Composite Veneers: Treatment, Cost, and Care Guide

Composite Veneers: Treatment, Cost, and Care Guide

Composite veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment that can improve the look of your smile. This minimally invasive procedure bonds thin shells of resin material over your teeth to disguise flaws. Read on to learn about the composite veneer process, aftercare, costs, and alternatives.

What Are Composite Veneers?

Composite veneers are ultra-thin covers made of plastic resin and placed over the front surface of teeth. They are customized from composite material in a color matched to your natural teeth shade. The veneer shells bond directly to your teeth to conceal imperfections.

Unlike more intensive porcelain veneers, composite veneers don't require removing as much of the tooth surface. They offer an affordable and lower-commitment option for enhancing your smile.

The Composite Veneer Procedure

Getting composite veneers takes 2-3 visits:

First visit - The teeth are prepared by roughening the surface for bonding. Impressions or scans are taken. Temporary veneers may be placed.

Second visit - The custom veneers are tried on to ensure proper fit before bonding them to your teeth with a strong adhesive. The dentist meticulously shapes and polishes them.

Follow-up visit - Any final adjustments are made to your new composite veneers within 2-3 weeks after placement.

The process requires only surface preparation compared to more tooth reduction for porcelain veneers. Numbing medication is applied to keep you comfortable.

Caring for Your Composite Veneers

Proper care is important for longevity of your veneers:

• Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice daily and flossing once daily

• See your dentist promptly if you notice any damage, cracks, staining, or bonding issues

• Avoid biting your nails or chewing on hard items

• Wear a mouthguard if playing sports to prevent trauma

• Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings & monitoring

With proper home care and good oral habits, composite veneers can last 5-7 years before needing replacement.

Composite Veneer Pros

• Conservative Preparation Unlike porcelain alternatives, composites don’t require removal of healthy tooth enamel for placement.

• Cost-effectiveness Composite veneers in the UK cost about £250-£500 per tooth. They provide the most budget-friendly solution for achieving a brighter, more uniform-looking smile with veneers.

• Reversibility If you ever change your mind, composite bonding can be removed without damaging underlying tooth structure.

• Good Colour Match Ability Dentists layer composites to blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth for a natural-looking outcome.

• Fast Turnaround You can complete the composite veneer placement process in as little as one visit versus multiple lengthy appointments for other options.

Composite Veneer Cons

• Durability Issues Composite doesn’t provide the same resilience against cracks or fractures over decades the way dental materials like porcelain do. Proper oral care helps longevity though.

• Higher Maintenance

• Compared to other materials, composites show wear and often require replacement within 5-7 years to retain visual appeal and function.

• Not Ideal for Large Repairs For minor corrections only, composites have material strength limitations unfit for more significant repairs.

• Potential for Discolouration/Staining Over Time Certain lifestyle habits increase likelihood of composites dulling or adopting a darkened appearance that necessitates replacement sooner.

The Composite Veneer Procedure from Start-to-Finish

• Initial Consultation: We perform a smile assessment, listening closely to your cosmetic goals and needs. This helps shape an appropriate treatment plan.

• Tooth Preparation Teeth undergoing composite veneer placement may need slight roughening to allow for optimal resin bonding strength.

• Shade Matching: Composite resin comes in endless hues. We custom match veneer colouring to surrounding teeth for beautiful uniformity.

• Reshaping & Bonding We expertly shape composites to precise dimensions before curing them in place with special lighting technology. This attaches them securely to teeth.

• Finishing Touches Careful finishing and polishing ensures your new smile looks lustrous and seamlessly blended for an ultra-natural effect.

Securing Functional Beauty

A smile’s aesthetic appeal matters for self-confidence, but correctly contoured restorations also prove critical for protecting vulnerable tooth structure through proper force distribution. Our dentists prioritize both attractive and mechanically sound outcomes.

Cost of Composite Veneers in the UK

The typical cost for composite veneers in the UK ranges between:

• £300 - £600 per veneer

• £1,000 - £1,800 for a set of 6 front veneers

Factors affecting the cost include the dental office, the number of veneers needed, and any prep or touch-up work involved. Composite veneers are more affordable than ceramic.

Alternatives to Composite Veneers

Other options beyond composite veneers include:

• Teeth whitening - A more conservative option for discoloration issues.

• Dental bonding - Smaller resin restorations placed directly on portions of teeth.

• Porcelain veneers - More durable but require more tooth removal.

• Crowns - Required for covering more tooth surface area.

• Orthodontics - Can align mildly crowded or gapped teeth.

Consult an experienced cosmetic dentist regarding which smile enhancement options may be best for your particular goals and budget.

For affordable and quick composite veneers cost in the UK, contact the professionals at Thousand Smiles Dental Clinic today!