The UK is a country renowned for the high quality of its medical and dental care. Although expensive, the UK offers a satisfactory costs to value ratio for the experience. And while the country offers a wide scope of cutting-edge treatments, in this article we will focus on dentistry and specifically what veneers cost in the UK.
Cosmetic dentistry has become an essential practice in the average life of the modern human. In fact, we can go as far to say that having a beautiful smile has went from being an admirable trait to a key factor for success.
Research shows that having a beautiful smile brings a massive effect on how people perceive you. For one, people with nice smiles are considered more approachable and trustworthy. This gives the wearers of the charming smiles a major advantage not only in social settings but professional ones as well.
As a result, cosmetic dentistry in general rose into popularity. From procedures that brighten smiles to those that fix and mend; down to having effective solutions for replacing missing teeth. In modern dentistry, there is not a single dental problem that does not have a quick and long-lasting solution, much to our convenience.
And in this article we’ll only talk about veneers, what they are and their applications in addition to what veneers cost in the UK.
What are veneers?
Veneers are one of many procedures that dentists use in cosmetic dentistry to achieve flawless smiles. Veneers rarely have any medical uses and the procedure services mostly for aesthetic purposes. For those who are unfamiliar with veneers, they’re the films that dentists use for the Hollywood Smile procedure. The procedure gets its name from its prevalence in the entertainment industry among actors and performers.
Most celebrities and A-listers wear veneers because they are about the only procedure that can radically change your smile. The slim film-like veneers are usually made from porcelain. But although porcelain is the most popular option for veneers, they come in resin as well.
Many people assume that veneers go over all the teeth; but it doesn’t work that way. Veneers are only for the front teeth and they don’t go over the molars. So that would be the first six to eight teeth on the upper jaw and another six to eight on the lower jaw. These veneers are cemented to the surface of your natural teeth and are there to hide all your mishaps.
On the other hand, what goes on the molars, are crowns.
What are the different types of veneers?
There are currently 3 main types of veneers in dentistry. Each type comes with its unique set of pros and cons. In most cases, your dentist will take part in the decision making process as well.
Now, let us dig into the ins and outs of the different veneer types and their pros and cons.
1- Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are the mot popular type of veneers on the market. This type of veneer is sometimes referred to as ceramic or laminate veneers. And as their name suggests, this type of veneers are made from porcelain, a very strong materials that is easy to customize.
porcelain veneers are the superior option when it comes to the Hollywood Smile. In many aspects, they simply take the crown.
Take for example durability, porcelain veneers are the most durable lasting for around 15 to 20 years. In terms of customization, again porcelain wins as it can be easily personalized. Better yet, this type of veneers are compatible with the CAD/CAM technique which we’ll talk about shortly.
This type of veneers is also not prone to staining and can look fresh for over a decade. But it is still advisable to avoid staining beverages when possible.
Most of the benefits that come with porcelain veneers is due to their thickness. These shells come at a thickness of 0.7 mm which makes them durable and resistant to chipping and breakage. On the other hand, your dentist will have to shave down your teeth to make space for the veneers. Otherwise they would look very bulky and unpleasant.
2- Lumineers
Lumineer veneers are the new black now. In a sense, lumineers are just a variation of the traditional veneers. For instance, lumineers are also made of porcelain. They are also compatible with the CAD/CAM technology. But the only twist on the traditional porcelain veneers here is that lumineers are much slimmer.
Lumineers veneer films come at a thickness of 0.3 mm instead of the usual 0.7 mm. Of course, this feature although small actually tips the scales. On the bright side, shaving your enamel is no longer an important step. Your dentist can directly place the lumineers on your teeth without any initial preparations.
On the down side, lumineers are not as durable as traditional porcelain veneers. Lumineers can last up to 12 years maximum if you take care of them. Because they are slimmer, they are slightly more prone to breakage and chipping than traditional porcelain veneers.
But aside from that, you have to remember that because of their sliminess, lumineers are not as high coverage as the other types of veneers. So severe pigmentation, crowding and other issue that is extreme probably can not be corrected by lumineers. This type of veneers is mostly ideal for mild to moderate cases.
3- Composite Veneers
Composite veneers are another common type of veneers that people use for their smile makeovers. Many people would consider composite veneers the practical and cost efficient choice of the options.
Composite veneers are made of resin, which is a more affordable material than porcelain. Resin is also clay like and for this reason this type of veneers has two application techniques. One is direct, where your dentist places the clay like material on your tooth and begin shaping it into the ideal veneer shape.
Then you have the indirect method where your dentist either shapes your veneers in the office but outside your mouth; or they can send your impressions to a laboratory to design your veneers.
This type of veneers is also customizable in terms of color and your dentist will consider all the aspects that will give you a natural result. Many assume that because it is clay-like, shaving your teeth is not an important step in the composite veneers process. But that is just a common misconception.
Shaving is still a necessary part of the process in composite veneers. In terms of lifespan, this type of veneers can last anywhere between 7 to 10 years. They are also the most prone to staining and chipping, so you will have to be slightly more careful with these options.
How much do veneers cost in the UK?
What veneers cost in the UK depends on multiple factors. There are three different types of veneers that each comes at a different pricing. We will discuss what each of these veneers cost in the UK.
We will list the average prices, but the actual fees will vary from clinic to clinic. It is best to contact the clinic you’re interested in to inquire about the fees and cost. You can then compare that with the average veneers cost in the UK to see if it is a fair price.
It is pertinent to mention that our new dental consultation center in the UK is a dedicated one-stop destination where our patients will be able to obtain comprehensive information about dental tourism and make informed decisions about their dental needs. By offering such a space, we ensure that our patients have direct access to all the information they require. We believe that this approach makes it easier for our patients to understand the dental tourism process and gain clarity when it comes to choosing from the treatment options.
1- Porcelain Veneers Cost in the UK
Let’s explore the average veneers cost in the UK for the most popular type of veneers. Porcelain veneers are what makes the smiles of your favorite celebrities. These also go by the names laminate veneers and traditional veneers. They are, as their name suggests, made from porcelain. Other things to know about porcelain veneers is that they are 0.7 mm thick. And this thickness is important as it affects the procedure. Because they are thick, if your dentist directly applies them to your teeth, they would look bulky. For this reason, it is important to file down a layer of your enamel. This creates room for your veneers and when your dentist cements them on the surface of your teeth, they would fit in naturally.
Porcelain veneers have a longevity of around 15 to 20 years; they’re highly durable, look natural, and most importantly feel natural. Because they come from porcelain, these types of veneers are compatible with the CAD/CAM technology, a cutting-edge practice that allows you get your veneers instantly. Of course, if you’re unfamiliar with the procedure, you should know that the older techniques for veneers meant longer treatment periods. Most patients would get them within 4 to 6 weeks from the start of treatment. This is because they get made in laboratories. But the CAD/CAM uses 3D printing to make your veneers immediately and it is extremely customizable and relies on artificial intelligence to design your veneers.
What porcelain veneers cost in the UK ranges between $1,300 to $1,700 per veneer. In the UK, the pricing system charges per tooth. So for a full set of veneers you will need around $15,600 to $20,400. What the veneers cost in the UK doesn’t include other services. For instance, you will need to use a few of the clinic’s facilities like the x-ray machine for instance. Likewise, it doesn’t factor in the consultation fees. So the total veneers cost in the UK will be more than you expect.
2- Composite Veneers Cost in the UK
Composite veneers are the cost-efficient option of the veneers. These are not made from porcelain and are instead made of resin. Resin is a clay-like material that your dentist can shape into veneers.
The reason they’re more affordable than other options is because resin is generally cheaper. But, although cheaper it still provides really natural results. Resin is also very durable and highly customizable.
But because they are not made from porcelain, composite veneers are not compatible with the CAD/CAM system. But, that doesn’t mean you cannot get them immediately. There are two methods for placing composite veneers. On the one hand, you have the indirect method where your dentist sends your impressions to another laboratory. For the laboratory to make your veneers, it would take around four to six weeks total.
The direct method, on the other hand, involves applying the resin material to your teeth directly. And then, your dentist will begin to shape them on your teeth. Of course, your veneers will be color matched as well. After application, your dentist will expose the resin to blue light to harden the material.
The average composite veneers cost in the UK ranges between $450 to $600 per tooth. Similar to what porcelain veneers cost in the UK, composite veneers cost in the UK works per veneer. So for a full set you’re looking to pay anywhere between $5,400 and $7,200 give or take. Of course, you must keep in mind that the veneers cost in the UK we have listed here is exclusive for the veneers alone. You should expect additional fees to be part of payment depending on your need to use clinic facilities, consultation fees, and dentist fees. So all in all, the complete payment would perhaps cost more than you expect. For this reason, we suggest you inquire directly from the clinics to find out how much composite veneers cost in the UK.
3- Lumineer Veneers Cost in the UK
Lumineers are the final type of veneers in the list. These are some what cutting-edge and are made from porcelain. They differ from the traditional veneers by being slimmer. The average thickness of lumineers is 0.3 mm which makes them slightly translucent. This features has its pros and cons. On the one hand, your dentist can directly apply the lumineers to your teeth. The filing process is not necessary as the lumineers can easily and naturally fit on top of your natural teeth.
The only downside to this is that they are not has high coverage as you’d expect traditional veneers to be. So this makes them suitable only in certain situations. Usually, this would includes cases with minor to moderate mishaps.
Because they are made from porcelain, they are compatible with the CAD/CAM system. So you can get them in a day if the clinic offers them. Otherwise, you can opt for the treatment the traditional way. Where you dentist will take an impression of your mouth and send it to an off-site laboratory to get your lumuneers. This would take anywhere between four to six weeks.
The average lumineer veneers cost in the UK ranges between $900 to $1,200 per tooth. So for a full set of lumineers, you’d expect the veneers cost in the UK to average around $10,800 to $14,400 minimum.
Lumineers cost less than traditional veneers because they are slimmer and use less material to make generally.
But similar to other procedures, the average lumineer veneers cost in the UK doesn’t cover additional services. So to get an idea of the full veneers cost, you will have to inquire about the costs for using the x-ray machine, dentist fees, and consultation fees directly the clinic.
What to do if you find veneers cost in the UK expensive?
If you think what veneers cost in the UK are not very affordable, you are not alone. Although the quality of care is undeniably excellent in the UK, the costs can be too much for many patients. For this reason, health tourism is becoming a global trend. Patients from countries like the UK and the USA are seeking cosmetic abroad where certain destinations have become famous for being affordable and high-quality.
For instance, what veneers cost in Turkey on average is a lot less than what veneers cost in the UK. You would expect the cost of veneers to be around $2500 for a complete set not just per tooth. And that is significantly less than what veneers cost in the UK.
Additionally, these fees cover far more services than you’d expect. In fact, you can get a free online consultation before arriving Turkey for instance. These consultations can be great for patients to seek preliminary advice for their concerns.
Likewise, the costs in Turkey also cover x-ray imaging and in person consultation as well. The x-ray imaging is very important because it helps identify any rising issues and correct them before they progress into something more serious.
Among other reasons veneers in Turkey is a trend is the hospitality of the industry. Many clinic offers luxury services that give patients a comfortable experience. For instance, at Dentakay; we provide airport reception for our international patients. Furthermore, we provide deluxe accommodation in a 5-start hotel for the duration of your treatment. As for transportation, we also offer that; where we’ll cover your rides between clinic and hotel. In regards to the language barrier, that is never an issue with our patients as we host among our team professional interpreters who speak various languages.
CEREC veneers cost in the UK
CEREC veneers are veneers that work with the CAD/CAM technology. This technology uses computer-assisted cameras connected to a 3D printer. The camera functions to take impressions of your mouth. The footage is taken from inside your mouth as well as the outside. The software then studies this footage and takes all this information into consideration while designing your veneers.
The 3D printer then prints your veneers immediately. This technique is a breakthrough. Especially since in the past, the process of getting your veneers was not always time efficient. But now, the whole process can be over in as little as a day of two.
In regards to what the CEREC veneers cost in the UK, there is not enough data about thus online. Especially since the technique is very cutting-edge. But you can expect the CEREC veneers cost in the UK to be slightly more than the average for the normal methods.
Read more: What Veneers Cost in Turkey & What to Expect
The Takeaway
Veneers are among the most sought-after treatments in cosmetic dentistry. The procedure can completely change your smile for the better. If you’re interested in veneers and want to learn more about them, kindly contact us. In a free online consultation, we’ll address all your concerns.
