Dental Practice, Kennington
Porcelain Veneers in Kennington
Veneers change the shape, size, colour and evenness of your front teeth in one go. They're the right answer for some people and overkill for others — we'll tell you which you are. £950 per tooth.
- E-MAX porcelain veneers £950 per tooth
- Minimal preparation of the natural tooth
- Shade matched to your own teeth
- Honest advice on cheaper alternatives
What are porcelain veneers?
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of ceramic bonded to the front surface of a tooth, changing its shape, size, colour and alignment without treating the whole tooth.
Think of it as a new front for the tooth rather than a cap over all of it. That's the difference between a veneer and a crown: a veneer covers the visible face, a crown covers the whole tooth. Veneers therefore involve much less of your natural tooth — but they still involve some, and that part doesn't grow back.
We use E-MAX porcelain, a ceramic that's strong enough to be made thin and translucent enough to catch light the way enamel does. That translucency is the difference between veneers people notice and veneers people just think are nice teeth.
What problems do veneers solve?
- Chipped or worn front teeth — particularly from grinding, where the edges have gone thin and uneven.
- Teeth that are the wrong shape or size, or one tooth that doesn't match its neighbour.
- Discolouration that whitening won't shift — staining from inside the tooth, or after root canal treatment.
- Small gaps between front teeth, where closing them with orthodontics isn't wanted.
- Slightly crooked or rotated front teeth, where the bite itself is fine and only the appearance needs correcting.
If your teeth are significantly crooked, straightening them with Invisalign first is usually better dentistry — and often means fewer veneers, or none at all. We'd rather tell you that than fit ten veneers to disguise a problem that could have been moved.
Veneers are tried in before they're bonded, so you see them in place and in daylight. Nothing is fixed permanently until you're happy.
Veneers or composite bonding?
This is the decision most people are actually weighing up, so here it is plainly. Bonding is cheaper and reversible; porcelain lasts longer and resists staining better.
| Composite bonding | Porcelain veneers | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per tooth | from £350 | £950 |
| Appointments | Usually one | Two — prepare, then fit |
| Natural tooth removed | Little or none | A thin layer, permanently |
| Reversible? | Usually yes | No |
| Stain resistance | Can pick up stain over time | Highly stain resistant |
| Typical lifespan | Several years, then refreshed | Longer — many years with good care |
| Best for | One or two chips, small reshaping, trying a change | Multiple teeth, worn edges, stubborn discolouration |
A reasonable approach, if you're unsure, is to start with bonding. It costs less, keeps your options open, and shows you what a change of shape looks like on your own face before anything permanent happens.
Step by step
What's involved in getting veneers
Consultation and assessment
We check the health of the teeth and gums, look at your bite, and talk about what you want to change. If grinding caused the wear, that gets addressed too — otherwise new porcelain meets the same force that damaged the enamel.
Planning the look
Shape, length and shade are planned with you, not decided for you. If you're whitening as well, that happens first so the porcelain can be matched to your final shade.
Preparing the teeth
A thin layer of enamel is removed from the front of each tooth so the veneer sits flush rather than looking bulky. You'll be numbed for this. Impressions go to the laboratory, and temporary veneers protect the teeth meanwhile.
Fitting
The veneers are tried in before they're bonded, so you can see them in place and in daylight. Only when you're happy are they bonded permanently and the bite adjusted.
Aftercare
Normal brushing and cleaning between the teeth, regular check-ups and hygiene visits. If you grind your teeth at night, a night guard (£280) protects your investment.
Prefer to talk? Call 0203 950 6620
The honest downsides
Veneers are a permanent commitment, and any dentist who tells you otherwise isn't being straight with you. Here's what you're agreeing to:
- It can't be undone. Enamel removed to make room for the veneer does not grow back, so the tooth will always need a veneer or crown from that point on.
- They will eventually need replacing. Well-made veneers last many years, but no dental work lasts forever, and replacement is at full cost.
- Porcelain can chip. It's strong, but it's ceramic. Biting nails, opening packaging with your teeth and untreated grinding are the usual causes.
- The shade is fixed. Veneers don't respond to whitening, so any whitening has to be done beforehand.
- Some short-term sensitivity to hot and cold after preparation is normal and settles.
None of that means don't have them. It means have them for a good reason, on healthy teeth, with a clear idea of what you're changing.
Fees
How much do veneers cost in Kennington?
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Porcelain veneer (E-MAX), per tooth | £950 |
| Composite bonding, per tooth | from £350 |
| Porcelain or metal-free crown | £950 |
| ZOOM whitening home kit | £395 |
| Night guard | £280 |
Most people have between four and eight veneers across the teeth that show when they smile — but there's no rule, and a single veneer on one tooth is a perfectly normal thing to have done.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much do porcelain veneers cost in London?
At Pure Elegant Smile a porcelain E-MAX veneer is £950 per tooth. Composite bonding, which is a less invasive alternative for small changes, starts at £350 per tooth.
How many veneers will I need?
It depends on how many teeth show when you smile — often between four and eight, but sometimes one. We'll look at your smile line and tell you the smallest number that gives an even result, not the largest number we could justify.
Do veneers ruin your teeth?
They don't damage healthy teeth, but they do change them permanently: a thin layer of enamel is removed so the veneer sits flush, and that enamel doesn't return. From then on the tooth will always need a veneer or crown. That's why veneers should be chosen for a reason, not on impulse.
How long do veneers last?
Well-made porcelain veneers last many years when they're looked after — daily cleaning, regular check-ups, and a night guard if you grind your teeth. They are not permanent, and they will need replacing eventually.
Does getting veneers hurt?
The teeth are numbed before they're prepared, so you shouldn't feel the treatment. Some sensitivity to hot and cold afterwards is normal while the temporaries are on, and it settles once the final veneers are bonded.
Can you whiten veneers?
No — porcelain doesn't change colour. That's why whitening is always done before veneers are made, so the new porcelain can be matched to the shade you're keeping.
Will my veneers look obviously fake?
Only if they're made the wrong shape or shade for your face. Porcelain that's matched properly and shaped to suit your mouth reads as good teeth, not as dental work. You'll see the veneers tried in before they're bonded, and nothing is fixed permanently until you're happy with them.
Are veneers available on the NHS?
Not for cosmetic reasons. Pure Elegant Smile is a private practice, and our veneer fee — £950 per tooth — is published in our fee guide.
Getting here
Veneers for patients across South East London
We're on Kennington Lane in SE11, between Kennington and Vauxhall stations. Patients come to us for veneers from Kennington, Vauxhall, Lambeth, Waterloo, Oval, Stockwell, Newington and Elephant & Castle, with evening appointments until 7pm four days a week.
Find out whether veneers are right for you
Come in and show us what bothers you. You'll get an honest answer about whether veneers are the right treatment — including when something simpler and cheaper would do the job.
Or call us on 0203 950 6620
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10am–7pm · Closed Wed, Sat, Sun97 Kennington Lane, London, SE11 4HQ
Reviewed by Dr Nader Gavgani, GDC 75484