Cosmetic dentistry

Veneers and smile makeovers

The best smile makeovers are the ones you cannot tell were done. Not a row of identical, ultra-bright veneers, but a genuinely improved smile that looks like it has always been yours. Natural, confident, and right for your face.

Book a smile consultation Watch Annabelle's film

Porcelain or compositechosen to suit you
Digital smile designsee the plan first
Minimal preparationas little tooth removed as possible

Dr Luke Hutchings matching a shade with a patient

At the practice

Precision mattersAnnabelle's veneers took less than half a millimetre from her own teeth

About veneers and makeovers

A smile that looks like you, just better

What veneers are

Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin bonded to the front of the teeth. They can change the colour, shape, size and proportion of teeth, individually or as part of a complete smile design.

Porcelain veneers are made in a laboratory and offer exceptional aesthetics and longevity. Composite veneers, or composite bonding, can often be completed in a single visit and are a more conservative, cost-effective option for the right cases. Neither is automatically better; the right choice depends on what you want to achieve, the condition of your teeth and your budget.

Composite bonding

Bonding is a minimally invasive option for chips, gaps and small shape corrections. Tooth-coloured composite is sculpted directly onto the tooth and polished to a natural finish, usually in one appointment, with little or no preparation of the tooth. It is a good option for younger patients and smaller corrections, and it can be maintained and repaired more easily than porcelain.

What makes a good smile design

It is both art and science. The shape, length, proportion and shade of each tooth need to be precise, and the result has to suit your face, skin tone, lip line and personality. We use digital smile design to show you what we are planning before any treatment begins. You are part of the design, and we will not go ahead with anything irreversible until you are happy with what has been proposed.

A full smile makeover

A makeover is a combined plan, often orthodontics first, then whitening, then the least cosmetic work needed to refine the result. Done in that order, less veneer is needed and the long-term outcome is better. Where appropriate, we work together to plan and deliver your care, combining our knowledge to give you a considered, personalised approach built around your needs.

Read the transcript

So I actually saw an adverb for Clear Dentistry on Facebook and decided to sort of venture out and find it myself. Really, really appreciated all the advice I was given, came in for a root canal that I'd had done previously that I wasn't happy because the tooth was really discoloured. And Chris actually talked me through veneers which I hadn't thought of as an option before and also some discoloration on my two front teeth which I really wasn't happy with. They weren't being affected by the teeth whitening that I was having done either. It's definitely the right practice to come to if you want some kind of cosmetic treatments done. I've had other treatments here but definitely the precision and the accuracy for my veneers was perfect. I was quite worried because I thought a lot of my teeth underneath the veneers would be damaged but the precision of it is less than half a millimetre of my actual tooth was removed so that made a massive difference to me. I'm so much more confident. I used to actually use an app to whiten my teeth because I was so affected by it so it's just made it so easy. I'm not afraid to smile in photos anymore with my mouth open because I'm just so happy with the results.

Patient story · 1:20

“The precision of it is less than half a millimetre of my actual tooth was removed. I'm not afraid to smile in photos anymore.”

Annabelle came in with a root-filled front tooth that had discoloured and would not respond to whitening. Veneers were planned with as little preparation as possible, and she describes the difference it has made to her confidence.

Common questions

How long do veneers last?

Porcelain veneers, with good care, can last ten to fifteen years or more. Composite bonding typically has a shorter life but can be maintained and repaired more easily. We will give you an honest expectation based on your case, and advise on how to look after the result.

Do veneers damage your natural teeth?

It depends on the type of veneer and the case. Some porcelain veneers need a small amount of tooth preparation; composite bonding usually needs little or none. We never grind down healthy teeth unnecessarily, and if bonding is the right option for you we will recommend it.

Will veneers look natural, or will people be able to tell?

We design results that look like the best version of your own teeth, not a row of identical, ultra-bright veneers. Digital smile design shows you the plan before anything begins, and we will not proceed with anything irreversible until you are completely happy with it.

What's the difference between composite bonding and porcelain veneers?

Bonding is applied directly to the teeth and can often be completed in a single visit. It is more conservative and more affordable, and suits the right cases well. Porcelain veneers are made in a laboratory and offer exceptional aesthetics and longevity. Neither is automatically better; the right choice depends on what you want, the condition of your teeth and your budget.

Are veneers cosmetic or restorative?

Both. Veneers are usually classed as cosmetic because they change appearance, but they also protect worn or damaged tooth surfaces. We look at function as well as aesthetics when deciding whether veneers are right for you.

Clinically reviewed by Dr Luke Hutchings (GDC 80772), 14 October 2026.

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