Enhance · Changing how your smile looks
Veneers and crowns
Veneers and crowns both cover teeth, but for different reasons: veneers change how the front of a tooth looks, while crowns cover and protect a tooth that is heavily filled, broken or weakened.
Veneers
A veneer is a thin shell bonded to the front surface of a tooth to change its colour, shape or size. Placing a veneer often involves removing a thin layer of enamel, which cannot be replaced, so your dentist will talk through alternatives, such as whitening or bonding, first.
Crowns
A crown covers the whole visible part of a tooth. It may be suggested when a tooth is heavily filled, cracked or weakened, or to protect a tooth after root canal treatment.
Two types of ceramic crown are offered: zirconia, a very strong ceramic, and Emax, a glass-ceramic often chosen for how closely it can match neighbouring teeth. Your dentist will explain which suits the tooth concerned.
- Veneer
- A thin shell bonded to the front surface of a front tooth.
- Crown
- A cap covering the whole visible part of a tooth, down to the gum.
Your consultation
Your dentist will examine the tooth or teeth concerned, take X-rays if needed and explain the options, including what each involves and costs. You can take time to decide.
What happens
Preparation
The tooth is shaped under local anaesthetic.
Impressions or scans
Used to make a veneer or crown that fits your tooth.
A temporary
Where needed, a temporary protects the tooth while yours is made.
Fitting
Your veneer or crown is checked for fit, bite and appearance, then bonded or cemented.
Fees
- VeneersPer tooth, depending on the veneer.
- from £500
- Zirconia crown
- from £500
- Emax crown
- from £550
Private fee guide, September 2026. Where a fee is shown as “from”, the final cost depends on your treatment; your dentist will explain your options and their costs before any treatment begins. See all fees.
Questions
How long do veneers and crowns last?
No restoration lasts for ever. How long yours lasts depends on the material, your bite, habits such as grinding and how you look after your teeth. Your dentist can tell you what to expect.
Will it match my other teeth?
The shade is chosen to suit your neighbouring teeth. If you are considering whitening, it is usually done first, as crowns and veneers don’t change colour afterwards.
Related treatments
Talk it through with us.
Every treatment starts with a conversation. We’ll explain your options and their costs, and you can take the time you need to decide.