Porcelain veneers sit at the considered end of cosmetic dentistry. They are a larger commitment than composite bonding — in cost, in preparation, and in permanence — and the people who are happiest with them tend to be the ones who understood all three before starting. This article sets out the two questions we are asked most often: what veneers cost, and how long they last.
What porcelain veneers cost at Dental Retreat
Our veneer pricing is published in full, per tooth. A porcelain veneer is £995 per tooth for treatments involving one to seven teeth, and £895 per tooth for eight or more.
For context against the alternative many patients weigh up: composite bonding at Dental Retreat starts at £300 for a single tooth, with six teeth at £1,500. Veneers cost more because each one is individually crafted from porcelain in a dental laboratory and bonded permanently to a prepared tooth — a different proposition from composite, which is sculpted directly onto the tooth in a single visit. If you are deciding between the two, our comparison of composite bonding and porcelain veneers covers the trade-offs in detail.
Larger treatment plans do not need to be paid in one sum. Interest-free finance is available over up to 12 months, extending to 24 months interest-free for treatments over £3,000, with longer terms available at 9.9% representative APR.
How long porcelain veneers typically last
Porcelain veneers are generally regarded as one of the longest-lasting cosmetic treatments available. With good care, well-made veneers commonly last in the region of ten to fifteen years, and some last considerably longer. Porcelain resists staining in a way composite does not, and it holds its polish — the veneer you see in year ten should look very close to the veneer fitted in year one.
That said, no dental restoration is permanent, and no honest practice will guarantee a lifespan. Veneers eventually need replacing rather than topping up: because a small amount of enamel is usually removed to fit them, the treatment is not reversible, and a failed or aged veneer is replaced with a new one.
What shortens a veneer's life
The same forces that break natural teeth break porcelain. Grinding or clenching (bruxism) is the most significant risk — if you grind, a professionally made night guard is not optional, it is part of the treatment. Using teeth as tools, biting fingernails, chewing pens and crunching ice all concentrate force on edges that porcelain does not appreciate. Gum recession does not damage the veneer itself but can gradually expose the margin where it meets the tooth, which is an aesthetic rather than structural problem — and one reason gum health matters as much as the veneers.
What extends it
The unglamorous answer: ordinary, consistent care. Brushing twice daily with a non-abrasive toothpaste, daily cleaning between the teeth, regular hygiene visits, and routine examinations so that any small issue at a veneer margin is caught early. Veneers do not exempt the teeth beneath them from decay or the gums around them from disease — the porcelain is only ever as secure as the tooth it is bonded to.
Is the cost per year reasonable?
One useful way to think about veneer pricing is per year of service rather than per appointment. A treatment that lasts well over a decade prices very differently, viewed that way, from one requiring maintenance every few years. That does not make veneers the right choice for everyone — composite bonding is less invasive, reversible and cheaper upfront, and for many smiles it is the better fit. It simply means the honest comparison is lifetime cost and lifetime look, not the initial invoice alone.
Thinking about veneers in Canary Wharf?
For people working on the Canary Wharf estate or living nearby, the practical advantage of a local practice is follow-through: veneers involve a consultation, preparation and fitting appointments, and then years of routine reviews — all far easier to keep when the practice is minutes away rather than a trek across London.
Dental Retreat is a private dental practice at 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5NY. To ask whether veneers are right for you, or to book a consultation, visit our contact page.
FAQs
How much do porcelain veneers cost in Canary Wharf?
At Dental Retreat, porcelain veneers are £995 per tooth for one to seven teeth and £895 per tooth for eight or more, with full guide prices published on our fees page.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
With good care, porcelain veneers commonly last around ten to fifteen years, and sometimes longer. Lifespan depends heavily on grinding habits, gum health and routine maintenance — no practice can guarantee a fixed lifespan.
Are porcelain veneers reversible?
No. A small amount of enamel is usually removed to fit a veneer, so the tooth will always need a veneer (or similar restoration) afterwards. If reversibility matters to you, composite bonding is worth considering first.
Can I spread the cost of veneers?
Yes. Interest-free finance is available over up to 12 months, or up to 24 months for treatments over £3,000, with longer terms at 9.9% representative APR.
About the author
Written by the Dental Retreat clinical team
Our articles are written and reviewed by the GDC-registered clinicians who treat patients at our Canary Wharf practice. We write about the treatments we provide, and describe outcomes we can reproduce in our own surgery. Meet the team or book a consultation.