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Veneers / Hollywood Smile

Thin porcelain or composite shells bonded onto the front of teeth to mask discolouration, chips and minor misalignment for a uniform, lighter smile.

Cosmetic Anterior teeth (labial surfaces) Avg. stay 7 days 1 clinic From $490

Overview

Dental veneers are thin, custom-fabricated facings bonded onto the labial surfaces of anterior teeth to mask discolouration, chipping, mild crowding or worn enamel. The "Hollywood smile" treatment plan is a set of typically eight to twenty veneers placed across the upper and lower anterior teeth to create a uniform, brighter and aesthetically harmonious smile. Veneers are an elective cosmetic treatment and are not normally available on the NHS. Porcelain veneers, also called ceramic or feldspathic veneers, are fabricated in a dental laboratory from impressions or intraoral scans of the prepared teeth, while composite veneers are sculpted directly on the tooth at the chairside. NHS patient information describes the procedure: approximately 0.5-0.75 mm of enamel is removed from the labial surface, an impression is taken, a temporary veneer is fitted, and at a second visit the porcelain veneer is bonded with adhesive resin cement. No-prep or minimal-prep options exist for selected cases. Veneers are recommended for patients with intact tooth structure, healthy periodontium and no parafunctional bruxism that would fracture the ceramic. Lifespan is typically 10-15 years for porcelain veneers with good oral hygiene and a night-guard if needed. International patients commonly complete the full course in 5-10 days, allowing time for preparation, laboratory fabrication and try-in/bonding. Sources: NHS, NIH dental literature, MedlinePlus dental health.

Hospital & stay

2–3 nights

Hospital stay

7 days

Total stay abroad

Cosmetic

Procedure type

Procedure details

How it's performed

After a digital smile design and shade selection, the dentist administers local anaesthesia and gently reduces approximately 0.5-0.75 mm of labial enamel from each tooth. An optical scan or impression is taken and sent to the laboratory; temporary acrylic veneers are placed on the prepared teeth. At a second visit several days later, the porcelain veneers are tried in, the prepared tooth surfaces are etched, primed and a resin cement is used to bond each veneer; excess cement is removed, the bite is checked, and the margins are polished.

Preparation

1Comprehensive dental examination, periodontal assessment and full-mouth radiographs.
2Treat any active caries, periodontal disease or root-canal pathology before veneer preparation.
3Digital smile design with photographs, intraoral scan and a wax-up or mock-up to preview the result.
4Shade selection with the dentist and laboratory technician.
5Construct a night-guard for patients with bruxism and discuss long-term maintenance.

Recovery

1Day 0: Mild gum tenderness and sensitivity to cold; eat soft foods on the day of preparation and bonding.
2Days 1-3: Sensitivity gradually settles; avoid very hot, cold or staining foods.
3Days 3-7: Bonding appointment and bite refinement; check margins and occlusion.
4Weeks 1-2: Hygiene review; reinforce daily flossing and use of non-abrasive toothpaste.
5Months 1-6: Routine maintenance visit to check seating and bonding integrity.
6Annual: Hygiene visits, occlusal check and night-guard renewal if needed.

Clinics offering Veneers / Hollywood Smile

Doctors performing Veneers / Hollywood Smile

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Clinical evidence on dental veneers

12 peer-reviewed sources

Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells, most commonly ceramic, bonded to the front of teeth to improve color, shape, and alignment, the combination often marketed as a Hollywood smile. Systematic reviews and long-term clinical studies report high survival rates for well-made ceramic veneers, frequently exceeding 90 percent over five to ten years, with feldspathic and lithium-disilicate materials among the best documented. The evidence identifies the main causes of failure as fracture, debonding, marginal discoloration, and secondary decay, and highlights that minimally invasive preparation, immediate dentin sealing, and sound bonding protocols are associated with better outcomes. Patient satisfaction with esthetic results is generally high in the published literature, and digital smile design is increasingly studied as a planning tool. The references below are peer-reviewed and provided for general education, not as a substitute for an individual dental assessment.

Survival and Complication Rates of Feldspathic, Leucite-Reinforced, Lithium Disilicate and Zirconia Ceramic Laminate Veneers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Klein P et al. · Journal of esthetic and restorative dentistry : official publication of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry ... [et al.] · 2025
Systematic review & meta-analysisPMID 39523553 DOI
Clinical Complications and Survival Rate of Resin Matrix Ceramic Restorations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Alghauli MA et al. · Journal of esthetic and restorative dentistry : official publication of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry ... [et al.] · 2025
Systematic review & meta-analysisPMID 40186393 DOI
Conventional Versus Minimally Invasive Veneers: A Systematic Review.
Meer Rownaq Ali AB · Cureus · 2023
Systematic reviewPMID 37799216 DOI
Marginal Adaptation of Veneers: A Systematic Review.
Badami V et al. · Cureus · 2022
Systematic reviewPMID 36579272 DOI
Clinical Performance and Survival Outcomes of Milled Versus Pressed Lithium Disilicate Veneers: A Systematic Review.
Sudharson NA et al. · Journal of esthetic and restorative dentistry : official publication of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry ... [et al.] · 2025
Systematic reviewPMID 41024714 DOI

Compiled from peer-reviewed medical literature indexed on PubMed. This overview is for general education and is not medical advice. · Last updated 2026-06-15