COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Porcelain veneers in Dubai
I’m Dr. Linda Joy Afif, a British dentist at Alma Polyclinic in Umm Suqeim, Dubai. If you’re considering porcelain veneers, I’ll help you decide whether they suit your teeth and what you’d like to change.
Can I improve my smile without shaving my teeth?
Sometimes, yes. It depends on what you’d like to change. Whitening may help with colour, aligners can move teeth, and composite bonding can add to a chipped edge or change a tooth’s shape. In selected cases, very thin porcelain veneers can be added without removing enamel. I’ll assess the position, colour and shape of your teeth and how they meet before recommending an option.
What’s the difference between non-prep and minimal-prep veneers?
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell that covers the front of a tooth. A non-prep veneer adds porcelain without deliberately removing enamel. A minimal-prep veneer involves removing a small amount of tooth structure to make room for the porcelain. Enamel removal is permanent. I’ll explain where preparation would be needed and why before you decide.
Compare the options in my guides to non-prep and minimal-prep veneers and bonding versus veneers.
Can my old veneers be replaced?
Often they can. I’ll check why you want them replaced, how well they fit and the condition of the teeth underneath. Sometimes the issue can be addressed without replacing every veneer. Alma Polyclinic offers laser-assisted removal of old porcelain veneers in suitable cases. We’ll assess whether it’s an option for you.
What happens at a veneers consultation?
We’ll discuss what you’d like to change, examine your teeth and gums, and check your bite. I’ll explain the options that suit your teeth, how much preparation each involves, and what to expect in terms of upkeep.
Can I try my new smile before touching my teeth?
Yes. A trial smile, also called a mock-up, lets you see how a proposed smile could look before any drilling or tooth preparation. I place temporary tooth-coloured material over your existing teeth so you can see how the proposed shape and length look when you smile. We can look at it together and discuss any changes you’d like before deciding whether to go ahead.
The trial smile appointment takes about half an hour and is a relatively inexpensive way to preview the proposed changes before committing to veneers.
An eight-tooth trial smile
In this example, I placed a temporary mock-up over eight upper teeth to give the patient an idea of how veneers could change their smile. No teeth were shaved or drilled for this preview.
These photos show the temporary trial smile before any veneer treatment.
See the patient journey with four veneers →
What affects the cost of veneers?
The fee for veneers covers the professional care that goes into planning, making and fitting them. I’ve undertaken extensive training in porcelain veneers in the United States, including at the Rosenthal Institute. That training informs how I plan your smile, preserve tooth structure and work with the dental ceramist.
- Bite assessment and planning. I check how your teeth meet and move against each other. This helps me plan the veneers around your bite and reduce the risk of chipping or fracture.
- Conservative tooth preparation. If preparation is needed, I aim to preserve as much enamel as possible while making enough room for the ceramic to fit naturally.
- Lab direction and ceramic artistry. I brief the dental ceramist on the shape, shade and details we’ve agreed on. A ceramist is a dental technician who specialises in ceramics, combining technical skill with an artistic eye for colour, translucency and surface texture. The choice of material, such as feldspathic porcelain or e.max lithium disilicate, can also affect the fee.
- Bonding and finishing. I carefully bond the veneers, remove excess cement around the gumline and check the bite again. These steps help protect the gums and support the long-term performance of the veneers.
Your quote also depends on how many teeth are involved, whether old veneers need to be removed and whether any other care is needed. You can ask what’s included in your estimate before deciding.
Still deciding? Read about cosmetic dentistry options in Dubai or book a dental second opinion.