What are veneers?
Veneers — known in Dutch as facings — are thin shells of composite or porcelain placed on the front of teeth to improve their colour, shape or apparent position. With veneers the dentist corrects discoloured, chipped, worn or crooked-looking teeth and closes gaps between teeth — without a crown or braces. At Tandartspraktijk Voorschoten we place both composite veneers (usually completed in one visit, sculpted directly in the mouth) and porcelain veneers (custom-made in a dental laboratory).
Because a veneer only covers the visible front of the tooth, your own tooth remains almost entirely intact. That makes veneers one of the most tooth-friendly ways to enhance your smile.
Composite or porcelain: which veneer suits you?
The difference between composite and porcelain veneers lies in the material, treatment time and durability. Both are excellent solutions — which one suits you depends on your wishes, your teeth and your budget.
Composite veneers are modelled directly onto the tooth by the dentist, layer by layer, in a shade matched to your smile. This is usually done in a single visit, without grinding and without impressions. Composite is easy to repair and touch up, and is the more affordable option. The material can discolour slightly over the years and benefits from occasional polishing.
Porcelain veneers are custom-made in a dental laboratory and then cemented onto the tooth. Porcelain has a glass-like lustre closest to natural enamel, does not discolour, and lasts longest. Treatment takes 2 to 3 visits and costs more per tooth than composite.
Not sure? During the consultation we show you what each material would mean for your smile — honestly, including when our advice is to do nothing (yet).
When are veneers a good choice?
Veneers suit the most common cosmetic wishes for visible teeth. Consider veneers for:
- Discoloured teeth that no longer respond to whitening, for example after a root canal treatment or due to medication;
- Gaps between teeth (diastemas) you would like to close;
- Chipped or worn teeth and edges;
- Crooked-looking teeth you want to appear straighter without orthodontics;
- Uneven or short teeth whose shape or length you want to improve.
If your teeth are functionally misaligned, an orthodontic solution such as Invisalign may be wiser first — we discuss that openly too.
Veneers without grinding (no-prep)
No-prep veneers are veneers placed without grinding away healthy enamel. Composite veneers are generally no-prep by nature: the composite bonds directly to the intact tooth surface. Thin porcelain veneers can also be placed with no or minimal preparation when the tooth position is favourable.
The big advantage: your own tooth stays fully intact, the treatment is painless and anaesthesia is usually unnecessary. Not every bite suits no-prep — if teeth protrude or the bite is tight, some preparation is needed for a beautiful, durable result. You see what is possible in advance: we image your teeth with our 3D intra-oral scanner and go through the options together.
Are veneers bad for your teeth?
No — provided they are properly indicated and skilfully placed, veneers are not bad for your teeth. The question deserves an honest answer, though, because there are points to consider:
- Grinding is irreversible. Enamel removed for porcelain veneers does not grow back. That is why we work no-prep wherever possible and are conservative about grinding healthy teeth.
- Veneers need maintenance. Composite can discolour and wear; a veneer can chip on hard objects. Repair is almost always possible, but care remains your responsibility.
- Grinding and clenching shorten the lifespan. If you grind at night, we recommend a night guard.
- Not every wish is realistic. A maximally white, perfectly straight “Hollywood smile” does not suit every face and bite. We would rather advise a natural result that stays beautiful for years than a maximal result that quickly causes problems.
In short: the treatment is safe and tooth-friendly, but a good assessment beforehand is everything. That is exactly what the consultation is for.
The treatment step by step
- Consultation and examination. We discuss your wishes, assess teeth and gums and scan your teeth with the 3D intra-oral scanner. You hear honestly what is possible — and what we advise against.
- Treatment plan and written estimate. You receive a clear estimate in advance, so you know exactly what the treatment costs.
- Whitening (optional). If you also want whiter teeth, we whiten your teeth first, so the veneers are matched to the new shade.
- Placing the veneers. Composite veneers are sculpted directly in the mouth — usually in one visit. For porcelain veneers we take a digital impression; the laboratory crafts the shells, which we fit and cement in a second visit.
- Check-up and aftercare. We check bite, margins and gums and polish where needed. Maintenance then simply becomes part of your six-monthly check-up.
How long do veneers last?
With good oral hygiene, composite veneers typically last around 5 to 10 years and porcelain veneers 10 to 15 years. You largely determine the lifespan yourself: brush twice a day, clean between the teeth daily, avoid biting hard objects and come for check-ups twice a year. Composite veneers can be refreshed with a simple polish; small chips are usually repaired in one short visit.
What do veneers cost?
The cost of veneers depends on the material (composite or porcelain), the number of teeth and the complexity of your situation. Composite veneers are clearly more affordable per tooth; porcelain lasts longer and does not discolour. Dental tariffs in the Netherlands are nationally regulated (NZa tariffs) — for any treatment above €250 you receive a written estimate in advance by law, and at our practice also below that amount if you wish. You never decide based on a surprise afterwards.
Want to know what veneers would cost in your situation? Book a consultation: after the 3D scan and treatment plan you have an exact price on paper.
Insurance and reimbursement
Veneers for cosmetic reasons are not covered by the Dutch basic health insurance. If you have supplementary dental insurance, part of the treatment may be reimbursed depending on your policy — this differs per insurer and package. If a veneer is needed to restore a damaged tooth (after an accident, for example), reimbursement may be different. We are happy to help you check, and provide the estimate you can submit to your insurer.
Veneers in Voorschoten — English-speaking dental care
Tandartspraktijk Voorschoten places veneers for patients from Voorschoten and the surrounding region — Leiden, Wassenaar, Leidschendam-Voorburg and The Hague are minutes away from our practice at Schoolstraat 69, in the centre of Voorschoten. Our team is happy to help you in English, and many internationals from the Leiden and The Hague area find their way to us. We combine modern equipment such as the 3D intra-oral scanner with calm, personal attention: you know in advance exactly what will happen, what it costs and what result is realistic.
Not yet registered with us? We are accepting new patients — you can register easily online. Prefer to discuss your wishes first? Contact us for a veneer consultation.
