Veneers cover the visible surface of the tooth and correct its shape, colour and position. They are an aesthetic solution, not one that repairs a diseased tooth — which is why the first conversation is about whether you need them.
A veneer is a thin shell of ceramic or composite bonded to the front surface of the tooth. It changes what can be seen: the shade, the shape, the length, minor misalignments and gaps between the teeth.
What a veneer does not do: it does not treat decay, it does not resolve a periodontal problem and it does not correct a faulty bite. On unhealthy foundations, a veneer hides the problem and postpones it. With us, every aesthetic case starts with an assessment of the health of the teeth and gums.
EMAX ceramic veneers are the most widely used option. Lithium disilicate has good strength and a translucency close to that of enamel; the veneers are made in the laboratory from a digital impression and require minimal preparation of the tooth.
Feldspathic veneers are layered by hand by the technician and remain the most natural-looking option. They are thinner and more demanding to make, so they are used where the aesthetic result matters most.
Direct composite veneers are built up in the clinic, in a single visit, directly on the tooth. They cost less and need no laboratory, but they stain over time and have a shorter lifespan than ceramic.
The price is quoted per tooth, not per treatment, because the number of veneers varies enormously from case to case. One person corrects two incisors; another redoes the whole area visible when smiling, which means eight or ten teeth.
The difference between materials comes from how they are made. Composite is worked directly in the clinic. Ceramic goes through the laboratory, with an impression, a try-in and individual characterisation, and feldspathic veneers are layered by hand, layer by layer.
The table on this page shows current prices, taken from the clinic's catalogue. The final amount is set after the simulation, when it is clear exactly how many teeth are included in the plan.
The first stage is the assessment: X-ray, the condition of the gums, the bite and any existing restorations. If decay or inflammation is found, it is treated first, not afterwards.
Next comes the simulation. Based on photographs and the scan, a digital proposal is created, and the mock-up is tried in directly in the mouth. You can see and approve the shape before the dentist touches your teeth — this is the moment to say “shorter” or “less white”, not at the end.
Once you agree, minimal preparation is carried out, impressions are taken and provisional veneers are fitted. The final veneers are tried in, adjusted and bonded adhesively. One or two weeks usually pass between stages, depending on the laboratory.
Untreated bruxism is the first reason we decline. A patient who grinds at night fractures the ceramic, and a veneer bonded to a tooth under abnormal forces will not hold. The cause is treated first, with a night guard, and only then do we discuss aesthetics.
Significant misalignment is corrected orthodontically, not with prosthetics. Only small deviations can be masked with veneers; beyond that threshold, masking requires excessive reduction of healthy teeth, which can never be undone.
Active periodontal disease, untreated decay and poor oral hygiene rule out veneers for the time being. Not out of rigidity, but because the restoration would be built on foundations that are changing beneath it.
Ceramic veneers have a lifespan measured in years, with high survival rates reported in long-term studies, provided hygiene is good and there is no bruxism. Composite needs renewing more often.
Ceramic does not stain the way natural enamel does, but the surrounding gum and the uncovered teeth change over time. Check-ups and professional cleaning keep the veneer margin clean, and the margin is exactly where problems arise.
A detail that surprises many people: veneers cannot be whitened. If you whiten your natural teeth after the veneers are fitted, the veneers keep the same shade and the difference becomes visible. That is why whitening is done before, not after.
Indicative fees for dental veneers at Smile by Ada, Bucharest. The final price is confirmed at your consultation and depends on the complexity of your case.
EMAX veneer
Premium feldspathic veneer
Direct composite veneers
Fees are charged in Romanian lei (RON). Euro amounts are approximate, at today's National Bank of Romania rate.
See all dental prices →Dr. Ada Epistatu
Founder & Senior consultant dentist · Aesthetic dentistry
The conversation starts from your face, not from a photo found online. Together we choose a shape and shade that look natural with your features, and if a case cannot be solved aesthetically, we say so from the start.
How much does a dental veneer cost?
The price is per tooth and varies with the material: direct composite is the most affordable option, EMAX ceramic sits in the middle, and premium feldspathic veneers, layered by hand, are the most expensive. The table on this page shows the current amounts, taken from the clinic's catalogue.
How many veneers do I need?
It depends on how much shows when you smile. Some cases need two teeth, others eight or ten. The number is set at the simulation, when you see the proposal on your own face, not before.
Are teeth filed down for veneers?
Yes, but minimally. Ceramic needs space so that the tooth does not end up artificially bulky. There are also situations where preparation is almost zero, but this is decided after the assessment, not promised in advance.
Can veneers be whitened?
No. Ceramic keeps the shade chosen, so natural teeth are whitened before the veneers are fitted. If you whiten afterwards, the difference in shade becomes visible.
How long do dental veneers last?
Ceramic veneers have high long-term survival rates in published studies, provided hygiene is good and there is no bruxism. Composite has a shorter lifespan and needs renewing more often.
Can I have veneers if I grind my teeth?
Not before the bruxism is treated. Abnormal forces fracture ceramic. We start with a protective night guard, and aesthetics are discussed once the parafunction is under control.
Veneers or crowns?
A veneer covers only the visible surface and preserves much more of the natural tooth. A crown covers the tooth completely and is used when it is broken down, root-filled or weakened. The choice is dictated by the condition of the tooth, not by aesthetic preference.
The information above is for education only and does not replace a medical consultation.