All 11 Clinics that provide Veneers in Northern Ireland

Veneers are one of the most effective ways of creating the “perfect smile”.  Not only can they be used to provide a bright smile, they can also fix chipping, uneven or spaced teeth.

Veneers have the added advantage of requiring only small amount of preparation, making them very attractive to the dental tourist. However they are one of the more expensive cosmetic dentistry procedures.

What are Dental Veneers?

A veneer is a thin layer of material, usually porcelain or plastic that is placed over the front teeth to change their shape and colour. Significant improvements in the appearance of individual teeth can be achieved with minor tooth preparation.

You might need veneers if:

• Your teeth are badly stained and tooth whitening is not an option
• Your teeth are chipped or have small holes in them
• Your teeth have an odd appearance (such as being unevenly spaced)
• You need a crown but veneers can often be a good alternative

Things to watch out for:

• If you grind or clench as this can break veneers
• Only getting a few veneers as matching colours with your existing teeth can be very difficult
• Your lips stick out. Although veneers are very thin they will have an effect on pushing out your lips further
• If you have an under bite this may chip the veneers on the upper teeth

What is the procedure like?

The first stage of the procedure is to prepare the teeth. This normally involves reducing them very slightly to allow for the veneer to sit correctly. A mould is then taken and sent for fabrication to a laboratory.

In this instance, you should be provided with temporary veneers, which should give you a good idea of the eventual outcome. In some case the dentist may be able to create the veneers in the surgery.

At the second visit, your dentist will check the veneers that have come back from the laboratory and adjust them as appropriate to achieve the best fit and colour.

What different types exist?

Composite
This can often be performed in a single visit to the dentist and are therefore an appealing option for the dental tourist. Composite veneers typically last between 5 and 7 years.

Porcelain
A very thin layer of porcelain is bonded to the teeth. Porcelain veneers require two visits as the veneers need to be fabricated in a laboratory. Porcelain veneers typically last 10 to 15 years.

Lumineer Porcelain
This is a new type of porcelain veneers and is made out of cerinate porcelain. They are incredible thin and require the least amount (sometime none at all) of tooth reduction to fit them and often there is no need for any anaesthetic. These veneers typically require two visits. 

What affects the price?

• The number of veneers you are getting
• The type of veneer
• The amount of preparatory work required
• The dentist selected

Price Comparison (Porcelain)

Price lists should always be viewed with caution as many factors can increase or decrease the resulting price. The follow list gives some indicative costs for porcelain veneers across the world:.

A guide to dentistry in Northern Ireland

The UK has some of the world's longest established medical and dental organizations. It has played a central role in shaping the ethical and scientific face of modern dental practice. The practice and structure of the profession in Britain serve as a model for many countries' dental profession.

Benefits of Northern Irish Dentistry

Our best dental destinations in Northern Ireland are: Belfast, Lisburn and Newry.

Regular checkups are a vital part of good oral healthcare and a local dentist is by far the best choice. A trusting relationship with your local dentist has emmense benefits: Dental emergencies can be dealt with by a healthcare professional who knows your medical history inside out. Even for more expensive treatments the value of this close working knowledge can far outweigh price considerations, ensuring an ongoing beneficial, oral regimen.

Dentists in the UK - Qualifications

A 5 year dental curriculum can be followed at any of UK's 13 dental schools. Successful graduates receive a Bachelor of Dental Science degree (BDS).

There are a large number of specialties that can be followed following standard dental practice including: Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, and Endodontics.

Dentists in the UK - Patient Rights

Organizations

The General Dental Council regulates the dental profession in the UK. It keeps an up-to-date register of dental professionals: dentists, dental nurses, clinical dental technicians, dental hygienists, dental technicians, dental therapists, and orthodontic therapists.

The British Dental Association is the primary representative organization for dentists in the UK.

Dental Ethics

The General Dental Council publishes ethical guidelines for the profession. These cover a dentists duty to continually update their skills, promote dental health, their duty to the profession and their patients as well as the proper manner in which to advertise their services and how to charge for treatment. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in censure, suspension or removal of the right to practice.

Continuing education

Mandatory, continuing education was introduced in 2001. 250 hours of training and seminars must be completed every 5 years to maintain the right to practice dentistry in the UK.

Complaints

There is a comprehensive system for dealing with complaints. The Dental Complaints Service (DCS) is the primary mechanism for patient complaints. Questions about a particular dentist's fitness to practice may be handled by the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) and judged against the Fitness to Practise Procedures (FTP). These are all under the auspices of the General Dental Council.

Data Protection

Resources

General Dental Council
37 Wimpole Street,
London,
W1G 8DQ

Tel: +44 (0)84 5222 4141
Fax: +44 (0)20 7224 3294
Email: ces@gdc-uk.org
Web: www.gdc-uk.org

Ethical Guidelines

Ethical guidelines of the GDC

British Dental Association
Web: www.bda.org

The Information Commissioner's Office
Web: www.ico.gov.uk

Dental Practice Board for England and Wales: http://www.dpb.nhs.uk

NHS dentist advice guide: www.adviceguide.org.uk/h_nhs_dental_treatment.pdf

Postgraduate and Specialty training: www.rcseng.ac.uk/ (Maintained by the Royal College of Surgeons)

Healthcare Commission: www.healthcarecommission.org.uk

World Dental Federation on the UK (including a list of all UK dental schools): www.fdiworldental.org/

Association of Dental Implantology: www.adi.org.uk

The biggest choice of veneers clinics in Northern Ireland with Prices, Patient Reviews, Maps. Everything you need to find the best veneers for you in Northern Ireland.