Thin shells that sit over the front of a tooth to change its colour, shape or size. They are a popular way to cover chips, close small gaps and even up a smile. We offer them in porcelain and in composite, and we help you pick the one that suits your teeth and your budget.
Tell us when suits and we will call you back to arrange it. No obligation.
Treatment Overview
What is aVeneers?
A veneer is a thin, custom-made shell that covers the front surface of a tooth. It is bonded to the front of the tooth to change its colour, shape, size or length. Because a veneer only covers the front, it is a fairly conservative way to change how a tooth looks, without doing much to the tooth itself.
Veneers suit people who want to make small, careful changes to teeth that are basically healthy. They are often used for slight crowding, unevenly sized teeth, discolouration, small gaps and spacing, chips or fractures, and worn-down teeth. To get a good, lasting result, it helps to have healthy teeth and gums and a good daily cleaning routine, so the teeth underneath stay sound. We offer two types, and the right one depends on your teeth and what you want. Porcelain veneers are made in a dental laboratory and then bonded to your teeth. They take a few weeks, because of the lab stage, and they cost more, but they are hard-wearing and hold their colour well over time.
Composite veneers are built up on the tooth in the practice using a tooth-coloured resin, usually in a single visit. They cost less and involve very little of the tooth, but the material is not as hard- wearing or as stain-resistant as porcelain. Composite veneers use the same material so if you are only changing one or two teeth, we may talk to you about bonding instead. We will always tell you honestly which option suits your teeth and your budget, rather than push you towards the most expensive one.
Veneers can help with
Slight crowding
Unevenly sized teeth
Tooth discolouration
Small gaps and spacing
Chips or fractures
Worn-down teeth
Porcelain or composite
Porcelain is made in a lab and takes a few weeks
Porcelain is hard-wearing and holds its colour
Composite is built up in the practice, often in one visit
Composite costs less but is less stain-resistant
Both are matched to the colour of your own teeth
We help you choose the one that suits you
Book your appointment
A new patient examination is £92,
including any X-rays you need. We can check whether veneers are right for you at the same visit.
We check your teeth and gums are healthy, talk through what you want to change, and tell you honestly whether veneers are the right answer, and whether porcelain or composite suits you better.
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Preparing the tooth
For porcelain veneers, we usually remove a small amount of enamel from the front of the tooth so the veneer sits flush and does not change your bite. We take digital impressions in the practice, so there is no need for messy putty.
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Made to fit
Porcelain veneers are made in a dental laboratory, which normally takes two to three weeks, and we fit temporary veneers while you wait. Composite veneers are built up on the tooth in the practice, usually in a single visit.
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Fitting and aftercare
We bond the veneers in place and check they feel right. After that, you care for them like your own teeth: daily brushing and cleaning between the teeth, a healthy diet and routine check-ups. If you grind your teeth at night, we may suggest a nightguard, and a mouthguard is wise for contact sport.
Longer appointments, so we can talk through your concerns and give you a break if you need one.
Almost pain-free injections
The Wand numbs you without the big needle or the sting. Most patients are surprised how easy it is.
Digital X-rays
We diagnose faster, more accurately and with far less radiation than older film.
A hand to hold
Bring a partner in, or hold a nurse's hand. If you ever need us, we respond the same day.
About Waterside Dental
Your private dental practicein Hythe.
Waterside Dental is a private practice in Hythe, owned and led by principal dentist Dr Nikos Louskos since 2017. It has recently been refurbished to feel more like home than a clinic, and is run by a small, hand-picked team — so you'll always see a familiar face.
Care here is unhurried and patient-led. Appointments are longer so concerns can be talked through properly, treatment is explained in plain language, and nothing is rushed — with breaks during longer procedures whenever you need them.
We welcome private patients from Hythe and across Southampton — whether you're registering as a new patient or visiting for a single course of treatment while staying with your current dentist.
"I firmly believe that dentistry doesn't have to be unpleasant or scary, and that often it can be life-changing."
DR NIKOS LOUSKOS
Our Principal Dentist
Meet Dr NikosLouskos.
DDS · MSc Endodontics · GDC No. 102626
Principal dentist and practice owner, with a special interest in endodontics.
Dr Nikos Louskos qualified in Athens in 2005 and moved to the UK in 2006. He worked as an associate at Waterside before taking ownership of the practice in 2017.
In 2016 he completed a Master's in Endodontic Practice at Queen Mary University of London. He accepts referrals for complex root canal cases, which he treats under a microscope, and enjoys all aspects of general dentistry.
Nobody wants surprises after a dental visit. You'll get an itemised treatment plan with exact costs before anything begins, plus monthly payment options to spread the cost.
Finance is provided by Tabeo and is interest-bearing from 9.9% APR. Practice-plan discounts apply to selected treatments — full terms are listed on the Fees and Plans pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions patientsask us.
A few of the things patients ask us most often. If your question isn't here, just get in touch — we're happy to talk it through.
Both change the colour and shape of a tooth and both are matched to your own teeth. Composite is built up on the tooth in a single visit and costs less, but it is not as hard- wearing or as stain-resistant as porcelain. Porcelain is made in a laboratory, so it takes a few weeks and costs more, but it lasts longer and holds its colour. We will tell you honestly which suits your teeth and your budget.
Veneers and crowns are similar in that they can both be made from porcelain or ceramic and matched to your own teeth. The difference is how much they cover. A veneer is a very thin layer bonded to the front of the tooth, whereas a crown covers the whole tooth. You may need a crown if there is a lot of damage or discolouration. Your dentist can advise you on the right course of action for your needs.
For porcelain veneers we usually remove a small amount of enamel from the front of the tooth so the veneer sits flush. Composite veneers often need very little or none removed. Because a veneer only covers the front of the tooth, it is a more conservative option than a crown, which covers the whole tooth.
That is the aim. We match the colour, shape and size to your face and to the teeth next to them, so the result looks like your own teeth on a good day rather than obviously false. You have a say in the shade before we start.
Most people find it very comfortable. Where we need to numb a tooth to prepare it, we use The Wand, which numbs you without the big needle or the sting. Tell us if you are nervous and we will take it at your pace, with longer appointments and a hand to hold if you want one.
Well-made veneers last for years with good care, though no veneer is permanent and they can need replacing in time. Looking after them like your own teeth, with daily cleaning and routine check-ups, helps them last, as does a nightguard if you grind your teeth. We will give you simple aftercare advice and you can always call us.
Veneers work best on healthy teeth and gums, so we check that first. They suit people who want small, careful changes to teeth that are basically sound. If your teeth are heavily broken down, we may suggest a crown or another option instead, and we will explain why.
Care for veneers just like your natural teeth: daily brushing, cleaning between the teeth, a healthy diet and routine dental visits. If you grind your teeth at night, a nightguard is a good idea, and if you play contact sport, wear a custom mouthguard.
Yes. We are a private practice and we publish our prices, so you get an itemised cost before anything starts. You can pay using finance, and our Practice Plan lets you spread the cost of routine care across the year with a simple monthly payment.
Whether you'd like to book or just have a question about treatment, send us a message and a member of the team will get back to you — the same day wherever we can.
