Chipped, worn, uneven or discoloured teeth can make you hold back your smile. Veneers are thin, tooth-coloured layers bonded to the front of your teeth to change their shape, size, colour and alignment, giving you a natural-looking smile you feel confident showing.
At Dental Matters, we offer three types of veneers, and every one is digitally guided, from planning through to placement. You can choose the option that fits your goals, your timeline and your budget, knowing your result has been precisely designed before treatment begins.
Experience you can trust
Veneer treatment at Dental Matters is planned and performed by Dr Faraaz Mathir, BDS (Wits), who holds a Diploma in Advanced Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry. Every smile is designed around your face, your features and the result you want, not a one-size-fits-all template
Digitally guided, whichever veneer you choose
Every veneer treatment at Dental Matters starts with a digital plan. We use digital scans and photographs of your teeth and face to design your new smile on screen, refining the shape, length and proportions of each tooth to suit your features. That design then guides your treatment:
- Composite veneers are placed using a custom mould made from your digital design, so the shape we planned is transferred accurately to your teeth.
- Hybrid veneers are 3D-printed directly from your digital design for a precise, consistent fit.
- Ceramic veneers are crafted from your digital plan, so the final result matches the smile you approved.
Before treatment begins, we can place a trial smile, a temporary preview of your design worn over your own teeth, so you can see, feel and approve your new smile first. Digital guidance means more predictable results, a better fit, and no surprises.
Our veneer options
Composite veneers (bonding and injection moulding): short- to medium-term
Composite veneers use a high-quality, tooth-coloured resin bonded directly to your teeth. Your new smile is first designed digitally, and a clear custom mould made from that design is then used to transfer it accurately onto your teeth. This injection moulding technique gives a precise, consistent result rather than relying on freehand sculpting alone. Composite veneers:
- Are usually completed in 1 to 2 visits
- Need little or no removal of natural tooth structure
- Can be repaired or refreshed easily if they chip or stains
- Are the most affordable way to transform your smile
They're ideal if you want a fast improvement, are trying veneers for the first time, or want a short- to medium-term solution.
Hybrid 3D-printed ceramic veneers (no-prep): medium- to long-term
Hybrid veneers are made from an advanced ceramic-reinforced material and precisely 3D-printed from a digital design of your smile. Because they're so thin and accurate, they can usually be placed with no drilling or reshaping of your natural teeth. Hybrid veneers:
- Give you a premium, ceramic-like look without the cost of full ceramic veneers
- Require no preparation of your natural teeth in most cases
- Are more stain-resistant and durable than composite
- Are digitally designed and manufactured for a precise fit
- Typically last 5 to 8 years with good care
Hybrid veneers can't be repaired, so if one is damaged it is replaced. They're a great middle ground if you want a premium, longer-lasting result while keeping your natural teeth intact.
Ceramic (porcelain) veneers: long-term
Ceramic veneers are the gold standard in cosmetic dentistry. Each veneer is custom-crafted from high-strength porcelain that mimics the translucency and lustre of natural enamel, and it won't stain over time. Ceramic veneers:
- Offer the most natural-looking, lifelike result
- Are highly resistant to staining and wear
- Are the longest-lasting option, typically 6 to 10 years or more with good care
- Usually involve gentle reshaping of a thin layer of enamel for a precise fit
They're the best choice if you want a long-term smile transformation with the highest level of aesthetics.
Compare our veneer options
| Composite | Hybrid 3D-printed | Ceramic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | A fast, affordable improvement | A durable result with no drilling | The ultimate long-term result |
| Lifespan | Short to medium term | Medium to long term (typically 5–8 years) | Long term (typically 6–10+ years) |
| Digitally guided | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tooth preparation | Little or none | None in most cases | Minimal enamel reshaping |
| Stain resistance | Good | Very good | Excellent |
| Number of visits | 1–2 | 2–3, depending on design | 2–3, depending on design |
| Repairable | Yes, easily | No, replaced if damaged | No, replaced if damaged |
| Cost | R | RR | RRR |
*Lifespan depends on your bite, habits and how well you care for your veneers. Cost guide: R = most affordable, RR = mid-range, RRR = premium investment. Your exact fee is confirmed after your consultation and smile design.
Which veneer is right for me?
If you want a quick, affordable improvement, composite veneers are a great place to start. If you want a longer-lasting result without altering your natural teeth, hybrid 3D-printed veneers give you a premium look without the premium cost. If you want the most natural and longest-lasting smile, ceramic veneers are the best long-term investment. At your consultation, we'll assess your teeth, bite and goals and recommend the option that suits you best.
Your veneer journey
- Consultation: We discuss what you'd like to change, examine your teeth and gums, and take photographs and scans.
- Digital smile design: We plan your new smile digitally, and this design guides every step of your treatment. You can then try your new smile in your mouth with a trial smile, so you see and approve the result before any treatment begins.
- Treatment: Your veneers are created and placed using the technique you've chosen.
- Review: We check your bite and comfort and make sure you're delighted with the result.
Thinking about whitening first?
Veneers are colour-matched when they're made and can't be whitened afterwards. If you're having veneers on some teeth but not others, we often recommend whitening your natural teeth first so everything matches beautifully. [Learn more about our Pearl, Marble and Diamond whitening →]
Caring for your veneers
- Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily
- Keep up regular check-ups and professional cleanings
- Avoid biting hard objects such as ice, pens or fingernails
- Wear a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth
- Composite veneers benefit from occasional polishing to keep them looking fresh
Does medical aid cover veneers?
Veneers are generally considered a cosmetic treatment, so most medical aid plans don't cover them. Where veneers restore damaged or worn teeth, some plans may contribute, and our team can check your benefits for you.
Book your veneer consultation in Melrose Estate
Ready to love your smile? Call 011 211 6393, WhatsApp 068 234 9441, or book online.Suite 4, Glenhove Medical Centre, 47 Glenhove Road, Melrose Estate, Johannesburg.