With the rise of remote work and people watching themselves on video calls more and more, cosmetic dentistry is becoming increasingly popular. Straightening teeth, filling gaps and whitening your smile are common aesthetic concerns that patients visit us with – all of which can be treated with dental veneers! But how many veneers do you need to achieve your dream smile?
In this article, we will explore how veneers can =achieve your dream smile, answering questions such as ‘how many veneers do I need?’, and ‘does everyone need ‘whole mouth’ veneers?’ And trust us, the answer might surprise you!
How can dental veneers help me achieve my dream smile?
Dental veneers are thin coverings, made of either porcelain or composite resin, designed to minimise the appearance of dental imperfections and improve the overall look of your smile. There are a number of different types of dental veneers.
Learn more in our detailed guide: Different types of dental veneers!
Dental veneers can fix a host of different dental imperfections, including:
- Stains and discolouration
- Chips
- Gaps
- Uneven teeth shape/size
- Overbites
- Underbites
Related reading: What are the Benefits of Dental Veneers?
How many veneers do I need?
Here at Bespoke Smile, ‘how many veneers do I need?’ is a question that we get asked regularly. Many of our patients believe they need a large number of veneers – or even ‘whole mouth’ veneers – to achieve their dream smile, but in reality, less can often be more. A carefully planned smile assessment allows us to determine the perfect balance between veneers and your natural teeth. By considering your aesthetic goals and functional requirements, our Smile Designers will guide you towards the number of veneers that best suit your needs and often patients can be surprised that less is more.
Our bespoke approach, using facially driven treatment planning, ensures that your smile enhancement looks natural and complements your facial features beautifully. We truly believe in minimising work to your teeth whilst meeting aesthetic and functional goals so we will always seek options to tweak and only treat teeth that have the maximum impact for you.
Related reading: Veneers Don’t Require Major Tooth Shaving
How we decide how many veneers you need: the aesthetic zone
When designing the perfect smile, we always focus on the aesthetic zone – the 6 front teeth that are the most visible when you smile. This includes the central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines. These teeth are not only key to aesthetics but also play a crucial role in bite function and symmetry.
For a balanced and natural-looking result, treating the front 6 teeth is often recommended. However, in some cases, addressing just 1 or 2 teeth, or adding 4 veneers on front teeth can be sufficient – especially if only certain teeth require correction. At Bespoke Smile, our priority is achieving seamless, undetectable results. If we can perfect your smile with fewer veneers, we will create a custom treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs.
How many teeth should be treated?
When answering the question, ‘how many veneers do you need?’, the answer is: It depends on the patient and their dental condition. The number of veneers required depends on multiple factors, including:
- Symmetry and function: The front six teeth guide your bite and influence overall harmony.
- Smile width: For a fuller, more balanced look, treating 8 to 10 upper teeth is recommended.
- Desired shade change: If a significant colour enhancement is desired, extending treatment to more teeth ensures a uniform and natural appearance.
Who needs ‘whole-mouth’ veneers?
As we have already mentioned, most patients require a more targeted approach, rather than a full set of veneers. Whole mouth veneers are typically for people who desire a complete smile transformation, rather than just improving a few teeth. This is common for:
- Severe dental wear: People with extremely worn-down, eroded, or weakened enamel across most or all teeth, often due to grinding, acid erosion, or ageing.
- Extensive cosmetic concerns: Those with deep stains, multiple chips, uneven teeth, or gaps that affect their entire smile.
- Reconstruction after trauma or dental issues: People who have suffered from injuries, severe decay, or multiple failed dental restorations.
- Non-orthodontic solutions: Individuals who want to avoid braces or aligners and prefer a faster fix for misalignment, spacing, or bite issues.
How many teeth in a full set of veneers?
Getting full mouth veneers is a big commitment, both financially and in terms of maintenance. Adults typically have between 28-32 teeth, depending on whether or not they have wisdom teeth. A whole mouth veneers treatment consists of 28 veneers, covering all teeth in the mouth, except wisdom teeth.
However, a ‘full set’ of veneers can refer to any patient who has had 8 or more veneers per arch, as this number covers the most visible teeth.
How many veneers do you need for tailored smile enhancements?
While treating 6 teeth provides symmetry and function, some patients may only need targeted enhancements to a single tooth, or perhaps 2 or 4 teeth, to refine minor imperfections. Our bespoke approach means that each case is assessed individually, ensuring a flawless blend between veneers and natural teeth. This is determined during our
Smile Design consultation, where we meticulously plan the ideal treatment for you.
How many veneers do you need when treating lower teeth?
While the upper teeth are the most visible in a smile, the lower teeth also play a crucial role in overall aesthetics and function.
Lower veneers can enhance symmetry, improve alignment, and ensure a balanced smile from every angle. Treating 6 to 10 lower teeth is sometimes recommended to create harmony with the upper veneers, particularly if there are concerns about wear, discolouration, or crowding. Our approach ensures that the upper and lower teeth complement each other for a seamless and natural result.
Creating a seamless, natural result
At Bespoke Smile, we are known for our undetectable veneers, carefully designed to match the shape, translucency, and shade of your natural teeth. Whether we are treating a single tooth, 16 teeth, or fitting whole mouth veneers, our expertise in crafting ultra-thin, natural-looking feather veneers ensures a result that is both aesthetically perfect and functionally precise.
If you’re considering a smile transformation and wondering how many teeth to treat, book a consultation with us to explore the best approach for you based on your facial symmetry, personal goals and budget.