On this page
- What can veneers change?
- Are veneers right for you?
- How veneers are fitted, step by step
- Do veneers hurt? Anaesthesia and comfort
- Recovery and caring for your veneers
- Risks, limitations and alternatives
- What affects the price of veneers in Skopje?
- Why choose Dr. Milanovski for veneers?
- Veneers: frequently asked questions
What can veneers change?
Veneers are usually chosen to change the look of a smile when the teeth and gums are healthy. If you are looking into veneers in Skopje, you may also see a set of them called a ‘smile makeover’ or ‘Hollywood smile’.
Veneers can:
- cover stains and discolouration that whitening does not shift
- repair chipped or worn edges of front teeth
- close small gaps between teeth
- even out teeth of different shapes or sizes
- make slightly crooked teeth look straighter
Veneers do not move teeth or correct your bite. If your teeth are very crooked or crowded, orthodontic treatment may be a better first step.
Composite or porcelain veneers?
Composite veneers are built up directly on the tooth, from the same material as white fillings and composite bonding. Porcelain (ceramic) veneers are made to measure in a dental laboratory, then bonded to the tooth.
| Feature | Composite veneers | Porcelain veneers |
|---|---|---|
| Visits | Usually fewer | At least two |
| Enamel removed | Often less | A thin layer |
| Colour | Stain more easily | Hold their colour better |
| Wear | Wear down faster | More hard-wearing |
| Cost | Usually lower | Usually higher |
| Still in place (in studies) | About 88 in 100 after 2–8 years | About 87–96 in 100 after 9–10 years |
These are study averages, not a promise about your teeth. A veneer ‘still in place’ may already have been repaired.
Are veneers right for you?
Veneers are usually a good option if:
- your teeth and gums are healthy or already treated
- the change you want is mainly cosmetic
- you clean your teeth regularly and thoroughly
- you accept that enamel removal cannot be undone and that veneers need upkeep over the years
It is better to wait, or choose something else, if:
- you have untreated decay or inflamed gums: these need treating first (see bleeding gums: early signs of gum disease)
- you clench or grind your teeth (bruxism) or have a deep bite, because veneers are then more likely to crack or come off
- the tooth is badly damaged or has a large filling: a crown (cap) may be the better option
- the change is small, so whitening, bonding or orthodontics may help with less enamel removed, or none
Tell us if you are pregnant. For purely cosmetic treatment, we may suggest waiting until after your baby is born.
Also tell us if you smoke, have diabetes or take any medication. Smoking is one of the factors that affect how long veneers last.
How veneers are fitted, step by step
Composite veneers
- Examination and plan. We examine your teeth and gums, discuss what you would like to change and explain your options, including less invasive ones.
- Choosing the shade. We choose the colour together. Any teeth whitening is done before this step.
- Shaping. The tooth is prepared, often with minimal trimming. Composite is added in layers, shaped and hardened with a special light.
- Polishing and bite check. The veneers are polished to blend with the neighbouring teeth, and your bite is checked and adjusted if needed.
Porcelain veneers
- Examination, plan and shade. As for composite veneers, with any whitening done first.
- Preparation. A thin layer of enamel is removed from the front of the tooth so the veneer is not bulky. An impression (mould) is taken, and you may wear temporary veneers while the final ones are made.
- Laboratory. A dental technician makes the veneers to measure.
- Bonding. The shape, colour and fit are checked, then the tooth is cleaned and the veneer bonded with a special dental adhesive.
Porcelain veneers need at least two visits, with laboratory time in between. If you live abroad, see our page for international patients.
Do veneers hurt? Anaesthesia and comfort
Preparing a tooth for a veneer is a minor procedure. If enamel needs removing, you may have a local anaesthetic, as for a filling. If you are not sure, ask us beforehand.
If you feel anxious about dental treatment, tell us. We explain each step before we do it, and if you need a break, just raise your hand.
Recovery and caring for your veneers
You can usually return to your normal routine straight away. Most people get used to the feel and shape of new veneers within a few days.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily (how to brush and clean between your teeth).
- Do not bite your nails or chew pens, ice or other hard objects.
- If you grind your teeth and a night splint has been recommended, wear it regularly. Wear a mouthguard for contact sports.
- Cut down on coffee, tea and red wine, especially with composite veneers.
- Keep up regular check-ups and a professional scale and polish (teeth cleaning).
Bleeding gums around veneers are a sign that you need better cleaning or a check-up. Call us if a veneer chips, cracks or comes loose, or if your bite feels uneven. Minor damage can sometimes be repaired without replacing the whole veneer.
Risks, limitations and alternatives
- Irreversible treatment. Removed enamel does not grow back, so the tooth will always need some form of covering.
- Upkeep. Veneers do not last for ever. In time they need repair or replacement, and composite ones need polishing more often.
- Chipping and debonding. One review of studies found that after about 9 years, around 4 in 100 porcelain veneers had cracked or chipped and around 2 in 100 had come off. The risk is higher in people who grind their teeth: in one study, about 64 in 100 of their veneers were still in place after 7 years without a night splint, against about 89 in 100 with one.
- Decay and gums. Decay can develop under or around a veneer. In a few people with thin gums, the gum recedes and the edge of the veneer shows.
- The tooth’s nerve. In the same review, about 2 in 100 teeth with porcelain veneers later had a nerve problem, which may need root canal treatment.
- Colour. Porcelain cannot be whitened, and composite may stain and lose its shine over the years.
Alternatives worth considering
- No treatment, a reasonable choice when the concern is only appearance.
- Professional whitening, when colour is the only issue. Results usually last six months to three years (see our teeth whitening guide).
- Composite bonding, for a small chip, gap or change of shape, with little or no enamel removed. It usually lasts about 5 to 8 years.
- Orthodontics (fixed braces or clear aligners), which moves teeth rather than masking them.
For a detailed comparison, read Veneers vs composite bonding vs crowns: how to choose.
What affects the price of veneers in Skopje?
The price of veneers cannot be worked out accurately without an examination. It depends on:
- the material: porcelain usually costs more than composite
- the number of teeth and the laboratory work
- any treatment needed first, such as fillings, gum treatment or whitening
- a night splint, if you grind your teeth
- future upkeep: polishing, repairs and, eventually, replacement
After your examination, you will receive a written plan with your options and estimated costs before any treatment starts. Our prices page explains how fees are set.
Why choose Dr. Milanovski for veneers?
Saving the tooth comes first
The practice’s motto is ‘Save the tooth’: keeping natural teeth is the priority. So we discuss less invasive options before veneers and remove only as much enamel as your case needs.
Nano-hybrid composite veneers
In his work, Dr Kiril Milanovski focuses on cosmetic dentistry. He makes composite veneers from 3M ESPE Filtek Z550, a nano-hybrid composite.
When another option is better
If your teeth are very crooked, we may recommend orthodontic treatment before or instead of veneers. We explain each option before you decide.
Contract with the Health Insurance Fund (FZO)
The practice has a contract with the Fund, so insured patients can register Dr Kiril Milanovski as their chosen dentist (izbran stomatolog). Ask us which services the Fund covers.
The practice has been open since 2015 and has a Google rating of 5.0 from 40 reviews (October 2026).
Veneers: frequently asked questions
How much are veneers in Skopje?
It depends on the material, the number of teeth and any treatment needed first. You will receive the exact cost in a written plan after your examination (see our prices page).
Do teeth have to be filed down for veneers?
Usually a thin layer of enamel is removed from the front of the tooth – less than for a crown. Composite veneers often need less, and some veneers need none. This cannot be undone, so it is not a decision to rush.
How long do veneers last?
Porcelain veneers usually last 5 to 15 years, and often 10 years or more with good care. Composite veneers need repairs more often. Neither type lasts for ever; much depends on your bite, tooth grinding and daily care.
Composite or porcelain veneers: what is the difference?
Porcelain veneers are made in a laboratory and keep their colour better, but need at least two visits. Composite veneers are shaped directly on the tooth and are easier to repair, but stain more easily.
Veneers or composite bonding: which is better?
It depends on your goal. Bonding adds composite to part of a tooth, for a small chip or gap. A veneer covers the whole front surface. When both would work, it is usual to start with the option that keeps more of your natural tooth.
Veneers or crowns (caps): which do I need?
A veneer covers only the front of the tooth and needs less enamel removed. A crown covers the whole tooth and is usually the better choice when a tooth is weakened, heavily filled or missing a large part.
The first step is an examination and a calm conversation. Book an appointment, and you can decide once you know all your options.
Sources
- ADA MouthHealthy – Veneers
- Oral Health Foundation – Veneers
- Cleveland Clinic – Cosmetic Dentistry
- Manchester University NHS FT – Crowns, Veneers and Bridges (patient leaflet)
- Morimoto et al. 2016 – Feldspathic and glass-ceramic laminate veneers: systematic review and meta-analysis (Int J Prosthodont)
- Beuer et al. 2025 – SSRD/SEPES/PROSEC consensus on ceramic laminate veneers (J Esthet Restor Dent)
- Lim et al. 2023 – Resin composite laminate veneers: systematic review and meta-analysis (J Evid Based Dent Pract)
- Faus-Matoses et al. 2020 – 8-year study of feldspathic veneers and occlusal splints in bruxism (J Dent)