Porcelain veneers could ruin your teeth, your smile... and your life

Porcelain veneers are the quick-fix route to a perfect Hollywood smile, we're told  -  they'll fit over your own teeth like false fingernails, hiding all manner of imperfections and giving your mouth the equivalent of a face-lift.

And with the advent of swish walk-in dental clinics offering 'lunchtime smile lifts' it's not surprising so many people are having it done.

According to market research by Mintel, the amount of money spent on cosmetic dentistry in the UK last year rocketed to £627million, from £519million in 2006 and £210million in 2005.