Dentistry
Cosmetic
Product Reviews
Updated on March 14, 2023
8 min read

Cheap Veneers Options

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What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin, permanent shells that cover the front of your teeth. They are designed to improve the appearance, color, and shape of teeth. 

Dental veneers have been used since the 1930s to improve the aesthetic and protection of teeth. Veneers are made of porcelain (ceramic) or composite resin (plastic and glass). They vary in cost depending on the chosen material.

You can get a veneer for just one tooth or multiple teeth. You can also choose to get partial veneers or a full smile makeover, depending on your needs and budget.

Summary

Veneers can fix a wide range of cosmetic issues, but cannot repair damaged teeth. Any dental health issues must be addressed before veneer placement.

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What Can Veneers Fix?

Veneers improve the appearance of teeth rather than repair damage.

Veneers can fix teeth that are:

  • Discolored or stained
  • Crooked or oddly shaped 
  • Widely spaced and leave a gap 
  • Misaligned
  • Fractured, worn down, or chipped

Veneers are best for patients in good oral health who maintain adequate oral hygiene. They may not be suitable for patients who grind or clench their teeth because the shells can crack.

Veneers cannot correct teeth that are severely crooked. You may need orthodontic treatment prior to veneers if your teeth are not in the proper position.

Summary

Porcelain and composite veneers are the most common treatment options. Composite veneers are cheaper than porcelain veneers. However, porcelain veneers are stronger and more natural-looking than composite veneers.

Types of Veneers & Costs

Popular types of veneers include:

Porcelain

Porcelain veneers create the most authentic-looking final result and are indistinguishable from natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are incredibly durable, stain-resistant, and should last between 15 to 20 years.

Porcelain veneers are expensive and can cost between $700 to $2,500 per tooth.

Composite

Composite veneers create a natural-looking result. They are much easier to apply than porcelain veneers and can be applied in one visit. Composite veneers are less durable than porcelain veneers. Unlike porcelain veneers, composite veneers will stain like natural teeth and typically last between 4 to 8 years before they need to be replaced.

Composite resin veneers are more affordable than porcelain veneers. They cost between $200 to $600 per tooth.

Snap-On

Removable, or "snap-on," veneers are a cheaper, non-permanent alternative to dental veneers. They are a great temporary solution for people looking to improve their smile in certain situations. You can order them online or get them made in a dental office.

Summary

While veneers are expensive, they can save money and time in the long run. Veneers fix imperfections that would otherwise require several dental office visits.

Why are Veneers so Expensive? 

Dental veneers are expensive because they are a highly specialized procedure in cosmetic dentistry, requiring custom molding, specialized tools, and advanced training.

Veneers are usually placed by a cosmetic dentist specializing in veneers, rather than a primary dentist or DDS. Because veneers are considered a cosmetic treatment rather than a medical procedure, they are not covered by dental insurance.

Patients who take care of their veneers can expect them to last between 15 to 20 years (for porcelain) or 4 to 8 years (for composite) before needing replacement.

Summary

While veneers are expensive, they can save money and time in the long run. Veneers fix imperfections that would otherwise require several dental office visits. 

Does Dental Insurance Cover Veneers?

In most cases, dental insurance does not cover veneers. Veneers are a cosmetic procedure, making the entire process an out-of-pocket cost that patients will need to pay independently.

While veneers are expensive, some cosmetic dentists offer a payment plan for veneers, so patients don’t need to pay for the entire procedure upfront.

Summary

Veneers are not covered by insurance, but many dentists offer payment plans.

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Cheap Veneers Options

Cheaper veneer alternatives include:

Lumineers

Lumineers is a specific type of semi-permanent veneer. Lumineers don’t require preparation or shaving of the teeth before placement. However, not everyone is a candidate, and not every dentist offers Lumineers. Check with your dentist to see if Lumineers are an option for you.

Pros of Lumineers

  • Require less enamel removal during preparation 
  • Potentially reversible
  • No grinding down of teeth required before placement

Cons of Lumineers

  • Don’t last as long as veneers
  • Not as effective at hiding severely stained or damaged teeth
  • More translucent than regular veneers and not as suitable for people with discolored teeth

How Much Do They Cost?

Lumineers cost between $800 and $2,000 per tooth, depending on the individual's needs. Factors that will influence the cost of treatment include case difficulty, size, geography, and more.

Snap-On Veneers

Snap-On veneers, also called "removable," "temporary," or “no-prep” veneers, are a type of removable veneer that can be put on and taken off quickly by the wearer.

Pros of Snap-On Veneers

Snap-On veneers are an excellent choice for people who have:

  • Stained teeth
  • Slightly crooked teeth
  • Missing teeth or gaps in the teeth

Snap-On veneers are also suitable for people who wear cosmetic dentures and are looking for a more affordable or attractive option. Snap-on veneers are great for people who are not ready to invest in a permanent solution like veneers or crowns. 

Cons of Snap-On Veneers

Snap-On veneers aren’t suitable for everyone. 

For example, Snap-On veneers are not the right choice for people with the following:

  • Cavities
  • Gum disease
  • Severely crooked teeth
  • Jaw misalignment issues
  • Damaged, chipped, or broken teeth
  • Other oral conditions

How Much Do They Cost?

Snap-On veneers cost between $300 to $700 or more per upper or lower arch.

The cost of Snap-On veneers varies depending on the size, shape, and style of the teeth. As well as whether you get them online or at the dentist.

Where to Buy Snap-On Veneers

Removable Veneers USA

removable veneers logo best snap on veneers

Removable Veneers USA offers two different premium snap-on veneers:

Use promo code "NewMouth$30" to save $30 on the Premium Model

Use promo code "NewMouth$60" to save $60 on the Premium Plus Model (Enter code at checkout)

Alpha Veneers

AlphaVeneersLogo

Alpha Veneers are custom-made, removable, clip-on veneers that fit perfectly over existing teeth. They are more affordable than traditional veneers and improve the color, shape, and size of your teeth.

Alpha Veneers also offers two types of veneers:

  • Occasional Wear ($299 for single-arch or $499 for both arches)
  • Regular Wear ($599 for single-arch or $899 for both arches)

TruSmile

tru

TruSmile veneers are made from a special German co-polyester material. These veneers can last as long as five years. TruSmile offers a 2 to 3 week expected delivery after receiving your impressions and a 100% guarantee if they do not fit your teeth properly.

TruSmile veneers start at $499.

Secret Veneers

secretveneerscom

Secret Veneers is based in the UK and offers to ship worldwide. The snap-on veneers are made from a highly flexible, crystallized resin. It is a durable material that NASA also uses for its shuttle cabinetry. Secret Veneers offer the thinnest instant veneers available, and the brand claims that they are non-staining.

Secret Veneers offers two types of snap-on veneers:

  • Standard veneers (£299+ for single-arch or £399+ for both arches)
  • Premium super thin veneers (£449+ for single-arch or £549+ for both arches)

Instasmile

instasmile logo round pink 94b298e8 fffb 429e 8e07 5ea9e1c4442d

Instasmile offers users the choice between a straighter look and a natural look. The straighter look creates the appearance of straighter teeth by making the gum line look more even, and the natural look maintains the existing gum line layout. These veneers can also be shaded to match existing teeth color, if desired.

Instasmile veneers start at $500 for single-arch and $800 for both arches.

Summary

Lumineers and snap-on veneers are some cheaper alternatives to normal veneers.

What are Some Alternatives to Veneers? 

Some alternatives to veneers include:

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a procedure in which a resin is applied on top of the tooth and reshaped. Bonding is used to reshape or repair a broken tooth. Dental bonding may be suitable for patients who are concerned about fractured or broken teeth.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening treatment is designed to bleach tooth enamel, lift stains, and leave your smile looking brighter than before. During a teeth whitening procedure, your teeth are exposed to a bleaching agent that causes the tooth structure to brighten. Teeth whitening may be a better option for patients who are only concerned about tooth discoloration.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown restores a tooth that is severely damaged or decayed. It is designed to preserve your bite and strengthen your tooth. 

Crowns cover an entire tooth. Veneers, on the other hand, only cover the front of teeth. Unlike crowns, veneers are not dental restorations, they are only cosmetic. Because of this, a veneer cannot cover a tooth that is severely decayed, poorly positioned, or too discolored.

Crowns may be a better option if teeth are worn down or you chronically grind while sleeping.

Some types of insurance cover up to 50 percent of the cost of crowns. Veneers, which are considered cosmetic, are not covered by insurance.

Orthodontics (Clear Aligners or Braces)

Orthodontics, such as clear aligners and dental braces, are used primarily for teeth straightening. 

Veneers help improve the shape, size, and shade of your teeth. Unlike orthodontics, veneers do not fix bite or teeth misalignment issues. 

Orthodontic treatment is a better fit for people with moderate to severe teeth misalignment.

Summary

Dental bonding, teeth whitening treatment, crowns, and orthodontics are the best veneer alternatives. These treatments may be better options if your teeth are worn down, damaged, decaying, or misaligned.

Unfortunately, veneers are not covered by most dental assistance programs.

What’s Next?

Discover how you and your family can save money on common dental procedures with a dental discount plan.

Or call DentalPlans to speak with a representative about which plan is right for you.

Last updated on March 14, 2023
10 Sources Cited
Last updated on March 14, 2023
All NewMouth content is medically reviewed and fact-checked by a licensed dentist or orthodontist to ensure the information is factual, current, and relevant.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only cite from current scientific research, such as scholarly articles, dentistry textbooks, government agencies, and medical journals. This also includes information provided by the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
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  5. Lumineers, Den-Mat Holdings, LLC, www.lumineers.com
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  7. Sofan, Eshrak et al. “Classification review of dental adhesive systems: from the IV generation to the universal type.” Annali di stomatologia vol. 8,1 1-17. 3 Jul. 2017, doi:10.11138/ads/2017.8.1.001 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5507161/ 
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