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Veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells. They’re attached to the front surfaces of teeth to improve their appearance. Dentists most frequently place veneers over the top eight teeth in the front.
The shells are permanently bonded to your teeth. They’re typically made of porcelain or resin composite materials.
Veneers treat various cosmetic concerns, including teeth that are:
Some people opt for one veneer if they have a chipped tooth. Others get between six and eight veneers for an even, symmetrical smile.
The most popular types of veneers are:
Read more about Removable Veneers
Porcelain veneers are custom-made, thin shells. They improve your smile by changing the shape, color, and overall look of your teeth.3
These veneers are strong and long-lasting. They’re also stain-resistant and offer a natural look.
Many people choose porcelain veneers instead of dental bonding or teeth whitening because the results last longer.
Porcelain veneers are on the pricier side, and cost $925 to $2,500 per tooth.
Composite veneers are made of composite resin. Composite resin is a blend of inorganic and organic materials.
Natural materials in composite resin include the:
Filler is the primary inorganic material in composite resin.
The bonding material dentists use for composite resin veneers is the same material used in tooth-colored dental fillings.
Composite veneers are strong. But they aren’t as durable as porcelain.
They’re also less expensive than porcelain veneers. While they blend in well with your natural tooth color, composite veneers are prone to stains over time and don’t last as long.
Composite veneers are permanent and require tooth shaving before placement.
Composite veneers are less expensive than porcelain options and cost $250 to $1,500 per tooth.
Lumineers are a brand of veneers created by DenMat dental laboratory. They’re known as “no-prep” veneers.
These veneers are thinner and less expensive than traditional veneers. They take less time to apply and can easily be removed or replaced.7
Lumineers are made of cerinate feldspathic pressable porcelain. This type of porcelain is around 0.3mm thin and is very strong. It’s about the same thinness as a contact lens.
These types of veneers require little to no tooth enamel reduction. They can last 10 to 20 years or longer with proper care.
Traditional veneers come in various shades. Their thickness makes them completely opaque, for that perfect “Hollywood smile.”
Lumineers are thin and slightly translucent. They closely resemble natural tooth enamel.
Lumineer veneers provide excellent teeth-whitening benefits. However, they may not whiten severely stained or discolored teeth.
Lumineers are slightly less expensive than porcelain veneers and cost $800 to $2,000 per tooth.
Dental veneers aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. The shape and shade that looks best for one person might not look right on another.
Your dentist will help you choose the right veneers for you. It’s essential to know how you want your veneers to look before your appointment.
Some patients need orthodontics like Invisalign prior to getting veneers. This is to ensure their teeth are aligned and in the proper positions.
Consider the following when choosing veneers:
There are many different veneer shade options available.
You’ll want to choose a shade that looks bright and healthy. Steer clear of choosing a too-white shade. If you do, your smile might look unnatural.
Try using the whites of your eyes for guidance. Your veneers should never be brighter than your eyes.
People with fair skin tones should choose from the whitest colors available. People with dark skin tones should opt for naturally-occurring shades and avoid extremely bleached shades, as these often look unnatural.
Speak with your dentist about veneer color layering. This technique makes veneers look more natural. Like real teeth, veneer color layering creates opaque texture in the teeth’s center and translucence toward the edges.
Once you’ve found the right shade for your veneers, you’ll need to choose the right shape.
Consider your face shape when choosing veneers.
Long, thin veneers slim a round face. Short, wide veneers compliment a long face.
Age is a factor to consider, too. Teeth naturally lose length over time, so longer veneers can help you look younger.
Plus, bulking up your teeth can smooth fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. Thicker front veneers also gives the appearance of fuller lips.
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