Composite Veneers: Costs, Procedure, Pros, and Cons

Key Takeaways

• Composite veneers are shell-like dental restorations that fit over your teeth. They’re ideal solutions for people who have healthy teeth but want to improve their smiles. 
• The two most common materials used for veneers are composite resin and porcelain.
• Composite veneers are slightly less durable and don’t last as long as porcelain veneers but are significantly more affordable. They typically cost between $250 and $1,500 per tooth.
• You’re a good candidate for composite veneers if you have mild cosmetic issues. However, you’ll benefit from a different treatment if you have thin enamel or severe tooth damage.

What are Composite Veneers?

Composite veneers are thin shells of tooth-colored resin that fit over natural teeth to improve their appearance.

Dental veneers are typically made of composite or porcelain. You might choose composite instead of porcelain if you desire a more affordable option.

How Much Do Composite Veneers Cost?

Composite veneers typically cost between $250 and $1,500 per tooth. The cost depends on various factors, including:

• The location of the dental office
• The expertise of the dentist (general vs. cosmetic) 
• How many veneers you need

Though the price tag is high, composite veneers are cheaper than porcelain veneers. 

If the cost concerns you, speak with your dentist about financing options. Some dentists offer payment plans or discounts if you have a certain number of veneers applied simultaneously.

Does Insurance Cover Composite Veneers?

Insurance doesn’t cover composite veneers if you’re getting them for cosmetic reasons.

If your tooth is damaged, insurance might pay for part or all of the cost. However, it might only cover crowns and other restorations. View the details of your policy to see what is covered.

Who is a Candidate for Composite Veneers? 

Composite veneers are great for people who want to improve the appearance of their healthy teeth. 

They’re ideal for imperfections like:

• Mildly crooked or crowded teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Stains or discoloration
• Chips or mild damage
• Tooth erosion

Veneers require some tooth reduction before placement. To be a good candidate, you need adequate tooth enamel. 

If you have too little or severe enamel damage, you may not be a candidate for composite veneers. Your dentist will tell you if you need a different restoration or treatment.

Composite Veneers Procedure 

Applying composite veneers takes one day in a dentist’s office. The steps are as follows:

1. Tooth Preparation

Your dentist will clean your teeth before they begin the procedure. 

They may also need to reduce or reshape your teeth to accommodate the veneers. If so, they’ll remove a thin layer of enamel to allow the material to stick to your teeth. 

2. Adhesion

Before applying veneers, your dentist etches and paints your tooth enamel with a bonding material. These adhesive layers will help the veneers stick to your teeth.

3. Application

The application of your veneers depends on what type they are: direct or indirect. Indirect veneers are created outside the mouth, while direct veneers are applied to the teeth in layers. 

With direct veneers, your dentist will apply thin layers of composite material to the tooth surfaces. With indirect veneers, they’ll take a mold of your teeth and fill it with composite resin. Once the veneers are ready, they’ll permanently attach them to your teeth with dental cement. 

4. Finishing Touches

After attaching your veneers, the dentist will cure (quickly harden) the resin with an LED light. They’ll clean up any rough edges and polish your teeth afterward.

Many people don’t require anesthesia during this process. If you do need anesthesia, you should be fine to return to work or other activities once it wears off.

Pros and Cons of Composite Veneers

As with all procedures, veneers have advantages and disadvantages. Read below to determine if this treatment is right for you: 

Pros 

Here are some pros of composite veneers:

• Natural-looking — Composite veneers are color-matched to your teeth for a natural look. Your dentist can use a shade guide to help you choose the right color.
• Convenient — Unlike porcelain, composite veneers can be placed over your teeth in one visit. This is because they’re sculpted directly onto your teeth same-day and usually don’t require dental laboratory involvement.  
• Affordable — Compared to porcelain veneers, composite veneers are more affordable.
• Repairable — Your dentist can fix any minor damage to your composite veneers, such as chips, mild discoloration, or slight misalignment.

Cons

Here are some cons of composite veneers:

• Less durable than porcelain — Composite veneers aren’t as strong as porcelain and can become damaged with improper care. However, they can be repaired.
• Shorter lifespan than porcelain — With excellent care, composite veneers last around 5 years. Porcelain veneers can last 10 years or more.
• Stains more easily than porcelain — Composite resin discolors easily. Avoiding dark-colored food and drink or tobacco use can help prevent stains.

Porcelain vs. Composite Veneers 

Composite resin and porcelain are the most popular materials used for veneers. Knowing the differences can help you decide which type is right for you.

Here are some of the main differences between composite and porcelain veneers:¹