How Much Veneers Cost & Ways to Pay for Them

What are Veneers?

Veneers are a popular cosmetic dental treatment. A set of veneers is often referred to as a “smile makeover” because it significantly improves the appearance of your teeth. 

A dental veneer is a thin, tooth-colored shell that fits over the front of your tooth to change its color, shape, and/or size.

Veneers are an excellent option for tooth discoloration and crooked, gapped, and irregularly shaped teeth. 

Adults are typically considered candidates for veneers if: 

• Skeletal growth is complete 
• Eruption (passive and active) of the teeth is complete 
• The bite is favorable 
• No habits exist, such as bruxism
• They don’t have gum disease or cavities 
• They have good oral hygiene

To qualify for veneers, ensure you receive treatment to correct oral health issues beforehand.

Discount Dental Plans can save you money on procedures that insurance can't (including cosmetic procedures). Learn more about dental discount plans here. Or call (833) 704-2246

Types of Veneers

There are several different types of veneers:

• Porcelain laminate veneers are the most natural-looking and durable veneer material available. Porcelain veneers are also extremely biocompatible, which means the mouth's gums and other soft tissues respond well to them. These veneers can significantly improve the appearance of your smile because porcelain is very esthetically pleasing.
• Composite veneers are made of composite resin, a mixture of inorganic and organic materials. They blend in fairly well with your natural teeth but are prone to stains over time and do not last as long as porcelain since they are not as durable.
• Lumineers are a brand of veneers. They are made of ultra-thin porcelain laminate material and require minimal preparation before placement. Unlike porcelain laminate veneers, less natural tooth structure is removed before placing a lumineer over your tooth enamel.
• Removable veneers, or snap-on veneers, are cheaper and less durable alternatives that are meant to be temporary.

Pros and Cons of Veneers

When the dentist does their job properly, and you do your job caring for the dental work at home, veneers can last many years.

One of the most desirable benefits of veneers is their color stability. Porcelain is highly glazed glass, which does not collect stains and plaque buildup like natural teeth.

For this reason, the color of veneers does not change over time. Some people refer to this advantage as “permanent teeth whitening."

Porcelain veneers make you look younger by covering and correcting chipped, shortened, and yellow teeth. And unlike Botox or dermal fillers, the procedure does not need to be repeated over and over.

However, there are some disadvantages to veneers, such as:

• Cost (veneers can cost hundreds of dollars per tooth and are usually not covered by insurance)
• They require a lengthy procedure to be placed and may require permanent removal of tooth enamel
• Replacements may be needed after several years
• Special attention to dental care is needed to make veneers last a long time
• Though the veneers will not change color over time, the surrounding natural teeth can become yellow with age, resulting in an uneven color distribution 

You should discuss veneers and other options with your dentist to help decide whether you are a candidate.

Find out if a dental savings plan from DentalPlans can save you money on your next dental procedure. Visit DentalPlans.

How Much Do Veneers Cost?

Since veneers are considered cosmetic, dental insurance typically does not cover the cost of treatment. The cost of veneers depends on the type chosen, your dentist’s location, and how many you get. 

A traditional veneer costs between $1,000 and $1,230 per tooth. Porcelain veneers are the most expensive.

Prepless (no-prep) veneers like Lumineers are a little cheaper. They tend to cost anywhere between $700 and $2,000 per tooth. 

The cost of veneers, depending on the type, is as follows:

• Porcelain veneers — $500-$2,500 (per tooth)
• Composite resin veneers — $250-$1,500 (per tooth)
• Lumineers — $700-$2,000 (per tooth)
• Removable veneers— $300-$3500 (per arch)
• Temporary veneers (trial veneers) — $200-$400 (per arch)

What's Included in the Treatment Cost?

Veneer placement is typically separated into two appointments. Here is what's included in the treatment cost:

1. Enamel removal to make room for the veneer
2. An impression (or mold) of the prepared tooth structure
3. A veneer shade that best matches your smile
4. A custom-made veneer (this step can take several weeks—you may wear a temporary veneer in the meantime)

Financing Options for Veneers

There are a few ways to save money on veneers:

Payment Plans

A payment plan is an excellent choice if you do not have insurance. Some general and cosmetic dentists allow patients to pay off a portion of the veneer(s) over a few months. You would pay your dentist directly for treatment. 

Discount Dental Savings Plans

Insurance does not cover veneer costs. Fortunately, some discount dental plans may cover a portion of the cost. Most dental discount plans work in similar ways: 

• You only pay for the dental treatments you need (when you need them)
• No annual spending limit
• No claims or approval forms are required to sign up
• Members pay one low annual fee
• You will get access to a network of dentists in your area

Payment plans and discount dental savings plans are two ways to save money on veneers.

How Long Do Veneers Last? 

Porcelain veneers can last up to 20 years or longer with proper dental care, good oral hygiene, and regular check-ups.

Composite veneers typically last between 5 and 7 years, while Lumineers can last up to 10 years.

Porcelain veneers are generally the best option because they last the longest, do not harm your gum tissue, and look the most natural. 

Are Veneers Worth the Cost?

This is only a question you can answer. Veneers are a costly procedure.

On average, veneers cost about $1,000 to 1,230 per tooth.

However, with proper maintenance, porcelain veneers can last up to 20 years. This is longer than many other items you may spend money on.

We'll discuss some alternatives, as well as removable veneers, to help you decide if veneers are the right choice for you.

Alternative Treatments

Dental veneers can be expensive, especially if you want more than one veneer. 

Traditional veneers also require prepping, which means part of your natural tooth structure will be removed before placement. This means veneers are permanent and cause irreversible changes. 

If you are unsure about veneers, a few reversible and less invasive dental treatments are available. These include:

• Teeth whitening treatment — Professional teeth whitening costs less than veneers, and the results are not permanent. In-office teeth whitening costs anywhere between $500 and $1,400 per treatment. At-home treatment can cost from about $30 to $300.
• Dental bonding — The use of an adhesive and tooth-colored composite resin can whiten your teeth and/or fix tooth irregularities. Such fillings, or resin composites, are usually completed in one office visit, while veneers take two or more appointments. They can cost anywhere between $300 and $600 per tooth. Indirect restorations, such as porcelain inlays, onlays, and crowns, can cost up to $1,500 per tooth.
• Orthodontic treatment — this may be better if you have many misaligned or crooked teeth and does not involve the removal of tooth enamel. Clear aligners and braces are popular choices. Direct-to-consumer clear aligners cost less than braces and Invisalign.

If you have cavities, gum disease, or another oral health condition, it is essential to seek treatment to make your teeth and mouth healthy before proceeding with veneers. 

You may need a root canal, filling, dental crown, dental implant, or dentures since veneers cannot restore severely damaged or decaying teeth. 

Removable Veneers

Custom-made clip-on veneers, also called removable veneers, are another alternative to traditional veneers.

To create these veneers, an impression of your teeth is made. Then the impression is sent to a dental lab.

The dental lab technicians create a custom-fit set of veneers for you, which then gets mailed back to your dentist. 

Snap-on Smile and Alpha Veneers are two of the most popular custom-made removable veneer companies.

The Snap-On Smile process all takes place at a dental office. The removable veneers typically cost $1,000 to $3,500 per arch. Some dentists may charge as low as $500 per arch.

Occasional-wear Alpha Veneers cost $299 for a single arch and $499 for both. Regular-wear veneers are $599 for a single arch and $899 for a dual arch.

Alpha Veneers cost less because they are a direct-to-consumer company. They mail you an impression kit, send it to a dental lab, and send the veneers to your home. The treatment model is very similar to at-home clear aligner treatments such as byte, Candid Co, and ALIGNERCO.

They are a temporary solution (e.g., as a ‘quick fix’ for wedding photographs).