The confidence boost patient’s experience with a straight, attractive smile is priceless. However, the process of achieving a beautiful smile is not free. The cost for composite veneers starts at about $500, and porcelain veneers in kingwood texas cost an average of $1,500. This article will review what determines the final cost of veneers.
Cost of Veneers
The different factors which greatly impact the overall price of veneers include:
- Type of material used
- Dentist’s experience and background
- Geographical location
Because the actual procedure is quite complicated, the placement of a veneer on a single tooth can be quite expensive. A chart outlining the average cost by material type is below:
| Type of Material | Average Cost |
| Resin (chairside) | $800 |
| Resin (laboratory) | $1,100 |
| Porcelain | $1,500 |
| Lumineers | $1,800 |
The values above can also be used when you are replacing more than one tooth.
Resin Veneers
On average, the cost for chairside resin veneers is $800. In comparison, laboratory veneers usually cost about $1,100.
This type of veneer can either be built directly on your tooth or indirectly and created in a lab. Indirect resin veneers are more expensive and take longer to create and place.
You should expect composite veneers to stain similarly to your natural teeth. It is also not possible to whiten them without completely redoing the work. If they become discolored, you either have to live with it or purchase new ones.
Fortunately, fixing resin veneers is rather easy and affordable if they crack or chip. They usually last about five to seven years or more.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers cost about $1,500. You are mainly paying for the appearance of the veneer. Porcelain veneers have a translucent look and appear very similar to natural dentition. They are also stain-resistant, meaning you do not need to whiten your teeth or be concerned with what you eat or drink.
They are always made in a lab and designed by a dentist to fit your teeth perfectly. Porcelain is far more durable than resin and unlikely to crack or chip. Porcelain veneers typically last about fifteen to twenty years.
Lumineers
Lumineers veneers typically cost about $1,800.
This type of veneers is the thinnest option available. As a result, your teeth do not need to be reduced very much. They are designed to resist wear and tear for up to twenty years and are comparable to the durability of porcelain veneers.
For patients who do not have a severe orthodontic problem, Lumineer veneers can make your teeth look more uniformly in their shape and straighter. They are more affordable than tooth alignment treatments such as braces, especially if you only need to fix a single tooth. They are also stain-resistant, and you may select the shade which best matches your natural teeth.
Affordable Veneers - Instasmile
Instasmile costs about $500 per arch. If you do not want or need a permanent solution, you may be a candidate for Instasmile, a clip-on veneer.
An entire arch costs about as much as a single veneer because it only covers the front eight teeth. In addition, the material used is different from the more expensive and permanent options.
Unfortunately, this solution only lasts for a couple of years. There three main types of Instasmile include:
- Moment – used for occasional wear. Restrictive with food and drink
- Classic – used for special occasions. Patients can wear them more and with fewer diet restrictions.
- Platinum – Cover missing teeth and do not impact your diet whatsoever
For insurance to cover any cost, the procedure must be medically necessary. Unfortunately, veneers are not included as they are considered a cosmetic treatment.
Be sure to discuss your financing and coverage with the dental office as your plan may cover some of the other costs, such as the dental exam or scaling and root planing.
More on Dental Veneers : What are Porcelain Veneers?
Since veneers are considered cosmetic, dental insurance typically does not cover the cost of treatment. The cost of veneers depends on:
- The type of veneers chosen
- Your dentist’s location
- 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.
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:
- Enamel removal to make room for the veneer
- An impression (or mold) of the prepared tooth structure
- A veneer shade that best matches your smile
- 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, with an average cost of $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
Dental bonding uses an adhesive and tooth-colored composite resin to 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
Orthodontic treatment 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.
Snap-On Smile
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.
Alpha Veneers
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).
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.
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Types of Veneers
There are several different types of veneers:
Porcelain Laminate 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
Composite veneersare 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
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
Removable veneers, or snap-on veneers, are cheaper and less durable alternatives that are meant to be temporary.
Pros and Cons of Veneers
Here are some pros of veneers:
- Longevity — Veneers can last many years when the dentist does their job properly, and you do your job caring for the dental work at home.
- 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.
- Increased confidence — Porcelain veneers make you look younger by covering and correcting chipped, shortened, and yellow teeth.
On the other, some of the disadvantages of veneers are:
- Cost — Veneers can cost hundreds of dollars per tooth and are usually not covered by insurance.
- Time consuming — They require a lengthy procedure to be placed and may require permanent removal of tooth enamel.
- Maintenance — Replacements may be needed after several years. Special attention to dental care is also needed to make veneers last a long time.
- Uneven color distribution — 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.
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- How Much Do Veneers Cost?
- Financing Options for Veneers
- How Long Do Veneers Last?
- Are Veneers Worth the Cost?
- What are Veneers?
- Types of Veneers
- Pros and Cons of Veneers