Everything You Need to Know About the Cost of Dental Veneers

The Costs Associated with Getting Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are thin shells made of ceramic or composite resin that are custom-made to cover the front surface of teeth. Getting veneers can completely transform your smile by improving the color, shape, size, and overall appearance of your teeth. While veneers are an excellent cosmetic solution, they do come at a cost.

The cost of dental veneers varies depending on several factors. On average, porcelain veneers cost $925 to $2,500 per tooth and composite veneers cost $250 to $1,500 per tooth. The overall cost for your veneers depends on the type of material you get, the number of veneers you need, your dentist’s fees, and any additional procedures required before getting the veneers.

Cost Factors for Dental Veneers

Here are some of the key factors that influence the total costs of getting veneers:

• Type of material - Porcelain veneers are more expensive than composite resin veneers. Porcelain is stain-resistant, durable, and mimics the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. Composite resin is less expensive but more prone to staining and chipping.
• Number of veneers - The more veneers you get, the higher the total costs. Full treatment plans of 10-12 upper teeth or 6-8 lower teeth will be more expensive than just a few veneers.
• Dentist’s fee - Cosmetic dentists or those with more experience with veneers often charge more for this treatment.
• Laboratory fees - Dental labs fabricate porcelain veneers and charge a per unit fee.
• Location - Costs are usually higher in major metropolitan areas compared to smaller cities.
• Additional procedures - Preparatory treatments like teeth whitening, reshaping, or orthodontics can add to the total costs.

itemized Costs

There are several components that make up the total price tag for dental veneers. Here is a breakdown of the typical itemized costs:

• Initial consultation: $0 - $200
• Diagnostic services (x-rays, impressions): $0 - $300
• Teeth preparations: $175 - $1,500 per tooth
• Anesthesia: $90 - $150 per visit
• Temporary veneers: $300 - $1,500 per tooth
• Porcelain veneer fabrication: $700 - $1,200 per unit
• Composite veneer fabrication: $250 - $1,100 per tooth
• Bonding/placement of veneers: $500 - $1,600 per tooth
• Follow-up visits: $0 - $200 per visit

These costs demonstrate the wide range for veneer pricing. Simple cases may only incur the lower end of the price spectrum, while complex full-mouth restorations could cost significantly more if multiple teeth require treatment.

Factors that Impact the Cost of Veneers

Every patient’s case will be different, which influences the overall expense of getting veneers. Some of the factors that can increase the costs include:

• Extensive tooth preparations - Teeth that are severely stained, misshapen, worn, or have large cavities will take longer to prepare and require more tooth structure removal.
• Need for anesthesia - Anxious patients or those with extremely sensitive teeth may need anesthesia for comfortable treatment, adding to costs.
• Complex cases - Full-mouth reconstructions, significant gaps, or bite issues will require advanced planning and skills, increasing fees.
• Custom shade matching - Achieving seamless color matching of veneers to surrounding natural teeth takes an artistic eye and adds costs.
• High-end materials - Premium or brand name porcelain or composite materials have higher laboratory charges.
• Rush service - Getting veneers made urgently on a tight timeframe increases lab fees.

On the other hand, some circumstances can help reduce overall costs:

• Minimally invasive preparations - Smaller cases like changing tooth shape or color may require little removal of natural tooth.
• In-office whitening - This conservative treatment preceding veneers can reduce the amount of custom shade matching needed.
• Conventional materials - Standard porcelain and composite materials keep lab costs down.
• Minimal anesthesia - Patients requiring little or no numbing can save on anesthesia fees.
• In-network labs - Dentists who have partnerships with dental labs may get reduced fabrication rates.
• New patient discounts - Some dentists offer promotions or discounts for first time patients.

The Cost of Dental Veneers Based on Location

Where you live also impacts how much you will pay to get dental veneers. Some cities or regions have higher costs of living and overhead expenses for dentists. Here are some average costs for veneers based on location:

• Los Angeles, CA: $925 - $2,600 per tooth
• New York City, NY: $1,000 - $2,500 per tooth
• Chicago, IL: $950 - $2,200 per tooth
• Houston, TX: $800 - $2,000 per tooth
• Philadelphia, PA: $900 - $2,100 per tooth
• Phoenix, AZ: $850 - $1,950 per tooth
• San Antonio, TX: $800 - $1,800 per tooth
• San Diego, CA: $875 - $2,050 per tooth
• Dallas, TX: $850 - $1,950 per tooth
• San Jose, CA: $900 - $2,100 per tooth
• Austin, TX: $825 - $1,900 per tooth
• Jacksonville, FL: $800 - $1,800 per tooth
• Fort Worth, TX: $825 - $1,850 per tooth
• Columbus, OH: $850 - $1,900 per tooth
• Charlotte, NC: $825 - $1,800 per tooth

As shown above, the per tooth price for veneers is generally highest in major cities on the coasts like Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. Prices are a little lower in southern and midwestern cities. However, costs can still vary significantly depending on the dentist even within the same city.

Dental Insurance Coverage for Veneers

Dental insurance typically provides little if any coverage for dental veneers since they are considered a cosmetic procedure. Most dental plans only cover functional treatments to keep teeth and gums healthy.

While veneers improve the appearance of teeth, they are not medically necessary. Only a small percentage of dental insurance plans provide some coverage for veneers. Even then, the plans usually have low annual maximum benefits of $500 to $1,500 that would make a small dent in the total costs.

Why Veneers Are Not Covered

There are a few reasons why dental insurance does not cover veneers:

• Intended for cosmetic purposes - Veneers are elective enhancements rather than required dental work.
• Typically more expensive - The higher costs per tooth exceed most allowances from insurance companies.
• Benefit limitations - Most plans have annual maximums between $1,000 - $1,500 which does not come close to veneer costs.
• Pre-existing conditions - Any pre-existing damage like stains or worn enamel are excluded as pre-existing conditions.
• Not medically necessary - Veneers are not essential for oral health, only aesthetics.

With these limitations, getting any significant coverage requires upgrading to a more premium dental insurance plan. Very few dental plans will cover veneers completely since they are pricey cosmetic enhancements.

Strategies to Get Insurance Coverage

While difficult, there are a few potential ways to get dental insurance to pay for part of the costs of veneers:

• Change jobs or insurance plans - Elect a new dental plan that covers some restorative or cosmetic benefits.
• Appeal denials - Formally request your insurance company reconsider coverage if veneers are recommended to fix defects.
• Upgrade your policy - Choose a high-end indemnity or PPO plan with improved cosmetic dentistry benefits.
• Tap flex spending - Use tax-free flexible spending account funds to pay the out-of-pocket costs.
• Negotiate discounts - Ask your dentist if they offer cash payment reductions since insurance is not covering the bill.

Even with these options, you will likely still have substantial out-of-pocket costs for your dental veneers. But you may be able to lower your costs or have insurance pick up a small portion of the total expenses.

Financing Options for Dental Veneers

Since insurance coverage is limited, financing programs allow you to pay for your veneers through more affordable monthly payments. Dental financing helps you move forward with getting the smile you want without the financial burden all at once.

Popular financing options include:

Dental Office Payment Plans

Many dentists offer in-house payment plans, allowing you to divide your treatment costs over 6, 12, or 24 months. You may need to pay interest but this allows you to budget the costs over time.

Credit Cards

Dental offices may accept different credit cards with flexible financing offers. This includes no interest plans or extended payment terms from cards like CareCredit.

Personal Loans

Banks, credit unions, and online lenders offer personal installment loans that you can use for medical treatment. You will pay interest but have fixed monthly payments.

Home Equity Loans

You can access your home’s equity to finance veneers through a home equity loan or HELOC. These have low interest rates but your home serves as collateral.

Third-party financing lets you start your veneer treatment immediately and provides affordable payment options over time. Just be sure to understand all the terms and interest rates before selecting financing.

Tips for Getting Affordable Dental Veneers

While dental veneers are an investment, there are ways to control the costs and get quality restorations at an affordable price. Here are some tips to save on your veneer treatment:

• Get multiple quotes - Compare costs among local dentists to find good pricing.
• Avoid brand name materials - Opt for quality non branded dental materials from reliable labs.
• Get a smaller number of veneers - Focus on your most visible teeth if you do not need full treatment.
• Choose composite veneers - The resin material costs significantly less than porcelain.
• Look for veneer deals - Some offices offer promotions or first-time discounts.
• Ask about payment plans - Inquire if the dentist offers interest-free financing or discounts for paying upfront.
• Consider dental tourism - Overseas dentistry in places like Mexico or Costa Rica can offer massive savings.
• Improve oral hygiene - Prevent tooth decay and erosion so you need less extensive veneer prep.

Doing your research, finding the best value, and taking good care of your teeth can help lower the overall costs for your veneers.

Are Dental Veneers Worth the Costs?

Dental veneers do come at a significant price, with full treatment ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. However, veneers offer life-changing aesthetic benefits that for many people make the costs worthwhile.

Some of the advantages that come with dental veneers include:

• Whiter, brighter smile
• Correct stained, discolored, or worn teeth
• Repair cracked, broken, fractured, or chipped teeth
• Resolve gaps from missing teeth
• Straighten mild crookedness or asymmetry
• Improve the shape and length of teeth
• Renew a youthful smile appearance
• Boost confidence and self-esteem

The combination of physical dental issues that veneers can fix coupled with the emotional and psychological benefits often make paying for veneers a sound investment in an improved smile and self-image.

However, costs should always be weighed against your specific circumstances and dental needs. There are situations where veneers may not be worth the expenditure:

• You have good natural tooth structure and only mild color discoloration
• Your teeth just need basic whitening treatments
• Other less invasive options like braces or bonding would work
• You will not properly care for veneers and risk damaging them
• The costs would impose severe financial hardship

Talk to your dentist and evaluate whether veneers are right for you. Make sure you understand exactly what the procedures entail along with the costs and insurance coverage. For many people who want to reinvent their smile, paying for dental veneers is a rewarding investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veneers cost per tooth?

The cost per tooth for dental veneers ranges from $925 to $2,500, with an average of $1,500 per tooth. Porcelain veneers are more expensive, from $1,200 to $2,500 per tooth. Composite veneers cost $250 to $1,500 per tooth.

Do insurance companies cover dental veneers?

Most dental insurance plans provide little or no coverage for dental veneers since they are considered cosmetic enhancements. Only a small percentage of plans offer partial cost-sharing for veneers up to annual limits.

What are the most affordable types of veneers?

The most affordable veneer options include composite resin veneers instead of porcelain, choosing smaller treatment plans, going with non-brand name materials from trusted labs, and looking for dentists offering promotions or discounts.

Can I pay for veneers in payments?

Since dental insurance coverage is limited, you can pay for veneers through monthly payments with financing options. Popular choices are dental payment plans, credit cards, personal loans, and tapping home equity lines of credit.

How long do dental veneers last?

With proper care, dental veneers typically last 5-10 years before needing replacement or repair. Factors like grinding teeth or poor oral hygiene can shorten the lifespan of veneers.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.