![Cost of Veneers: With & Without Insurance [2024 Review]](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5fee3fd14df42836719a4aa2/64b7f8f54a3d135b192ca1ec_638f889e34cdb19c2a817102_how-much-do-veneers-cost-with-insurance.jpeg)
Having perfect teeth is easier said than done, and even though brushing and flossing can help your oral health to remain in top shape, your natural teeth can start to wear and tear from trauma, tooth decay, or gum disease. There are several factors, both treatable and untreatable that cause people to need or want veneers.
The good news is that there are ways to enhance the look and function of your teeth without needing to change your habits completely. Veneers are just one of many dental care options to help enhance the appearance of your mouth.
Veneers can turn your smile into a million bucks, but you shouldn’t need to pay that to get them. Here’s everything you need to know about veneers, as well as how much you can expect to pay for them without insurance.
You can think of veneers as custom shells that fit over the front surface of your teeth to conceal cracks, stains, chips, gaps, and other cosmetic abnormalities. They’re one of the most common cosmetic dentistry treatments to help make the appearance of your mouth look closer to your goals.
Although veneers are a cosmetic option, there are many reasons why people might get them. The most common reason is to maintain or create a pearly-white smile, but there are several other reasons why people might opt for veneers. If your teeth or a tooth is misshapen, veneers can help revitalize your smile. Veneers also alleviate tooth sensitivity, as they act as a shield or barrier for your teeth.
The cost of veneers varies from person to person. Dental expenses and treatments are very personal and depend on the patient’s dental health, history, and end goals. Unfortunately, even if you have dental insurance, your company will likely not cover the cost of veneers, unless there is a clear medical reason for needing them.
There are several types of veneers, all of which range in pricing. The average porcelain veneer costs between $925 to $2,5000 per tooth, while resin-based composite veneers cost between $250 to $1,500 per tooth. A full set of veneers can cost anywhere between $10,800 and $20,000.
There are a few different types of veneers, and each one offers different benefits depending on your needs.
These can conceal mild cosmetic issues, as they are made with a composite resin that is the same color as tooth enamel. This is the same material used for dental bonding, making it the best option for small chips or cracks.
While composite resin veneers are an inexpensive option, they do not last long before needing to be replaced.
Porcelain veneers are custom-fitted to match your dental aesthetic. Before placing, a dentist will remove the outer layer of enamel on the teeth so that the veneer can better bond to a rough surface. This allows the veneer to stay in place.
Porcelain veneers closely resemble the color and appearance of your real teeth. These can last up to 20 years with proper care.
Also called pop-on veneers or snap-on veneers, these cover your natural teeth and can be taken off like retainers. These can enhance your smile, but they can make it tough to eat and might give you a lisp when you talk.
Removable veneers are relatively new, so always ask your dentist if they recommend them.
No-prep veneers are a less invasive option compared to other types of veneers because they require less enamel removal. With that said, these are not as long-lasting as other options, so they might not be right for everyone.
Since veneers are purely cosmetic, no one necessarily needs them. However, if you want to enhance the appearance of your smile, these are great dental restorations to amplify your look.
Veneers can help hide:
You likely cannot get veneers if you have cavities or gum disease. If you have serious oral health complications, your dentist might need to help you find an alternative option, like dental implants.
During your initial appointment, your dentist will examine your tooth structure to ensure that veneers are safe and will actually benefit the cosmetic appearance of your teeth. Then, they will make impressions to ensure the veneers fit over your teeth as they should.
After a few weeks, a dental lab will complete your veneers and ready them for placement. During that time, a dentist might give you temporary veneers.
During your next visit, dentists will scrape off some enamel on the outside of your front teeth and shape the teeth so that the veneer fits perfectly. They’ll also check your bite and make necessary adjustments.
There’s no recovery time necessary after getting veneers, so you can return to normal activities immediately after the appointment.
Veneers are one of the most common cosmetic procedures on the market, but that doesn’t mean they’re cheap. The average cost of veneers is anywhere between $900 and $2,500 — per tooth. That means a full mouth of veneers would run you upwards of thousands of dollars.
Some of the main factors affecting the cost of veneers include:
Veneers are typically made from one of two materials: porcelain and a resin-based composite.
Many people choose porcelain veneers because they provide the patient with limitless opportunities to whiten and improve their teeth and also flawlessly reflect the natural shape of the tooth. A porcelain veneer is a strong, thin cap that is placed over the top and sides of the teeth. While you may choose to match the color of your other teeth, if you’re getting a full set of veneers, you can choose whatever shade of white you’d like.
Porcelain veneers are the more expensive option because they will not stain, they are less likely to fracture and chip, and they last many years.
A resin-based composite is another, more affordable material used for veneers. This option requires little to no enamel removal. Although resin-based veneers are not as durable as porcelain and may stain or crack over time, they are much easier to replace or fix.
Another factor that greatly impacts the cost of veneers is how many the patient requires. Although you might get a better deal per tooth on a full set of veneers, getting one or two veneers is much more affordable than getting an entire set.
Before you invest in veneers, you might want to consider more affordable dental treatments. Dental bridges can fix any gaps in your teeth, while dental bonding improves the overall look of your smile as it treats any cavities, disease, or other dental concerns.
Another factor that affects the cost of veneers is their permanence. Porcelain veneers are meant to last at least two decades on average, if not a lifetime. The procedure to get these veneers in place and on your teeth can be pretty expensive, considering everything your dentist needs to do. The temporary resin-based veneers are less expensive because they aren’t as permanent, meaning your dentist shouldn’t have to file your teeth down.
You may also want to consider the cost per wear when it comes to veneers. Well, the resin-based veneers are less expensive upfront, if you’re continuously replacing them or changing them out, the overall cost of porcelain veneers might be a more worthy investment.
One of the biggest factors that impacts the cost of veneers and dental procedures, in general, is your location. If you don’t live close to a reliable dentist, or your state does not have affordable dental care, you’re likely going to have to pay more for all of your dental operations.
The last factor that impacts the price of veneers is the dentist doing the operation. Some dentists are extremely expensive because they’ve been around for a while. Additionally, dental insurance plans do not usually cover veneers because they are considered cosmetic procedures.
In some circumstances, if it is deemed that a veneer would improve your oral health or prevent a disease, dental insurance companies may cover some or all of the healthcare costs. But this is rare, leaving you with out-of-pocket expenses if you choose this procedure.
Even if you do have insurance, it can be difficult to fork over the high cost of a set of veneers. The good news is that you have some options to make veneers more affordable.
Here are some of the options:
Talk to your cosmetic dentist about dental discount plans or payment plans. These allow you to receive dental work for a low price by paying a monthly fee. It’s sort of like insurance, but the main difference is that the monthly fees are typically lower.
The payoff is that your discount on services is less than what insurance would cover. Additionally, you can usually only go to the dentist that you’re paying the discount plan towards.
The time, materials, and effort it takes to prep veneers usually contribute to the overall cost. Because porcelain veneers are permanent, dentists usually have to grind down their patient’s tooth enamel before the tooth and gums can hold the veneer.
If you choose a no-prep veneer, the process will be quicker, more affordable, and help your teeth look more even. No-prep veneers are a great option if you’re looking to improve your teeth’s color or cover up a chip. While dentists need to grind away ½ millimeter of enamel to fit a porcelain veneer, many no-prep veneers only require a dentist to make an impression of your tooth. Sometimes, the entire process can be completed within one day.
Keep in mind that you might
need a dental crown if you ever want to reverse your veneers, but that process is much more affordable and accessible than reversing a permanent veneer.
Think of veneers as an investment in your future. Veneers have the potential to last an extremely long time, and they can keep your mouth looking picture-perfect no matter what. But you need to make sure you’re taking good care of them.
Brushing and flossing your teeth are still essential to oral hygiene, as well as visiting your dentist’s office once every six months. You also want to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent abrasion on the surface of the tooth. Teeth whitening products should be avoided, as these can scratch the surface of your veneers.
Additionally, try to avoid biting directly into hard foods like carrots or apples. Instead, cut them up and chew with the back teeth. Finally, even though traditional veneers are stain-resistant, it’s always a good idea to avoid staining foods and drinks like coffee or wine when you can.
Veneers are like pearly white shields that go over the surface of your teeth to enhance your smile. They can conceal cracks, chips, stains, and more to make your smile look better than ever before.
Since veneers are cosmetic procedures, most insurance companies do not cover the cost of them. This leaves you with the expense of paying out of pocket, which can run upwards of thousands of dollars for a full set of veneers. Check with your insurance provider to confirm coverage.
Sources:
Dental Bonding: What is Teeth Bonding & What to Expect | Cleveland Clinic
