The Cost of Porcelain Veneers

The average cost of porcelain veneers ranges from $800 to $3,000 per tooth, depending on the material used and your dentist's experience. Some veneers can be manufactured in your doctor's office, while others are hand-crafted by ceramists in a dental laboratory. The method of manufacturing the veneers and the time it takes to create each veneer can also impact your total cost. If you choose to complement veneers with other cosmetic procedures, you can expect to pay more for treatment.

Type of Material

The average cost of porcelain veneers ranges from $800 to $3,000 per tooth, depending on the material used and your dentist's experience.

Your dentist can use one of several types of dental porcelain to create veneers. Each material offers unique advantages and varies in cost. Most dentists allow you to choose between traditional veneers and thinner minimal-prep veneers, such as Lumineers®. In general, more expensive materials are more durable and natural-looking as compared to traditional options. 

Pressed Ceramic

When fabricated from pressed ceramic, porcelain veneers can realistically mimic the shade and translucency of natural teeth. IPS e.max® Press and Empress® are two of the most common pressed ceramics used during treatment. While these options have different compositions, they are similar in price. 

Feldspathic Veneers

To craft feldspathic veneers, a lab technician carefully layers liquid porcelain into an impression of the patient’s tooth. This intricate layering technique creates exceptionally natural-looking results. However, the level of skill required as well as the time-consuming process make feldspathic veneers one of the most costly options available.

Minimal- or no-prep veneers

Depending on your choice of dentist, no-prep veneers can cost about as much as Empress or e.max crowns, though in some cases, they may be slightly more expensive. The advantage of choosing a thinner low-prep veneer is that the process is reversible. With a traditional veneer, the structure of your tooth is altered, meaning you will likely need some kind of restoration in the future. In contrast, you can have a minimal-prep veneer removed, and your natural tooth can function without a restoration of any kind. 

Choosing Your Dentist

The dentist you choose plays a large role in determining how much your treatment will cost. An experienced dentist with a reputation for delivering high quality results will likely charge more than a less experienced practitioner. However, one of the best ways to ensure you are happy with the results of your porcelain veneer treatment is to choose a dentist with a track record of success.

Extent of Treatment

In general, the more veneers you need, the more your treatment will cost. That said, matching a single veneer to surrounding teeth is much more difficult than matching multiple veneers to each other. If the initial veneer does not blend seamlessly into your smile, the lab may need to make a second. As a result, your dentist may charge a premium for a single veneer.

Manufacturing Method

How and where veneers are fabricated can affect both the quality and price of your treatment. Many dentists work with offsite dental laboratories, where technicians and ceramists create veneers by hand. Other practices invest in in-office devices which can manufacture certain restorations without the need for a lab. These technologies can save you hundreds of dollars in lab fees. However, computer-aided manufacturing devices rarely provide the same aesthetic effects as handmade veneers. 

Geographic Location

The location of your dentist’s practice can have an impact on the price of your veneers as well. Factors such as higher overhead costs in urban areas and increased levels of demand can all raise or lower the cost of treatment. 

Complementary Treatments

In some cases, you may wish to incorporate veneers into a custom smile makeover. Teeth whitening and gum contouring can complement veneers and enhance the overall appearance of your smile. Professionally whitening your teeth can add $300 to $1,000 to the price of your treatment, while laser gum contouring can add $300 to $3,000 depending on how many teeth you want to treat. 

Paying for Your Veneers

A set of porcelain veneers can enhance your smile and boost your self-confidence. Since porcelain veneers are a purely cosmetic procedure, they are not generally covered by insurance. However, there are a variety of financing options that can help you manage out-of-pocket expenses. Your dentist may accept third-party financing or offer in-house payment plans with low or no interest. Discuss all of your options with your dentist before beginning treatment to determine the best way to meet your goals within your budget.