Shiny Smile and Brighter Image Lab are two of the biggest names in the temporary smile transformation game. Removable and made to disguise multiple cosmetic dental concerns, their snap-on veneers look pretty similar on the surface. But when you look closer, you’ll discover some significant differences.
We did the digging on Shiny Smile and Brighter Image Lab, reading in-depth reviews, searching their websites, talking to the companies, and watching customer testimonials. Below, you’ll see just how these two companies stack up.
Table of Contents
Overview & Recommendation
Two Great Companies, but Shiny Smile Comes Out on Top
With Shiny Smile and Brighter Image Lab, you get high-quality snap-on veneers that present a beautiful smile to the world. So, what gives Shiny Smile the advantage?
- They are consistently well-reviewed by customers and the Better Business Bureau.
- Their snap-on veneers look similar to traditional veneers.
- They keep the ordering process simple and speedy.
- Their prices are accessible.
- They focus on customer education.
Is Shiny Smile Right for You?
We researched lots of snap-on veneers, and Shiny Smile stood out from the rest. We gave them 4.5/5 stars in our five categories: quality, affordability, appearance, convenience, and customer support. While the best snap-on veneers for you depend on your priorities, budget, and aesthetic preferences, Shiny Smile is a solid choice for most people.
Company Backgrounds
Snap-on veneers are a fairly new approach to the smile makeover, dating back around ten years. Founded in 2019, Shiny Smile is one of the youngest companies in the industry. In this brief amount of time, they have really made a name for themselves. And since they only sell snap-on veneers, they can put all their energy into crafting the best product possible.
Brighter Image Lab, on the other hand, is a snap-on veneer pioneer. Theirs are the oldest in the business, and they laid the foundation for other companies — even fighting and winning lawsuits against dental boards to retain the right to sell their snap-on veneers. They started in 1997 as a teeth whitening company and have since branched out, offering multiple smile transformation solutions direct to the consumer.
How Does the Quality Compare?
You want snap-on veneers that are attractive, affordable, easy to use, and backed by great customer support. But none of these features mean much if the veneers are of low quality. You need to feel assured that yours are well made, built to last, and comfortable. And both companies produce durable veneers with premium materials.
Shiny Smile Quality
Brighter Image Lab Quality
- Made from a proprietary co-polyester resin manufactured in Germany and imported to the United States.
- The veneers can remain in good shape for up to five years.
- Thin and flexible, they fit against the teeth better than most.
- Makes their veneers with crystallized resin that was originally developed by NASA.
- States that their veneers should last “several” years.
- Their thinness and flexibility vary by model.
Materials
There are plenty of materials companies use for snap-on veneers — and some are better than others. The two most common materials are acrylic or crystallized acetyl resin.
Shiny Smile steps outside the box. They use a proprietary co-polyester resin manufactured in Germany and imported to the United States. This makes their veneers flexible enough that the teeth can adjust to their presence, reducing discomfort. It also makes them durable enough to not lose their shape or integrity with frequent wear.
Brighter Image Lab makes their veneers from a type of crystallized resin which they say was originally developed by NASA. It’s similar to the material in high-end dentures, so Brighter Image Lab veneers are pretty durable. For their highest-tier model, IncrediBIL Veneers, they use a thinner and slightly translucent premium material that doesn’t sacrifice durability.
Durability
Most snap-on veneer companies offer multiple models, giving you control over the durability depending on how often you intend to wear your veneers. Shiny Smile doesn’t offer this; they have one model that is durable enough to wear for up to 20 hours per day.
Brighter Image Lab goes with the more traditional approach, offering three different models with different levels of durability. Press-On Veneers are their basic model, meant for occasional wear, but not for eating. BIL Veneers and IncrediBIL Veneers — their mid-range and top-tier models — are durable enough for daily wear and you can leave them in when you eat.
You can expect both companies’ veneers to last at least one year. Shiny Smile says theirs can last up to five if you care for them properly. Brighter Image Lab doesn’t give an exact timeline, but say their veneers can last “several” years.
Comfort
It’ll take some time to get accustomed to wearing any snap-on veneers. Having an appliance on your teeth is a little awkward those first few days. But there is a big difference between a short adjustment period and ongoing discomfort.
Shiny Smile’s veneers are quite thin, making them less intrusive than most retainers, aligners, and even other snap-on veneer companies. Most find their initial lisp goes away within a few days. The primary complaint is some initial tooth soreness.
The comfort of Brighter Image Lab veneers depends on which model you buy. Press-On Veneers are their thickest, making them the most obtrusive. This affects how your tongue and lips fit against them, and not everyone adjusts quickly. BIL Veneers are thinner, and IncrediBIL Veneers are the thinnest, so with each tier, you see an increase in comfort.
Slippage
It’s a common concern with dentures — the teeth slip out of place when you’re talking or eating. It may not be the end of the world, but it’s certainly something you want to avoid.
Shiny Smile veneers fit snugly around your teeth, so slippage is rarely an issue, especially when the veneers are new. If you experience any slippage, the company is happy to adjust or remake the veneers. Just keep in mind that veneers loosen over time, especially if you wear them every day.
Slippage isn’t common with Brighter Image Lab veneers either. However, it’s more likely with their Press-On Veneers than their other models. Once again, customers report the company is happy to correct this, so it shouldn’t be a major concern.
Which Offers the Better Value?
Part of what makes snap-on veneers so appealing is their price, which can be thousands of dollars cheaper than traditional veneers. Even when held up against more affordable treatments, snap-on veneers are often significantly cheaper while covering up more issues. Shiny Smile is one of the industry’s most affordable snap-on veneers, hundreds cheaper than Brighter Image Lab.
Shiny Smile Affordability
Brighter Image Lab Affordability
- Shiny Smile costs $370 for one arch or $570 for both.
- They have two in-house financing plans.
- You aren’t pushed to purchase extras. You can choose to pay more for expedited shipping or an extended warranty.
- Price varies by model. Costs range from $1,290-$2,495 for both arches or $795-$1,495 for one.
- They offer both in-house and third-party financing, but the third-party option increases your total significantly.
- They offer lots of extras, none of which are required, but some of which might be essential to your goals (like coverage for missing molars).
Sticker Price
Shiny Smile isn’t the cheapest in the snap-on veneer industry. However, it comes close, and compared to Brighter Image Lab, it offers incredible savings.
Shiny Smile has just one model, and it costs $370 for one arch or $570 for both. For this price, you get the veneers, impression kit, shipping, a toothbrush, and a protective case for your veneers.
Brighter Image Lab has the dubious honor of being the most expensive snap-on veneer provider. Press-On Veneers are their most affordable model, made for occasional wear. They come in at $1,290 for both arches or $795 for one. That’s a hefty price tag for veneers you can’t wear every day.
Most people purchase the BIL Veneers — their mid-range model. These stand up to daily wear, which gives more justification to their cost: $1,590 for both arches or $995 for one. Their top-of-the-line option, IncrediBIL Veneers, will run you $2,495 for both arches or $1,495 for one.
Financing
Whether you choose Shiny Smile or Brighter Image Lab, you might find the prices too high to pay all at once. If so, don’t worry. Both companies offer financing options that make things easier on your budget.
Shiny Smile requires a $295 down payment and then breaks the remaining balance into equal installments. However, you’ll end up paying about $22 more than if you paid the total cost up front.
Like Shiny Smile, Brighter Image Lab offers an in-house payment plan. For this, you’ll pay half at the time of purchase, and the other half when Brighter Image Lab receives your completed impression kit. They also offer third-party financing, which involves a downpayment followed by weekly payments.
Brighter Image Lab claims that they have access to deals from the lab that their financing partner can’t match. This basically means that the prices advertised on their site are if you pay upfront, not the prices you pay if you opt for third-party financing. While it’s technically true that these plans don’t have interest, you’ll still end up paying between 48%-60% more than buying outright (or using the in-house plan).
Insurance Coverage
Currently, dental policies don’t cover the cost of snap-on veneers. While some might cover part of more traditional cosmetic procedures (in very limited cases), snap-on veneers are still fairly new and not among the typically covered treatments.
Additional Expenses
Neither company has any must-have extras to purchase — all add-ons are optional. However, Brighter Image Lab strongly encourages customers to make additional purchases, some of which might not be vital to wearing your veneers but could help them meet your expectations.
Shiny Smile has just two additional expenses. You can pay $100 to extend your 15-month warranty for an additional 15 months. And if you want your veneers ASAP, you can pay $150 to speed up their manufacturing and shipping.
Brighter Image Lab has six additional items/services you can purchase:
- Express Processing ($149) and Ultra Express Processing ($249)
- Two-year extended warranty ($149)
- Printed teeth models ($99 each)
- Extra teeth added to the veneers ($125 each)
- Glazing ($99)
- Ultrasonic Cleaning System ($74)
Out of these, the extra teeth and glazing might be essential to your veneer experience. The extra teeth refers to additional molar coverage, since Brighter Image Lab veneers do not cover all the teeth. Glazing helps the veneers look nicer and protects against staining.
How Do Their Appearances Compare?
The primary function of snap-on veneers is to hide cosmetic imperfections. To accomplish this goal, they need to look better than your natural teeth and match your aesthetic preferences. What makes a snap-on veneer good looking is subjective, so you’ll need to give a lot of thought to your wants and needs while evaluating your options.
Shiny Smile Appearance
Brighter Image Lab Appearance
- The material is thin, so it doesn’t make your teeth look large or push your lips outward.
- You can select your veneer color from three different shades.
- They cover missing teeth and fill in the gaps so the color of your veneers won’t change.
- The thickness of the material varies based on the model you choose.
- You can choose one of two colors for your veneers.
- Their veneers only cover the first 8-10 teeth in each arch, and they charge extra to cover additional missing or damaged molars.
Materials
Earlier, we examined the quality of Shiny Smile’s and Brighter Image Lab’s materials. Now, it’s time to evaluate them from an aesthetic perspective.
Shiny Smile’s proprietary material is extra thin, which ensures your teeth don’t end up looking too long or too thick. It also stops the veneers from pushing your lips outward.
Brighter Image Lab uses different materials for their veneer models. Press-On Veneers and BIL Veneers use the same material, though the manufacturing processes are different, which affects their appearance. As a result, the Press-On Veneers are the thickest, and some customers have said they make the teeth too long or thick for their liking.
BIL Veneers might have the same material, but they’re slightly thinner, giving them a lower profile. However, their IncrediBIL veneers use the thinnest and most natural material, making them the least noticeable.
Colors
Typically, if you are going for a smile makeover, you want your teeth to look whiter. Still, not everyone wants that megawatt Hollywood grin. Shiny Smile gives you three shades to choose from: bright white, pearl, and champagne.
Brighter Image Lab keeps it a bit simpler by just offering two shades: bright white and natural white. There is one exception: Press-On Veneers from Brighter Image Lab. They only offer this model in natural white.
Natural Appearance
The biggest fear when buying snap-on veneers is that they’ll look fake — more dime-store Dracula than Hollywood diva.
Shiny Smile veneers closely mimic the appearance of your natural teeth. While people might suspect you’ve had a little work done, they are unlikely to jump to the conclusion that you have snap-on veneers.
With Brighter Image Lab, the higher the tier, the more natural they look. Press-On Veneers have the least-natural look, with greater thickness and gum line contouring that the company states can be slightly off. BIL Veneers are similarly thick but they’re hand-detailed, which helps them look less manufactured. They also follow the gum line better.
IncrediBIL Veneers, however, have perhaps the most natural look of all snap-on veneers. In addition to superior thinness, they’re also slightly translucent. Don’t worry; this doesn’t mean your natural teeth show through. Rather, these veneers mimic the appearance of enamel, making them hyper-realistic.
Tooth Division
Your natural teeth have divisions between them, yet snap-on veneers are one solid piece per arch, so there’s no space between the teeth. But both companies do an impressive job of making it seem like there is.
Shiny Smile makes the ridges between the teeth deeper than many competitors, so it is pretty hard for people to spot them. With Brighter Image Lab, this once again depends on the veneer model. Press-On Veneers have minimal definition between the teeth. BIL Veneers and IncrediBIL Veneers are hand-detailed, which includes deeper ridges.
Missing Teeth
One of the most notable features of snap-on veneers is that they cover missing teeth, giving you back a little function and enhancing the look of your smile. The problem is that just covering them isn’t enough. Without filler, the veneers can look different wherever you have gaps. Unfortunately, Shiny Smile doesn’t place anything in the gaps — so color uniformity isn’t necessarily a given.
Brighter Image Lab does use a placeholder to fill in these gaps, which keeps their color more uniform. However, because their veneers only cover the first 8-10 teeth per arch, if you are missing back molars, those gaps will stay. They offer to extend the coverage of the veneers if you request it, but you’ll pay more for each additional tooth or gap you cover.
Stain Resistance
Both Shiny Smile and Brighter Image Lab veneers are stain-resistant. While discoloration can build up on the surface of the veneers, you can remove it with simple cleaning, and the veneers themselves should not change color unless the outermost surface gets damaged. Brighter Image Lab also gives you the option to add glazing to your veneers, which further protects them against staining.
Which Is More Convenient?
All snap-on veneers require some effort. Still, they’re pretty convenient, no matter which company you choose. To understand how easily veneers will fit into your life, you need to look at everything from taking impressions to how to care for your clip-in smile.
Shiny Smile Convenience
Brighter Image Lab Convenience
- They include detailed instructions and host video tutorials for the impression process.
- You should get your veneers about 3-5 weeks after you send in your impressions.
- You’ll need to clean your veneers twice a day when you brush your teeth.
- They have one of the most informative instructional videos for taking impressions.
- It can take more than a month to get your veneers after you send in your impressions.
- You’ll need to clean your veneers at least twice a day, whenever you brush your teeth.
Start-Up Process
The snap-on veneer journey starts with dental impressions. Shiny Smile and Brighter Image Lab are both fully remote treatments, and that means you’ll be making these molds yourself.
It can be a daunting process, but Shiny Smile and Brighter Image Lab both offer detailed instructions in their kits, extra putty in case you make a mistake, and online video tutorials that walk you through the process. Brighter Image Lab’s video content is especially helpful. Their tutorial features founder Bil Watson taking his own impressions and walks you through everything in real time — including what happens when you make a mistake. It’s easily the best primer on taking your own impressions we’ve come across.
Shipping and Production Turnaround
Chances are you have a deadline in mind for your snap-on veneers. It could be firm, like a graduation, or something more general, like summertime. Either way, you can’t wait forever for your new smile.
Shiny Smile’s typical shipping and production turnaround is 3-5 weeks from the day they receive your impressions. You can pay more to expedite the process, which shortens that timeline to two weeks.
Brighter Image Lab has one of the longest turnaround times in the industry. You’ll need to wait 30 days from the time they receive your impressions to receive your veneers. This is because the company makes their veneers in batches, waiting for a certain number of orders to come in before starting production on any of them. You can pay extra for Express Processing to get your veneers in 14-17 days or Ultra Express Processing, which has a turnaround of as little as 7-10 days.
Daily Wear Experience
The daily wear experience with snap-on veneers is simple. You clean your veneers at least twice per day — whenever you brush and floss works well. And when you aren’t wearing your veneers, you should keep them in their protective case.
The one aspect where Shiny Smile and Brighter Image Lab diverge is on how to handle veneers at mealtimes. Since Shiny Smile has one model, meant for all-day wear, you do not need to remove their veneers before eating.
Brighter Image Lab’s Press-On Veneers can’t typically stand up to anything harder than pudding or gelatin, so you’ll need to remove them for pretty much every meal (if yours don’t cover your back molars, you might have a workaround on this). You can eat while wearing your BIL Veneers and IncrediBIL Veneers, though you’ll have an easier time with IncrediBIL because they’re thinner.
You need to avoid hot beverages and other heat sources with any snap-on veneers, since high temperatures can weaken or warp them.
How Well Do They Support Their Customers?
With any remote cosmetic dental appliance, you need quality support. From getting answers to your questions to receiving help when things go wrong, you need to feel confident that the company you choose will have your back. While Shiny Smile has cultivated a supportive and satisfactory customer experience, it seems like Brighter Image Lab has some room for improvement here.
Shiny Smile Customer Support
Brighter Image Lab Customer Support
- Shiny Smile’s veneers come with a 15-month warranty that covers color changes and structural damage.
- They emphasize customer education, hosting one of the best online libraries for snap-on veneers.
- You can contact customer support by email or phone.
- All products come with a 30-day warranty and a satisfaction guarantee.
- While their actual website has little customer education, their YouTube channel has some of the best snap-on veneers video content available.
- You can get in touch by phone, email, or web chat.
Guarantees & Warranties
Shiny Smile doesn’t explicitly offer a satisfaction guarantee, however they will remake your veneers up to three times if you have issues with fit or function. Their veneers come with a 15-month warranty which covers color changes and structural damage. If your veneers stain during this time, Shiny Smile will polish them or provide you with a replacement. And if your veneers cracks from normal use, Shiny Smile will repair them or send you a replacement.
According to Brighter Image Lab’s website, if you dislike the fit of your veneers, you can fill out their “Return for Adjustment” form, then return them according to the steps outlined in their terms and conditions. They will repair or remake them, depending on what they feel is the right course of action.
They also have a 30-day warranty that covers issues relating to structural integrity as long as you are wearing your veneers correctly and giving them proper care. However, some customers have complained that Brighter Image Lab has either denied their requests, or charged them fees for remakes, then never delivered.
Refund Policy
Neither Shiny Smile nor Brighter Image Lab offers refunds on their veneers. However, you might get a refund if you return your impression kit unused. The only exception to this is if you send in your impressions and they determine you are not a candidate. In this case, both companies will offer complete refunds.
Customer Education
You’ll have a learning curve with any new product. But using snap-on veneers is a little more complicated than, say, a specialty conditioner. It’s on the veneer companies to make sure you don’t feel lost.
Shiny Smile and Brighter Image Lab both excel here, but in their own ways. Shiny Smile focuses on written guides that dig deep into everything related to snap-on veneers. You can find these on their website under the Snap-On Veneers FAQ tab.
Brighter Image Lab focuses more on video content. While some are embedded in their website, we suggest heading over to their YouTube channel instead; it’s easier to navigate and more comprehensive.
Customer Service Responsiveness & Helpfulness
With remote cosmetic dental solutions, you don’t have a local doctor to answer your questions. This makes the customer support team extra important. Shiny Smile’s team is less available than most of their competitors. You can reach them by phone or email on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT. The good news is that they are responsive and friendly during their office hours.
Brighter Image Lab is much easier to contact. They are available Monday through Friday, 24 hours a day. Their representatives are also available on weekends, but the hours vary. And unlike Shiny Smile, they also have a web chat feature.
While researching Brighter Image Lab, we reached out to the company multiple times. We never waited more than about one minute for a response, and they were always friendly and helpful. However, some customer reviews have stated that the company is difficult to contact or unhelpful regarding returns and remakes.
What Are Customers Saying?
With every product we review, we first head to the most honest source of information: actual customers. If the people with first-hand experience are less than impressed with their purchase, we won’t recommend it. Here’s what Shiny Smile and Brighter Image Lab customers are saying.
Shiny Smile
Out of all the companies we reviewed, none were as beloved by its customers as Shiny Smile. Some reviewers had minor complaints, but it was hard to find anyone who was genuinely disappointed with their veneers. Over and over, we read about how much they loved the natural look, their comfy feel, and superior durability of their veneers.
The most common complaint was the soreness some customers experienced during the first few days of wear. While their tight fit prevents slippage, it isn’t always comfy at first. Some also found that their veneers were too sharp and they needed to file down the edges.
Interested in hearing it directly from the customers themselves? Here are some Shiny Smile reviews on YouTube we found to be extra helpful.
Brighter Image Lab
Brighter Image Lab’s customer reviews are a mixed bag. Many people who purchase their BIL Veneers and IncrediBIL Veneers are happy with their experience and love their hand-detailing. Most customers who have received their veneers seem pleased with their quality and appearance.
On their Better Business Bureau page, though, the company has many unresolved complaints. There are a few common issues — no matter which tier of veneers you are looking at. First, their prices are steep for snap-on veneers. Second, their production times are somewhat slow. Third, some customers say that Brighter Image Lab simply didn’t deliver their products, or that they made it difficult to get repairs or remakes.
To Brighter Image Lab’s credit, the BBB says they’re taking specific actions to remedy the most common complaints customers have. They appear to respond to most reviews, and as we said above, many customers are happy with their products.
Important note: Brighter Image Lab’s Terms & Conditions says that by purchasing their products, you’re agreeing not to post any negative remarks without including a statement that essentially says the company is blameless. And if you post anything negative anyway, they will take legal action. This puts the overall tone of their reviews into question, since many disappointed customers may have held back or deleted negative reviews for fear of being sued.
Of course, we’re just summarizing what customers had to say. Now it’s time to hear it from them yourself.
Which Should You Choose?
Still not sure which company is right for you? We suggest the following:
Choose Shiny Smile if…
You want veneers customers love and a natural-looking smile.
Choose Brighter Image Lab if…
You want to partner with an experienced company that hand details their premium veneers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can snap-on veneers damage the teeth?
If your snap-on veneers are manufactured correctly and you wear them according to the directions, they should not cause any damage to your teeth or gums. However, this is why working with a reputable provider is so important. Many companies sell press-on veneers on sites like Amazon that are just boil-and-bite mouthguards. If you purchase these, you can expect to experience tooth problems.
Do snap-on veneers hurt?
Most people experience some soreness in the first few days of wearing their veneers. Since they snap onto the teeth, this adds a new type of pressure. Once the ligaments adjust to this pressure, the soreness should go away.
The other “pain” you might feel is at the gumline. Sometimes, the veneers’ upper edge is sharp and can dig into the gums. Usually, you can file this down with a nail file and the pain will go away.
Do snap-on veneers straighten teeth?
No, but they can cover up gaps and crowding. Snap-on veneers are not designed to move the teeth. If your teeth shift after starting with snap-on veneers, stop using them immediately and contact the company.
Are there affordable teeth-straightening treatments?
Yes! At-home clear aligners are often thousands of dollars less than in-office treatments. While they cannot correct all orthodontic conditions, they can eliminate mild cases of crowding and spacing.
Will I have a lisp while wearing snap-on veneers?
It’s likely, but not guaranteed. Some people — usually those who have previously used aligners or retainers — adjust to wearing them right away. For others, it takes a few days to a couple of weeks.
How soon will I need to replace my snap-on veneers?
Most companies state that theirs should last a minimum of one year. However, some can last up to ten years.
Is there anything I can do to extend their lifespan?
Yes. First, follow the directions given to you by the company. Second, remove them when eating whenever possible. Third, always keep them safely stored in their container and away from heat when you’re not wearing them.
How do you clean snap-on veneers?
You can brush them just like you would a retainer. Just use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
Are these veneers the same as those in the DIY kits sold online?
Absolutely not. Those products are not individualized and involve boiling and biting the veneers, which can cause tooth damage — or even tooth loss. Customized snap-on veneers use safe materials and processes, and they’re tailored to your dental anatomy.
Are there in-office snap-on veneers?
Yes, there is an option called Snap-On Smile. It is dentist-directed and more customizable than at-home options. However, it also costs thousands more than most remote snap-on veneers.
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