Alpha Veneers offers “snap-on” veneers that can cover up pretty much any cosmetic concerns you might have regarding your smile — and they do it for less than the cost of a single traditional porcelain veneer. But is it too good to be true? In this review, we’ll lay out everything you should know about Alpha Veneers before buying.
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Alpha Veneers at a Glance
Alpha Veneers is a snap-on veneer provider with dual headquarters: one in the UK and one in the U.S. Officially incorporated in June 2020, the company is a relative newcomer to the field. So, while they might not have the wealth of experience that some other providers can offer, snap-on veneers aren’t their parent company’s first foray into at-home cosmetic dentistry. Their sister company, AlignerCo, offers at-home clear aligners, allowing people to make meaningful changes to their smiles from the comfort of their own homes.
Since their products are removable and do not require any preparation (shaving down the enamel), Alpha Veneers are not so much a cosmetic dental treatment as they are a method of hiding the natural smile. They are placed over the existing teeth, presenting the appearance of a bright, perfectly straight smile. Because they fully hide the teeth, they can conceal a wide variety of cosmetic concerns, including:
- Slightly crooked teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Missing teeth
- Stained teeth
- Irregularities in the enamel
- Chipped teeth
- Small teeth
- Teeth with silver caps and fillings
When you compare the cost of Alpha Veneers to that of the multiple treatments necessary to address all these issues, the savings are significant. But, because they only hide problems rather than fix them, snap-on veneers aren’t right for everyone.
If you have active tooth decay or gum disease, you’ll need to treat those first. And Alpha Veneers are not compatible with fixed appliances like braces and retainers, as well as caps, crowns, and traditional veneers. Finally, they can cover missing teeth, but it depends on their positions within the mouth.
How Does Alpha Veneers Work?
You can order Alpha Veneers via their website. Scroll down to where it shows you their two different models and decide which you prefer: Occasional Wear or Daily Wear. Then select veneers for either a single arch or dual arch (for the top and bottom teeth).
On the ordering page, you’ll need to select one of their three available veneer colors. BL1 is their brightest, whitest shade. A1 is a more natural white, while A2 is a natural stain shade, which is slightly duller, like many adults’ natural teeth.
A few weeks after placing your order, your impression kit will show up at your door. This kit contains everything you need to take impressions of your teeth and safely return them to Alpha Veneers. If you feel hesitant, check out video tutorials from customers and other snap-on veneer companies. While Alpha Veneers does not have its own tutorial on YouTube, there’s no shortage of instructional videos there.
Once the company receives your impressions, an Alpha Veneers employee will check them to ensure they’re suitable. If so, they will craft your veneers, check them for quality, and ship them to you.
After receiving your Alpha Veneers, just pop them in when you want to wear them and keep them safe in their case when you don’t. Every time you put them in, be sure to clean the veneers and your teeth first. Also, if you purchase the occasional wear version, take them out before you eat.
Pros and Cons of Alpha Veneers
Alpha Veneers is our #5-ranked snap-on veneer service, and they score 3.8/5 overall based on our review criteria. They’re one of the newest snap-on veneer companies on the market, so they have a shorter track record and less information online than other companies. To help you better understand their products, here are the primary advantages and disadvantages of choosing Alpha Veneers.
Pros
- They make their veneers in three different shades, giving you control over how natural your teeth look.
- You can choose from two versions of their product to match your ideal wear schedule.
- Their veneers are among the most affordable in the industry, making it easier to get started.
Cons
- They are a newer company without many online reviews.
- They lack the customer education resources that many other companies provide.
Do the Pros Outweigh the Cons?
The answer to this question is a personal one. Really, it all comes down to what matters most to you. If price is one of your top concerns, Alpha Veneers might be the company for you. However, if you want lots of reviews for easy vetting, you’ll be better off comparing other options.
Quality
Alpha Veneers are more affordable than most cosmetic dental treatments, but they’re still an investment. And since they come into direct contact with your teeth, you’ll want assurance that they are reliable and safe to use. Products from Alpha Veneers appear to be comfortable and crafted from quality materials.
Materials
Snap-on veneers come into contact with your teeth, tongue, and saliva quite a bit, so they could have a major impact on your health. Any reputable provider should use dental-grade materials, but there are plenty of options within that category.
Acrylic and crystalized acetyl resin are the most common snap-on veneer materials. According to Alpha Veneers, their products can be made from either resin or polymer. However, they do not clarify which of their products uses each of these materials. Still, these are both considered safe and strong materials for dental appliances.
Durability
The durability of your Alpha Veneers will vary based on which model you choose. Their occasional option is only meant for special events and you shouldn’t wear them while eating. Their daily wear model is designed for everyday use, even during meals.
If you wear your snap-on veneers correctly and take proper care of them, they should last for quite a while. Alpha Veneers doesn’t provide an average lifespan for their products, but they do offer a one-year cracks guarantee. This indicates that they believe their products should last you a minimum of one year.
Comfort
We have to be honest; wearing an oral appliance can be slightly uncomfortable. Typically, this discomfort is greatest in the first few days. Your mouth’s tissues need to adjust and get acclimated to the slight pressure on your teeth.
With Alpha Veneers’ daily wear option, you should experience this adjustment rather quickly. However, if you choose occasional wear, you might experience this discomfort every time. It’s typically not significant, but since you don’t wear them often enough to adjust, you will always be aware of their presence.
Slippage
Snap-on veneers are meant to fit snugly against the teeth, holding them in place. However, there is a chance that, if made wrong, they can slip out of place. And nobody wants their veneers to wiggle around while they’re talking, laughing, and eating.
Alpha Veneers designs their products to fit as snugly as possible without risking injury to the teeth or gums. They clip on to the undercuts around the teeth, which minimizes the risk of slippage. However, if yours are loose, Alpha Veneers will remake them.
Affordability
The main draw that convinces many customers to choose snap-on veneers over other cosmetic options is the price. Depending on the issues you are looking to mask, snap-on veneers can save you tens of thousands of dollars, and Alpha Veneers is one of the most affordable options on the market.
Sticker Price
Alpha Veneers is new to the game, but they’re making a name for themselves with their low prices. If you choose the Occasional Wear veneers, you’ll pay $299 to cover one arch or $499 for both. Regular Wear veneers are more expensive since they are made from a higher-quality material, yet they’re still just $599 for a single arch or $899 for a double arch.
Financing
Many snap-on veneer providers offer financing to help make their products more accessible. This makes sense, given that these veneers often appeal to adults on a budget. Even though their sticker prices are low, Alpha Veneers does not have any financing or payment plan options for customers. If you want their products, you’ll need to pay the full price in one go.
Insurance Coverage
Since snap-on veneers are a cosmetic treatment, they’re not typically covered by dental insurance. Plus, remote providers like Alpha Veneers are usually less likely to receive insurance coverage than in-office options.
Appearance
Ultimately, the whole point of wearing snap-on veneers is to improve the look of your smile. You need to feel assured that when they arrive, they will leave you feeling confident and looking your best. But what are the key details about Alpha Veneers’ aesthetics? Let’s take a look.
Materials
Veneer materials can impact everything from how closely they match your natural teeth to the way the color reflects light. However, the biggest concern with materials is usually their thickness.
When the materials used to make snap-on veneers are overly thick, the veneers may be stronger, but they can also create teeth that look too large for your mouth. Sometimes, they also push the lips out, making them look rounded.
Alpha Veneers’ Occasional Wear veneers are thinner than their Daily Wear version. This makes sense given they need to be stronger. However, you might find that this has an impact on the appearance of your teeth that doesn’t quite align with your goals.
Colors
In general, people who want snap-on veneers would love to have a brighter smile. However, not everyone wants one that is sparkling white. Alpha Veneers has three different shades that you can select. Their brightest is meant to deliver a perfectly white Hollywood smile, to the point that even if people don’t think you have snap-on veneers, they will likely assume you’ve had some cosmetic work done.
The next shade down is a more natural white. It gives the impression of healthy, well-cared-for teeth that haven’t been discolored by aging. They also offer a slightly stained shade that matches most adults’ natural teeth, making it easier to wear your veneers without people instantly thinking that you’ve had work done.
Natural Appearance
Most of us have worn fake teeth before, but usually just as part of a Halloween costume. If your sole point of reference is playing Dracula in a high school play, you might expect that snap-on veneers will look pretty fake.
Luckily, Alpha Veneers are nothing like costume pieces. However, they also don’t perfectly match the look of natural teeth.
That statement might feel like a red flag, but don’t jump ship. This is an issue that all snap-on veneers face. Because they are made in a single piece, snap-on veneers cannot achieve the naturally present division between the teeth. Even when teeth are crowded together, you can see the lines that visually define each one. As a result, when viewed up close or at certain angles, your veneers might be noticeable to others.
Missing Teeth
A common term for snap-on veneers is Millennial dentures since they can cover gaps from missing teeth, presenting the appearance of natural teeth in their place. Depending on the strength of the veneers, they can perform some of the same functions too.
Alpha Veneers can cover multiple missing teeth in each arch. However, their veneers have their limitations. They cannot cover more than four missing teeth in a row and you must have your back molars, as these are the teeth the veneers attach to.
The company does include a false tooth attached to the veneers wherever there are gaps from missing teeth, which helps to keep the color of your veneers uniform.
Convenience
Most adults buy snap-on veneers for a quick and simple smile makeover; they aren’t trying to stress themselves with something complicated or time-consuming. Alpha Veneers facilitates fairly convenient start-up processes, production and shipping times, and day-to-day experience.
The Start-Up Process
If you want Alpha Veneers, you have to take dental impressions. These show the company the exact shape and positions of your teeth, including any gaps where they might be missing. The company needs highly accurate impressions to craft well-fitting veneers.
No matter which company you choose, this isn’t the easiest process. You have to make sure the tray you choose fits your mouth, mix your putty within a certain amount of time (counted in seconds, not minutes), shape it into the trays correctly (again, within seconds), and press the tray into your teeth correctly. It’s a brand-new experience for most, and you are on a tight timeframe, so it can be easy to make mistakes.
Alpha Veneers doesn’t offer any video tutorials, so you’ll need to search for them on your own. However, they do state that you can call the company directly to get help. Overall, this is the most difficult part of the process but shouldn’t make or break your experience.
Shipping and Production Turnaround
Alpha Veneers does not offer the option to pay extra for expedited shipping or production. When you place your order, you’re in line with everyone else.
Your impressions can influence how quickly you receive your veneers. If you delay taking them, or they’re not accurate, it will extend your timeline. In most cases, you will receive your impression kit within five days of ordering. So, if you take your impressions and send them back immediately, Alpha Veneers can get started on your veneers within about a week and a half of your initial order.
According to the customer service representative we contacted, once they have your impressions, it takes 3-4 weeks to make the veneers. Shipping then takes 3-5 days. Overall, this puts your timeline from ordering to receiving your veneers at about 40 days.
Daily Wear Experience
Overall, Alpha Veneers’ daily wear experience doesn’t differ much from other companies. You need to keep both your teeth and veneers clean, so brush and floss before you put them in, even if you only removed them temporarily. Also, clean the veneers according to the company’s instructions. Keep in mind that they must be removed before you go to sleep.
Customer Support
There is a lot that goes into providing a positive customer experience, including everything we covered above. But what about the minute, often overlooked details? While they might not be as exciting as the color and cost of your veneers, factors like guarantees and refund policies can easily make or break your snap-on veneers experience.
Guarantees and Warranties
Alpha Veneers says that they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, although their website does not offer any details. However, when we reached out to their customer support team for clarification, this is what they had to say:
“100% satisfaction guaranteed means if you need assistance, we are available 24X7 via web chat, or to reach our technical department, mail them at support@alphaveneers.com.”
Frankly, this doesn’t offer a lot of clarity as to what this 100% satisfaction guarantee includes. However, it is clear that they place focus on working with the customer to solve any issues. They will also fix or remake your veneers if there are any fit or quality issues.
Alpha Veneers products are backed by a two-year color stability guarantee. The company also offers a one-year crack guarantee, which is restricted to hairline fractures and/or minimal scratches. Heavy damages, such as holes, large cracks, or veneers that have snapped in half are not covered. However, they state that larger damages could qualify for a reduced-cost replacement.
Refund Policy
Alpha Veneers only offers full refunds before you’ve opened your impression kit. To qualify, you must ship back your unopened, unused impression kit within seven days of purchase. If you ship it within seven days but it has been opened, you can receive a refund minus $75 to cover the cost of the kit.
Once you have used the impression kit and shipped your molds in for evaluation, you are no longer eligible for a complete refund. If the company assesses your impressions and determines you are not suitable for their product, they will give you a 75% refund. If you take your impressions incorrectly and decide not to move forward, you can get a 50% refund. Changes to your dental anatomy between taking your impressions and getting your veneers do not qualify you for a refund or remake.
But what if something is wrong with your veneers? Alpha Veneers will remake them up to two times before considering a refund, as long as the problems are due to the manufacturer, not the customer. If your veneers still aren’t right after two remakes, they will offer a $125 refund. However, this is less than even their most affordable veneer option.
Customer Service Responsiveness
If you contact Alpha Veneers’ customer support team, you’ll get a fairly quick response. While email can be a little slow, their web chat support is available 24/7. When we used it to clarify aspects of their veneers and policies, they always answered within a couple of minutes. Their representatives were friendly and knowledgeable enough to answer our questions clearly.
Alpha Veneers vs. Other Snap-On Veneers
Alpha Veneers is a solid company that offers veneers designed to fit your budget. However, it isn’t the only snap-on veneer provider out there. Here are three notable companies we think are also worth considering.
Shiny Smile
Shiny Smile has some of the best reviews in the business. On top of that, they’re affordable and use durable materials. The biggest problem with choosing them? They only have one model, so you have less choice than with many other providers.
Removable Veneers USA
If your goal is to keep using snap-on veneers long term, you need to factor in the replacement costs. This is where Removable Veneers USA shines. They state that their Premium Plus Veneers can last up to 10 years, reducing your costs over time. Removable Veneers USA isn’t the most expensive option on the market, but on some products their prices are higher than Alpha Veneers.
TruSmile
Maybe you are nervous about trying snap-on veneers. If so, TruSmile’s top-notch customer support may put you at ease. They’re responsive, reliable, and they work hard to offer solutions to their customers. The trade-off is that, like Shiny Smile, they don’t have different tiers of products.
Final Thoughts
Snap-on veneers from Alpha Veneers are a solid choice for hiding imperfections that might hold you back in social settings. However, their products aren’t right for everyone. If you are missing too many teeth, have a fixed appliance, or want to make long-lasting dental changes, you’ll need traditional cosmetic dentistry.
The right choice depends on your budget, goals, and smile needs. Before you buy, take time to really research all your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do snap-on veneers look real?
It varies between companies and their different tiers of veneers. Overall, they look pretty realistic, but up close, people might notice the lack of division between the teeth. In general, companies’ premium options will look more natural than their basic models.
Is it possible to eat and drink while wearing snap-on veneers?
It depends on the veneers you buy. Some are specifically made for eating and drinking. Others are not. Don’t be afraid to ask the companies you’re considering about what their veneers can handle.
What are the most affordable snap-on veneers?
Alpha Veneers has the lowest price point of all snap-on veneer providers. Their single arch veneers for occasional wear are just $299. Compare this to the most expensive option, Brighter Image Lab IncrediBIL Veneers for both arches, which costs $2,495.
Do snap-on veneers hurt?
You might feel some discomfort at first, but just like with other oral appliances and even traditional veneers, it will subside as your mouth adjusts.
Do snap-on veneers straighten teeth?
No. They fit snugly against your teeth but should not exert enough pressure to move them. Additionally, since they are not designed to straighten teeth, any movement they caused would worsen your alignment, not improve it.
Will snap-on veneers give me a lisp?
It’s pretty normal to have a lisp when you first start wearing snap-on veneers. For most people, this goes away within a week or less. If you previously used aligners or retainers, you will likely find you don’t lisp.
How soon will I need to replace my snap-on veneers?
Each company has a different average lifespan for their veneers, which can vary between their different models. Overall, 1-3 years is pretty normal. Keep in mind that the better you care for your veneers, the longer they will last.
Are Alpha Veneers the same as the DIY kits sold online?
No, those are completely different. They are one-size-fits-all veneers that you boil and bite to shape to your teeth. These are not safe, and many people have broken their teeth while shaping them. We strongly discourage you from buying DIY veneers.
Is there an in-office option for snap-on veneers?
Yes, there is a company called Snap-On Smile. However, they are not widely available and you may need to search a bit to find a dentist offering them. This might make at-home companies a better choice for you.
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