Chipped teeth can add character to your smile — but they also might make you too self-conscious to show your teeth. Whether you want to cover up those chips full-time or just need a solution for special events, snap-on veneers could work for you.
These removable appliances deliver temporary smile transformations, hiding your actual teeth behind the facade of a uniform, bright smile. You can wear them all day, every day or just pop them in for photos and meetings. But the big question is, are they the ideal solution for your smile? Here’s everything you need to know about using snap-on veneers for chipped teeth.
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What Are Snap-On Veneers?
You may have heard people call snap-on veneers Millennial dentures, but don’t let the nickname mislead you: they do more than make up for missing teeth. A dental appliance that covers all or most of the teeth in an arch, they don’t correct problems but can hide cracked, discolored, crooked, and missing teeth — and chipped teeth too!
Snap-on veneers have some notable benefits. At the top of the list is their affordability. They cost hundreds of dollars, but that’s often hundreds less than treatments you’d get from a dentist or orthodontist. And for that price, they cover up all your aesthetic dental concerns. If you want to change multiple aspects of your smile, this can save you time and money.
Unlike many cosmetic treatments, which last for years and can lock you into future treatments for life, snap-on veneers are truly temporary. You take them out when you want, and if you no longer want to use them, you can just stop.
Still, they aren’t perfect. Most snap-on veneers last about a year before you need to replace them (some last 5–10 years, though). They can slip out of place, especially once you’ve worn yours regularly for some time. Also, not everyone can use them. If you have too many missing teeth, active tooth decay or gum disease, or severe misalignments, snap-on veneers won’t be the solution for you.
Are Snap-On Veneers Effective for Chipped Teeth?
Yes, but be cautious. Snap-on veneers can cover up chips of any shape or size. They can even cover up completely missing teeth! But you need to be careful because chipped teeth are vulnerable teeth.
Your teeth are covered by protective enamel, which gives them their strength and guards against cavities. Under the enamel lies the more vulnerable dentin, and beneath that is the even more delicate pulp. When a tooth gets chipped, it’s possible that the dentin and pulp are exposed, leaving them vulnerable to bacteria that cause cavities and infections.
If your chip is small, reducing your enamel but not yet exposing the more vulnerable tissues underneath, wearing snap-on veneers is a safe way to cover it up. If your chip is large enough that it exposes the dentin and/or pulp, snap-on veneers can become hazardous.
Why? Basically, snap-on veneers sit flush against your teeth. So while you’re wearing them, they press the bacteria on your teeth into the chipped area, accelerating or outright causing decay. If you have a severely chipped tooth, you might instead consider a restorative solution such as caps, bonding, or even traditional veneers.
Best Snap-On Veneers for Chipped Teeth
Shiny Smile
Shiny Smile is our number-one choice for snap-on veneers. Customers love their products and rave about their reliable service, natural-looking veneers, and durability. Like other companies in the industry, they can hide chips of any size, and for large ones, they will add a shell to fill in the empty spot and keep the color uniform.
Pros
- Their prices are among the best in the industry; they charge just $570 to cover your top and bottom arches.
- Shiny Smile crafts their veneers from a premium co-polyester that was created just for them, so their veneers are durable enough to last up to five years.
- You can choose from three shades to get the level of brightness you want for your smile.
Cons
- Their veneers have a snug fit. This keeps them from coming loose, but can make the teeth slightly sore.
- There is just one model, so you can’t save money by getting occasional wear veneers.
Removable Veneers USA
It’s a close tie between Removable Veneers USA and Shiny Smile. While they are our number-two choice, there is plenty to love about them — especially their durability. Where most snap-on veneers last about a year, Removable Veneers USA says their products last up to ten. Like Shiny Smile, they can cover chips of all sizes and use a shell to ensure a uniform color.
Pros
- According to Removable Veneers USA, their products can last up to ten years with proper care.
- They have three shades you can choose from to customize your veneers.
- With five different payment plans, their veneers can fit into most budgets.
Cons
- They aren’t the most expensive provider, but do have some of the highest prices in the industry.
- Their veneers fit snugly, making the teeth sensitive for a few days.
TruSmile
TruSmile stands out for being one of the oldest snap-on veneer services on the market. Over the years, they’ve consistently earned great reviews for their customer service and products. While they are our number-three choice, it’s a close call between all the services on this list. Their approach for handling chipped teeth is the same as the others.
Pros
- They have three shades to choose from so you can customize the brightness of your smile.
- They’re well-known for stellar customer service.
- Their veneers are among the most affordable in the industry.
Cons
- They only offer one veneer model, so if you just need occasional wear, you pay the same as someone who wants daily wear.
- If you need to get your veneers remade, the company charges you for the shipping.
Other Treatment Options For Complex Cases
If you have a large chip, the best approach is to permanently cover or reconstruct the tooth rather than temporarily hide it. Unprotected teeth have a higher risk of developing tooth decay with or without snap-on veneers. For cases snap-on veneers can’t safely hide, we suggest one of the following treatments.
Traditional Veneers
Traditional veneers are thin shells attached directly to individual teeth. Depending on how your tooth is chipped, this can both hide the chip and protect the tooth. While there are a few different materials traditional veneers can use, porcelain is best for chipped teeth because of its strength.
Bonding
With bonding, your dentist applies resin directly to your tooth, shaping it so it fills in the chip and matches the rest of your tooth, plus the surrounding teeth. Then, the dentist cures it with a special light, making it hard enough to eat with.
Crowns
Crowns are prosthetic caps that cover either an entire tooth or just its damaged parts. This means that they can fully cover any chip, no matter where it’s located. Crowns help restore the function of damaged teeth while protecting the dentin and pulp from bacteria.
Final Thoughts
Whether snap-on veneers are a good solution for your chipped tooth really depends on whether your dentin and/or pulp is exposed. If not, snap-on veneers are a safe, affordable, and flexible fix. Otherwise, you need to work with your dentist to find a way to protect your tooth while enhancing its appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest concern when using snap-on veneers for chipped teeth?
The top concern is whether your chip exposes the dentin or pulp of the tooth. Both are vulnerable parts of the tooth and can easily develop cavities and infections when exposed to bacteria. Just having this type of chip means you can develop tooth decay if you leave it untreated, but putting snap-on veneers on top of it amplifies the risk by holding the bacteria directly against the tooth.
How do I know if I am a good candidate for snap-on veneers?
You complete an impression kit and send it back to the company to evaluate. However, an impression might not make it clear to them if your chip is risky or not. To find out if you need a restorative fix, speak with your dentist.
What are my other options for chipped teeth?
Traditional veneers, crowns, and bonding are all common ways to restore chipped teeth. All offer long-term protective fixes that should prevent tooth decay.
Will snap-on veneers affect my speech?
They can, and most people find that they do for their first week of daily wear. If you only use yours on occasion, you may need to really focus when speaking to avoid a lisp.
Can I eat with snap-on veneers?
It depends on the model. Some veneer models can withstand bite force, while others cannot. But all snap-on veneers are blunter than your natural teeth, so you can only eat certain foods.
Can I customize my snap-on veneers?
Most companies only give you a choice in the color — and there are some that don’t even offer that. Others will let you request things like lengthening specific teeth and selecting tooth shape.
How often can I wear my snap-on veneers?
If you get occasional wear veneers, you can wear them for a few hours at a time, several days a week. If you purchase daily wear veneers, you can use them during the day every day. Just remove them before bed.
Do snap-on veneers look realistic?
Typically, they look enough like natural teeth that others don’t realize you are wearing them. Just keep in mind that the level of realism varies between companies and models.
What snap-on veneers are most affordable?
It’s a near tie between Secret Veneers and TruSmile. Secret Veneers costs as little as $470 to cover both arches and TruSmile costs $499 for the same.
Can snap-on veneers cause any dental problems?
Veneers from reputable companies should never cause dental problems. However, they can exacerbate them. That’s why you shouldn’t use them if your chip exposes dentin or pulp or if you have active tooth decay or gum disease.
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