The True Cost of Veneers

Veneers are little shells applied to the fronts of your teeth, giving you a brand new smile in just one or two appointments. They can address issues like discoloration, small gaps, or chipped and smaller than average teeth.

They’re a rapid teeth makeover option in an industry that is usually pretty gradual and methodical — but you’ll pay a pretty penny to enjoy their cosmetic benefits. In this guide, we will explore the true cost of veneers, from materials to durability, as well as how they compare to other methods of smile transformation.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Veneers?

Veneers are typically priced per tooth, so their prices can vary wildly from one person to the next. Most people choose to have eight veneers since those are the teeth that get the most attention when we smile. So, when you’re looking at the price of veneers, know that multiplying the per tooth figure by eight is likely to give you a better idea of your total cost.

These costs often fall between $250 and $2,500 per tooth (or $2,000–$20,000 for eight teeth). That’s a wide range, and it’s because prices depend on the veneer material, among other factors. Veneers are made of either porcelain or resin/composite materials.

Porcelain veneers are more expensive, but significantly more durable, than composite ones. So even though they require more of an investment upfront, they may save you money in the long run, since you won’t have to get them replaced as often.

Veneers are also a recurring expense since, to affix them to your teeth, your dentist will need to remove some of your enamel. Taking away the protective layer of your tooth commits you to veneers permanently.

However, veneers themselves will not last forever — even the longest-lasting veneers have a lifespan of 10–15 years. So you will need to be able to pay for treatment not just once, but likely three times or more. The exception is no-prep veneers, which we cover below.

Types of Veneers (and Their Costs)

The price of your veneers largely depends on their materials and the way the dentist affixes them to your teeth. There are two main types of veneers: traditional and “no-prep.”

Traditional veneers have a more invasive application process, as they require permanent damage to your enamel. No-prep veneers don’t require any enamel removal or anesthesia, but they’re less durable and long-lasting.

Traditional Veneers

Traditional veneers offer two different options for materials: porcelain or composite. With both kinds, the dentist will need to shave down your enamel, which is irreversible. It’s possible that this process will require a local anesthetic because of its invasive and sometimes painful nature. Any specialized procedure can add to your total cost.

Many dental professionals favor porcelain veneers for their durability, stain resistance, and appearance. They can last between 10 and 15 years, but they’re also the most expensive option — ranging from $925 to $2,500 per tooth.

Composite (resin) veneers have a lower price per tooth, averaging $250–$1,500. However, these veneers are not as durable and stain-resistant as porcelain ones and typically only last 5–7 years. So even though the price is lower, you’ll need to replace them more often.

Your enamel cannot grow back, so removing it means you are making a lifelong commitment to veneers because your teeth can no longer protect themselves. Keep this permanence in mind when you’re deciding whether veneers are a good match for you.

“No-Prep” Veneers

No-prep veneers are a great alternative if you love the look of veneers but don’t feel comfortable with the permanent enamel damage that comes with traditional options.

These veneers also use porcelain or resin/composite materials. No-prep veneers usually cost $800 and $2,000 per tooth, giving them a lower price point than traditional porcelain veneers, but a higher price than traditional composite veneers.

No-prep veneers are not as durable as traditional porcelain veneers, and you should account for their relative fragility when deciding which option is best for you, since this will mean more frequent replacements (every 5–7 years).

These are thinner than traditional porcelain veneers, so they may not be a great fit for everyone. If you’re interested in veneers because you have dark stains, a thicker veneer like traditional porcelain might be a better match for your specific needs.

No-prep veneers are a great option if you aren’t sure you’ll want to commit to veneers permanently. But if you do decide you want veneers for life, no-prep veneers will cost you more in the long run because you’ll have to replace them more frequently.

Pre-Treatment Expenses

Veneers are intended for minor cosmetic concerns, like misshapen, chipped, broken, or discolored teeth. And while they can drastically change your smile, they don’t move your teeth. So if you’re dealing with severe jaw, bite, or crowding/spacing issues, you might need orthodontic treatment prior to getting your veneers, adding $1,000–$8,000 to your total price — or more if you get specialty braces.

Recurring Expenses

As we touched on earlier, traditional veneers are not a one-time expense, since teeth with shaved-down enamel always need something covering them. That means you’ll need to replace your veneers whenever they wear out, unless you go with a no-prep option.

Breakage and Staining

Veneers aren’t as strong as your natural teeth, so they can break or chip, requiring replacement. Though porcelain options are stain-resistant, they can still discolor slightly over time. However, unlike your teeth, you can’t whiten veneers. So if you’d like a brighter smile, your only option will be to replace them.

You can extend the life of your veneers, saving you money in the long run, by avoiding hard foods (or using your back teeth to bite them). As far as staining is concerned, the same rules apply to veneers as your real teeth: quit smoking, drink coffee through a straw when possible, and rinse your mouth with water after having red wine or other pigmented foods and drinks.

If you consume many foods or drinks that stain teeth, traditional porcelain veneers may be a better match for you, since they’re more stain-resistant than composite veneers.

Veneer Lifespan

If your porcelain veneers complete their full life span without breaking, you’ll still need to replace all of them when they wear out. If you’re getting eight veneers, that means you’ll be paying between $7,400–$20,000 every 10–15 years for porcelain veneers. That doesn’t include occasional breaks or damage you may need to cover as well.

You’ll need to replace composite veneers more frequently, which will cost $2,000–$12,000 every 5–7 years for eight teeth. Not to mention any breaks you may experience, which will happen more frequently with composite materials than they would with porcelain.

Since no-prep veneers leave your enamel intact, they give you the freedom to decide not to continue with your treatment. So even though they’re more fragile and might break more often than traditional options, you are not obligated to take on these expenses if you decide you don’t want veneers anymore. However, if you do decide you’d like to continue with treatment, you will probably pay $6,400–$16,000 every 5–7 years to cover eight teeth.

Other Price Factors

Beyond just the cost of the veneers themselves, other expenses can contribute to the price of your veneers. Since this is a recurring expense, any savings you find could really add up in the long run.

Office Location

Typically, the higher a place’s cost of living, the more it costs to receive treatment there. Offices in expensive places typically have higher rent and utilities — not to mention higher pay for their staff. So if possible, getting treatment outside of a city may lower your treatment price.

However, it’s also true that cities tend to have more dentists per capita than rural or suburban locations, so sometimes this competition will drive the prices down a bit. We suggest shopping around to see which place will be the best fit for you and your budget.

Financing Options

Usually, the dental office where you receive your treatment will offer some sort of in-house financing option like a payment plan. Check with them to learn more about your options. Plus, sometimes dentists offer package deals on their veneers, so if you buy X amount, they’ll offer you a discount.

Insurance Coverage

Insurance providers commonly view veneers as an elective cosmetic treatment, so it’s unlikely that they will provide coverage. However, if you are getting veneers due to a specific injury or dental issue that could grow into a larger health concern, they might cover part of the cost.

How Does the Cost Compare to Other Options?

Veneers offer faster, more drastic changes to your smile than other treatments, though it’s usually a more expensive and invasive procedure. Here we’ll compare veneers to other teeth treatments.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners take a very different approach than veneers, but if your concern is closing gaps, they can achieve similar results. Aligners use force to move your teeth into new positions, whereas veneers go on top of your teeth in their current positions. If you are dealing with a severe case of spacing or crowding, you may need to get orthodontic treatment like aligners or braces before veneers.

Aligners are a more gradual road to a new smile, whereas veneers are practically instant. Aside from purchasing retainers every few months or years (depending on the type), aligners aren’t an ongoing expense once you finish treatment. Veneers are a recurring expense every 5–15 years.

Aligners run anywhere from $3,000 to $8,000 for in-office treatment and $1,000 to $2,400 for at-home clear aligners, making them much more affordable than veneers.

Braces

Similar to clear aligners, braces use force to move your teeth into new positions. They can take on even the most severe jaw and bite issues, so if your condition is challenging, but you’d like to have veneers one day, you may need to get braces first.

Though it may seem like moving teeth is a pretty invasive procedure, the permanence of removing enamel for veneers is a much more aggressive treatment than braces or aligners.

Braces are a slower and more methodical way to get a new smile, while you can debut your new veneers right after your appointment. Aside from aftercare retainers, braces aren’t an ongoing expense once you finish treatment.

Though it depends on the severity of your condition, metal braces typically cost $3,000–$7,000, and specialty options like clear or lingual braces cost slightly more, often $4,000–$13,000.

Bonding

Bonding is a treatment that applies resin to teeth and can help many of the same conditions veneers can — like chipped or misshapen teeth. However, it’s both much less invasive and much less expensive.

The conditions suitable for bonding are generally less severe than what veneers can treat, so if your discoloration or chipped teeth are on the milder side, bonding may be a great option. On average, it costs $300–$600 per tooth, which is often much less than veneers. Plus, dental bonding does not do permanent damage to your teeth, so you aren’t committed to this expense forever like you are with traditional veneers.

Final Thoughts

Veneers can rapidly provide you with a smile that makes you feel transformed —  but they will cost you. Traditional veneers are a permanent procedure you will need to pay for over and over again in your life.

However, if your goal is to hide gaps in your teeth, actually aligning your bite to close them might be the better choice. Not only is this typically more affordable, but it can improve your overall oral health.

No matter what option you choose, treatment will deliver a smile you love.