How Much Do Veneers Cost? Weighing The Costs & Its Value

2 Are Porcelain Veneers The Only Option?

4 What Can You Expect From Porcelain Veneers Procedure?

7 Alternatives Treatments To Dental Veneers

Dental veneers offer the chance to make cosmetic improvements to your teeth, and can quite literally cover up any imperfections. The result is a set of teeth that you can be proud and confident about. Of course the next question people ask once they have decided that veneers will improve their smile is ‘how much do veneers cost’. And the answer of course, depends very much on what you have and where you have it. Let’s take a look at the factors that influence the costs of veneers and what you can expect to pay.

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin covers or shells that are bonded to the front of your existing teeth. They are carefully crafted to match the size, shape and colour of your other teeth and they are used to address dental issues such as

A cracked fractured or chipped tooth
Yellow or discoloured teeth that don’t respond to whitening
Small teeth
A gappy smile

Are Porcelain Veneers The Only Option?

Veneers can be crafted from porcelain or composite resin. Porcelain is the generally favoured material because it is longer lasting and reflects natural light in a very similar way to your natural teeth. It is the longer lasting material of the two, but it is also the most expensive. Porcelain veneers take longer to complete than composite resin and the procedure costs more.

So How Much Do Veneers Cost?

The most accurate way to get an idea of veneers cost is to have an assessment and treatment plan drawn up by your dentist. Everyone’s procedures and needs are different so to get an accurate price, you’ll need an assessment.

It’s a good idea to know what costs you are in for before treatment. While it is difficult to publish average costs, some internet research reveals that the National Dental Fee Survey that was carried out in 2017 cites an average price of $1983 per veneer for porcelain veneers. Composite resin veneers cost less, averaging a price of about $860 per tooth in the same survey.

Because veneers are cosmetic dentistry and are elective procedures the cost is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.

What Can You Expect From Porcelain Veneers Procedure?

Your dentist carries out an inspection of your mouth. X-rays and digital photographs will be taken to check on the health of your gums and underlying bone.
When you attend your first session, your dentist will remove a fraction of your enamel . This is usually around 0.5mm. Even though this process isn’t painful, it is likely that a local anaesthetic will be used to make it as comfortable as possible.
An impression will be made of your mouth.
It will take two and four weeks to manufacture your new dental veneers.
You will return to your dentist to have them fixed to your tooth with dental cement. Some adjustments may need to be made for you to be comfortable.
With good care, your porcelain veneers may last for 12 to 25 years.

What To Expect From Composite Resin?

Composite resin veneers are completed in one visit and cost less than porcelain. Composite resin veneers have a shorter lifespan and are more likely to wear, crack and chip. With good care you can expect them to last for between four and eight years.

Veneers Cost Vs Value

While the cost of porcelain veneers is initially higher, they do last for longer. If veneers cost does motivate you to have composite resin veneers done, the cost of having them redone should be factored in. It’s also important to remember that every time you have veneers, some of your enamel has to be worn off. This does limit the number of times you will be able to do it.

In order to be a candidate for veneers your dentist will want to ensure that you have strong and healthy gums. The condition of your teeth needs to be strong and free of cavities in order to support the veneers, and you need to have enough enamel. It is also best if you are a non-smoker and practice good dental hygiene habits. Veneers do not respond to tooth whitening treatments so you will need to take good care of them for maximum wear.

Alternatives Treatments To Dental Veneers

Veneers are one option of cosmetic dentistry to give you a more attractive smile but if you aren’t a candidate, you may want to try an alternative:

If you would like to improve the colour and brightness of your teeth, you could try a whitening treatment.
If you have significant wear or damage and want to cover up imperfections, a restoration like a dental cap could be an option.
If you have very small teeth that result in a gappy smile, dental bonding might help you.

Before you move forward with treatment make sure you weigh cost up against value. If you still have questions about how much do veneers cost and whether they can address your dental issue please get in touch with us:

Pyrmont NSW 2009: (02) 9158 6213
Illawong, NSW 2234: (02) 9158 6756
Sylvania Waters NSW 2224: (02) 9159 6083