The Cost Of Getting Dental Veneers

Dental veneers have become very popular in today’s modern society. Many people are attracted to them because they are a permanent way to get whiter, straighter teeth, without the wait. Although many people are attracted to the idea of getting veneers, many people are not actually aware of how much veneers cost.

This article will discuss the average price of dental veneers, whether they are covered by insurance plans, if there are ways to get discounts on dental veneers, how long it takes to get dental veneers and what a person has to do in order to remove veneers.

First, it’s important to understand exactly what dental veneers are. Basically, veneers are very thin layers of porcelain or a similar composite material. They are custom made to fit a person’s mouth and tooth size.

How Much Do Veneers Cost?

The price of dental veneers will vary depending on the type of veneers that are chosen and the amount of preparatory work that needs to be done. The most traditional porcelain dental veneers can cost between $500 and $1,100 per tooth. These dental veneers are generally around 0.5 mm in thickness and require a lot of prep work prior to application and adherence to the native tooth.

Newer versions of veneers such as the Lumineers brand, are only as thick as a contact lens (approximately 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm in thickness). Although these veneers are much thinner and require little to no prep work, they are more expensive. On average, a Lumineers dental veneer will cost between $700 to $1,300 per tooth.

It’s common for people to get 8 to 12 teeth covered with veneers. The teeth in the back of the mouth are not seen therefore there’s no reason to cover them. Veneers only cover the outer surface of the real tooth. Covering 8 teeth with traditional veneers will cost a person anywhere from $4,000 to $8,800, and 12 teeth covered will cost $6,000 to $13,200. People who choose to go with the newer, thinner veneer, such as Lumineers, can expect to pay from $5,600 to $10,400 for 8 teeth and $8,400 to $15,600 for covering 12 teeth.

Are Dental Veneers Covered By Insurance?

Dental insurance plans generally do not cover the cost of veneers. In rare instances where there has been damage to a tooth or several teeth, a person may be able to contact his or her dental insurance company and request that veneers be used instead of a crown and root canal. Some insurance companies may agree to this and approve a certain number of veneers however there may be some out-of-pocket expense for the person who is receiving them. What veneers cost however for some people is a small issue compared to the benefit that they provide.

There are normally some additional charges that accompany dental veneers. For example, the initial consultation fee can cost between $50 and $100 depending on the dentist. Additionally, the cosmetic dentist may want some dental x-rays of a person’s mouth prior to applying the dental veneers. Many dental insurance policies allow for a certain number of dental x-rays per year and if a person has not had x-rays in that year, the dental insurance may cover the cost of the dental x-rays. If the insurance will not cover these x-rays, a person should expect to pay between $13 and $150 per x-ray.

Can I Get A Discount On Veneers?

Although many cosmetic dentists may offer a discounted rate for veneers at various times throughout the year, the discount isn’t going to make much of a difference in the overall veneers cost. However, there is one surefire way to get great discounts on the price of dental veneers. Locate the nearest dental college or dental school in the area. Call the school and ask them if they do veneers. Many times, the students who are specializing in cosmetic dentistry will do these at the school and supervision will be provided by the faculty.

Because the veneers will be applied by someone who is not a licensed dentist, the discounts will be significant. Keep this in mind, though: the veneers will be applied by someone who is new to the procedure and the work may need to be tweaked in the future by a licensed cosmetic dentist.

How Long Does It Take To Get Veneers?

A person is normally required to make at least two office visits in order to get veneers. Many times, the first office visit involves an examination by the dentist, x-rays and a question and answer session. The dentist may need to make a mold of a person’s mouth during this visit in order to ensure the veneers are the right size for the patient’s mouth.

The second visit is normally reserved for shaving down the teeth, if needed, and adhering the veneers to the teeth. More or less visits may be required, depending on the methods the cosmetic dentist uses.

Can I Remove Veneers?

People who are required to get their teeth ground down prior to getting dental veneers will be required to have some other type of dental covering if they decide to remove the veneers. For people who choose the thin veneers, such as Lumineers, no grounding may be needed therefore the veneers can be removed with no permanent damage to the real teeth.

Dental veneers are a great way to get whiter, straighter teeth in a very short amount of time. Prior to getting this procedure, it’s important to understand what dental insurance will and will not cover, and what the total cost of the procedure is going to be. Veneers are designed to last for many, many years which means the patient will not need to get new veneers for decades as long as the veneers are taken care of.