With the cost of dental veneers driven so low (thanks to technological innovations) more people are now looking at them as a viable alternate to their dental issues.

So what exactly are dental veneers?

They are ceramic (usually Porcelain) or other composite resin-based ultra-thin shells, which are affixed onto the front of the patients’ teeth. The simplicity of the procedure involved means that it is not only cheap to undergo, but requires from little to no anesthesia to perform.

The result: A set of teeth that deliver a beaming new smile while also being fully functional!

There are two main types of material used to fabricate a veneer: composite and dental porcelain. A composite veneer may be directly placed (built-up in the mouth), or indirectly fabricated by a dental technician in a dental lab, and later bonded to the tooth, typically using a resin cement such as Panavia. In contrast, a porcelain veneer may only be indirectly fabricated. Full veneer crown is described as “A restoration that covers all the coronal tooth surfaces (Mesial, Distal, Facial, Lingual and Occlusal)”. Laminate veneer, on the other hand, is a thin layer that covers only the surface of the tooth and generally used for aesthetic purposes

It used to be that veneers were only affordable to Hollywood stars or those associated with show business.

With affordability no longer a barrier, dental veneers are now used to address a vast array of dental challenges, including:

Malformed teeth – Individuals with broken, chipped or severely worn off teeth are ideal candidates for dental veneers

Discoloured teeth – Thanks to the amazing properties of the veneer materials, veneers can be constructed in a way that they completely hide discolouration of teeth. And where one has only a few discoloured teeth, veneers can be used to blend the bad teeth to the colour of their healthier neighbours

Unsightly teeth gaps – Some individuals have irregular gaps between teeth which makes their smiles seem unsightly. With veneers, dental specialists can fill those gaps to make the teeth look completely naturally spaced

Crooked teeth – Teeth that have irregular shapes, are crooked or improperly positioned can be masked with the help of veneers. The result is an amazingly even set of teeth that look perfectly shaped and aligned with the rest of the teeth

In some instances, veneers can serve as a better alternate for patients who may be considering dental crowns. And because they last for a long time, are relatively cheaper and comparably painless (compared to other dental procedures) to install, they make the ideal choice for dealing with a number of dental issues.

Like most dental procedures, asking “how much do veneers cost” is like asking “how long is a piece of string?” – the answer is never a simple one because there are lots of variable involved, and one patient is totally different from the next.

Taking this into consideration, the cost for dental veneers varies depending on several factors, which we have outlined in the table below.

Factor Influencing Costs

COST FACTOR

MORE OR LESS COSTLY?

1. Type of veneer

Porcelain - more costly
Composite - Less costly

2. Issue Being Addressed

More costly: Larger numbers of teeth for which veneers are required

3. Your Location

Less costly: In areas where there are more surgeons practicing (think Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane & Perth)

4. Your Practitioners Skill & Experience

Less costly: Dental offices that have recently started their practice, or those looking to establish themselves within a community

But wait a minute – you haven’t even begun to think about visiting our clinic yet, have you? 

So there is a good chance that you have no idea what factors will come into play with your situation….

All we can really do is give you a ballpark figure – then you will know what high quote, and what a low quote is on the spectrum of costs. 

What Costs Do I Need To Consider?

While there are “no prep” or “low prep” options that can fit patients in a single appointment,veneers often require 2 to 3 sessions, following an initial consultation, with the dentist.

APPOINTMENT             DESCRIPTION

First appointment - Initial consultation  

For a smile assessment and discussions around options available

Second appointment - Preparation

Including filing of teeth (where needed), preparation of moulds (for building permanent veneers) and installation of temporary veneers

Third appointment (s) - Fitting

Includes trial/testing of the veneers

Fourth appointment (s) - Installation

Adjustments and permanent cementation of the Veneers