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Key Takeaways
- The national average cost for a single veneer is $1,455, with a price range between $1,020 and $2,506, depending on the type, materials used and where you live.
- Veneers can improve the appearance of chipped, discolored or slightly misaligned teeth, with options ranging from composite resin to highly customizable porcelain styles.
- The CareCredit credit card can help you finance veneers and pay over time with convenient monthly payments.*
Is a chipped or stained tooth keeping you from loving your smile? Do you have a tooth that’s just a tad crooked but not enough to justify getting braces? Veneers may be the key to fixing those little imperfections to give you a smile that you’ll be proud of.
Veneers can enhance just one tooth or more, leaving you with a refreshed, natural-looking smile after just a couple of appointments.
If you’d like to learn more about improving your smile with veneers, this article explains how they’re applied, what they cost and who is a good candidate for the procedure.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin, durable layers of material bonded to the front surface of one or more teeth. They’re custom-made and colored to match your teeth.1
They can be used to enhance the shape, size or texture of your teeth and conceal cosmetic dental imperfections. These include:1
- Discolored or unevenly colored teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Misshapen or too-small teeth
- Slightly crooked teeth
- Uneven teeth
- Worn, chipped or broken teeth
Types of veneers
Your dentist can recommend the best type of veneers for you. Available types include porcelain veneers and composite resin veneers.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are very thin, usually around 0.5 millimeters thick. They’re highly customizable and natural looking when done by an experienced cosmetic dentist. To accommodate the veneer, the dentist needs to remove enamel from your natural tooth, which makes the process irreversible.2
Another type of porcelain veneers are porcelain laminate, such as Lumineers®, which are often referred to as “no-prep” or “minimal-prep” veneers. These are even thinner at just 0.2 millimeters thickness. They can typically be applied without the removal of any of your tooth enamel, so they are often reversible.2
Composite resin veneers
Composite resin veneers, also called composite veneers, are made from the same type of composite resin used for tooth bonding and can be applied to cover minor imperfections. These veneers can be made right in the dentist’s office (aka “chairside”) or in a laboratory.3
Composite veneers can often be placed without having to remove much, if any, enamel. They’re also easier to replace than porcelain veneers should one get damaged.3
How Much Do Veneers Cost?
The national average cost** for a single veneer is $1,455, but the cost ranges between $1,020 and $2,506. A full set, made of six to eight single veneers, averages $13,954 in the U.S.4
Average cost of veneers by type
Here are the average costs** of veneers by type for both single veneers and a full set.4 Keep in mind that prices do not include the cost of a consultation or any potential ongoing maintenance or repair, and they don’t reflect potential insurance coverage.
| Type of veneer | Average cost | Cost range |
|---|---|---|
| Single composite (lab manufactured) | $1,068 | $783 to $1,760 |
| Single composite (dental office) | $751 | $541 to $1,220 |
| Single porcelain | $1,455 | $1,020 to $2,506 |
| Single porcelain laminate | $1,781 | $1,243 to $2,997 |
| Full set | $13,954 | $9,712 to $24,046 |
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Average cost of veneers by state/district
Your geographical area also impacts the cost of veneers. Below is a breakdown of the average cost per veneer** in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.4
| State/District | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,282 |
| Alaska | $1,554 |
| Arizona | $1,416 |
| Arkansas | $1,259 |
| California | $1,771 |
| Colorado | $1,559 |
| Connecticut | $1,570 |
| Delaware | $1,452 |
| District of Columbia | $1,727 |
| Florida | $1,433 |
| Georgia | $1,390 |
| Hawaii | $1,665 |
| Idaho | $1,347 |
| Illinois | $1,437 |
| Indiana | $1,358 |
| Iowa | $1,341 |
| Kansas | $1,325 |
| Kentucky | $1,304 |
| Louisiana | $1,335 |
| Maine | $1,392 |
| Maryland | $1,524 |
| Massachusetts | $1,635 |
| Michigan | $1,373 |
| Minnesota | $1,517 |
| Mississippi | $1,257 |
| Missouri | $1,354 |
| Montana | $1,468 |
| Nebraska | $1,350 |
| Nevada | $1,464 |
| New Hampshire | $1,523 |
| New Jersey | $1,646 |
| New Mexico | $1,345 |
| New York | $1,659 |
| North Carolina | $1,366 |
| North Dakota | $1,465 |
| Ohio | $1,340 |
| Oklahoma | $1,309 |
| Oregon | $1,531 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,420 |
| Rhode Island | $1,509 |
| South Carolina | $1,353 |
| South Dakota | $1,467 |
| Tennessee | $1,330 |
| Texas | $1,437 |
| Utah | $1,374 |
| Vermont | $1,446 |
| Virginia | $1,438 |
| Washington | $1,626 |
| West Virginia | $1,333 |
| Wisconsin | $1,398 |
| Wyoming | $1,466 |
In addition to your geographical location, materials and complexity influence how much you’ll pay for veneers. You will also likely need to pay for a dental exam and cleaning before getting veneers. If veneers are part of a smile makeover involving other procedures, that can also impact the cost.1
Does Dental Insurance Cover Veneers?
Veneers are not usually covered by insurance because they’re considered an elective cosmetic procedure. Still, it doesn’t hurt to check with your insurance provider, just in case.1
How Can You Pay for Dental Veneers?
There are several ways to pay for dental veneers, depending on what your provider offers and your budget. Some pay up front with cash, check or a credit/debit card. Others may choose a payment plan offered through the practice.
If you’d prefer to pay over time, the CareCredit credit card is another option many patients use for out-of-pocket health and wellness services. If approved, you can make monthly payments (with promotional financing options where available). Promotional financing options vary, so review the details and ask the office whether they accept CareCredit before deciding.
How the Veneers Procedure Works
The process of getting veneers may vary depending on the type of veneers you choose. In general, though, it may include these steps:1
Consultation
During an initial consultation, you’ll discuss your smile goals and your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to make sure you’re a good candidate for veneers. If you are, the dentist will recommend the best type of veneers for you.
Preparation
Before the procedure, your dentist will remove a thin layer of enamel from the teeth to prepare them for the placement of your veneer and may make molds of your teeth to use to create custom veneers. You may be given local anesthesia to prevent discomfort.
If you’re getting composite veneers, molds aren’t needed. If you’re getting no-prep veneers, you may not need to have any enamel removed.
Sometimes, veneers may take a few weeks to come from the lab. In this case, your dentist will place temporary veneers for you to wear in the meantime.
Procedure
When it’s time to attach the veneers, your dentist will check their color and shape before they’re placed. Then, your dentist will apply special dental cement and attach the veneers to your teeth. They’ll check your bite to make sure it’s properly aligned and make adjustments if needed.
Recovery
There’s no recovery time needed for veneers, and your results are visible as soon as they’re placed. You can resume your normal activities right away.5
Here are some helpful tips for after your veneer placement:1
- Avoid hard, sticky or crunchy foods as well as very hot or cold foods and drinks for the first few days if you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity or discomfort.5
- Practice proper dental hygiene by flossing daily and brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive fluoride toothpaste.
- Keep up with routine dental exams and cleanings.
- Rinse with water after consuming foods and drinks that can stain — like coffee, tea and wine — to help keep your new smile white.
Potential Side Effects and Complications of Veneers
Veneers are generally long-lasting, but there are a few potential side effects and complications to be aware of.6
You’ll likely have at least some of your natural tooth enamel removed when you get veneers, and that could cause your teeth to become sensitive to hot and cold foods and drinks. Also, veneers that require enamel removal are irreversible — once the enamel is removed from a tooth, it’s gone for good.1
The most common complication is fracture. Veneers are strong but not as strong as real teeth. When placed under strain, they can crack or chip. This can happen if you grind or clench your teeth or chew hard foods or nonfood items like the end of a pencil.6
Other potential complications of dental veneers include:6
- Cavities and tooth decay under the veneers without proper oral hygiene1
- Debonding, which is a loss of adhesion that causes the veneer to detach from the tooth
- Discoloration of the veneer over time
Veneers Offer a Lasting Solution for Your Smile Imperfections
Veneers can transform a smile that is discolored, uneven or gapped. By covering the surface of the teeth with natural-looking materials customized to blend with the surrounding teeth, veneers can hide imperfections to create a bright, more balanced smile that still feels like you. Talking with a dentist can help you decide whether veneers are right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Veneers
Still have questions about veneers? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions.
CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Veneers
Whether you’re investing in veneers or you’re simply paying for a dental exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist or orthodontist near you that accepts CareCredit to help get you on track to your perfect smile. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.
In addition to veneers, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for pet care, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?
Author Bio
Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for more than two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today and more.
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