How Much Do Veneers Cost? Pricing and Coverage Guide

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.

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

• Worn, chipped or broken teeth
• Discolored or unevenly colored teeth
• Misshapen or too-small teeth
• Slightly crooked teeth
• Uneven teeth
• Gaps between teeth

Types of Veneers

Your dentist can recommend the best type of veneers for you. The types of veneers available 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, making them often reversible.²

Composite resin veneers

Composite resin veneers are also called composite veneers. They're made from the same type of composite resin used for tooth bonding and can be used 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 $1,765, but the cost ranges between $500 and $2,895. A full set, made of six to eight single veneers, averages $15,486 in the U.S.⁴

Cost per type

Below is the average cost of veneers per type.⁴

Cost per state

Below is a breakdown of the average cost per veneer by state.⁴ Prices — both for single veneers as well as the aforementioned full set — do not include the cost of a consultation, any potential ongoing maintenance or repair or potential insurance coverage.

Geographical location, materials and complexity are other factors that influence how much you pay for veneers. You will likely also 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

If not covered, you can ask your dentist if they offer payment plans.¹ Many cosmetic dentistry practices accept the CareCredit credit card, which may be a convenient way to pay for veneers.

Getting Veneers: How It 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

1. Consultation. You discuss your smile goals, and your dentist examines 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.
2. Preparation. Your dentist removes a thin layer of enamel from the teeth to prepare them for the placement of your veneer, and then makes molds of your teeth to use when creating your 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 any enamel removed.
3. Temporary veneer placement. Sometimes, veneers may take a few weeks to come from the lab. In this case, your dentist would place temporary veneers for you to wear in the meantime.
4. Placement of veneers. Your dentist checks the color, shape and fit of your veneers so you can request changes, if needed, before they're placed. Then, your dentist applies special dental cement and attaches the veneers to your teeth.² They'll check your bite to make sure it's properly aligned and make adjustments if needed.

Potential Risks and Side Effects of Veneers

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.¹ Also, veneers that require enamel removal are irreversible — once you have enamel removed from a tooth, it's gone for good.²

Recovery: Timing and Tips

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 and eat and drink as usual, though your dentist may tell you to avoid certain foods, such as hard ones like carrots.¹

Here are some helpful tips for after your veneer placement:¹

• Avoid hard foods and very hot or cold foods and drinks for the first few days if you're experiencing tooth sensitivity or discomfort.
• Practice proper dental hygiene by brushing at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste, and flossing daily.
• Keep up with routine dental exams and cleanings.
• Brush after consuming foods and drinks that stain — like coffee, tea and wine — to help keep your new smile white.

Frequently Asked Questions About Veneers

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 orthodontics, 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 almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today and more.