Veneers are popularly used by Hollywood stars for smile makeovers. There are two types of veneers; the porcelain type and composite resin type. The cost of a tooth veneer not only depends on the type of veneer, but also on several other factors…
People across the globe are obsessed with their looks, and will go to any extent to improve anything they find lacking in their appearance. Tooth veneers are one such thing, that is popularly carried out in Hollywood, for smile makeovers!
Tooth veneers have evolved as a great cosmetic dentistry option to correct chipped or misaligned teeth. They can also reduce the visible spacing between teeth. Tooth veneers are nothing but delicate, ½ millimeter thick, shell-like structures that are placed onto the teeth, to hide tooth imperfections. The biggest advantage of veneers is that they provide a perfectly natural appearance.
Thus, it’s not surprising why people are mesmerized by the results, and are willing to spend whatever it takes to get that perfect smile. Incidentally, this is also one of the most expensive treatments around, with a price range of $250 to $2500 per tooth. Dental veneers cost is greatly influenced by the material used for veneers and several other factors, which we will look at.
How Much Do Veneers Cost Per Tooth
Dental veneers is a cosmetic procedure that requires great amount of skill, precision, and expertise on the part of the dentist. Moreover, since this is a cosmetic procedure, the price range varies widely. Dental veneers are available in two materials, porcelain and composite resin, of which the porcelain type is more popular. The rates for these two types of veneers are different, depending on their quality and durability.
Porcelain veneers are expensive ranging from about $950 to $2500 per tooth. Although they are expensive, they offer better results and are also longer-lasting, lasting for about 8 to 15 years. Resin composite veneers, on the other hand, are a little cheaper than their porcelain counterparts. They cost anything between $250 to $1500 per tooth, however, last for only about 3 to 7 years. For some they last even less than 5 years. The initial cost for porcelain veneers may be higher, however, they last longer, thus, the cost gets spread out and balanced.
However, considering the initial cost is not enough. Tooth veneers get chipped and damaged just like normal teeth do, and will require replacement at some point or the other. Thus, we have to take into consideration the cost one will incur in the future as well. Since veneers are cosmetic procedures, they are not covered under dental insurance, and may prove to be a financial burden in the years to come. Thus, before getting tooth veneers, it is important to consider the replacement costs as well.
The total cost of your treatment will depend upon the number of veneers one is getting, overall health of teeth requiring veneers, qualification of the dentist, and location of the dental clinic. Geographic factors such as country and state also influence the cost of treatment. Cosmetic dental procedures are cheaper in some states than others. The cost is likely to be higher in metros like New York, etc.
An Overview of Dental Veneers
Dental veneers aim at improving the aesthetic appearance of teeth, and help hide any kind of misalignment or spacing between them. The treatment is completed in two sessions, which stretch over a period of six weeks. Each of these sessions are extensive, with several hours of examination, fitting and testing.
During a pre-treatment checkup the dentist will make sure the candidate is suitable for this treatment or not. He will assess the candidate’s oral health, and even general health. Next, he will discuss the physical attributes of veneers with the candidate. Discussions will be carried out regarding the desired type, color, shape, length of the veneers, etc. After the decisions are made, the candidate gets to view the results using computer imaging techniques.
A mold of the candidate’s teeth is taken, so that veneers can be manufactured using CAD/CAM techniques. The mold is then sent to dental laboratories, where custom veneers are manufactured. During the first session of the treatment, the dentist prepares the candidate’s natural teeth, so as to fit veneers on them. As veneers are a permanent and irreversible procedure, one needs to be careful while structuring the natural teeth.
While preparing teeth, the teeth are stripped off their enamel, which makes them over- sensitive to hot and cold foods. To minimize this problem, the candidate will be given temporary veneers, which serve the purpose until the permanent veneers are manufactured and are ready to be fitted. During the second session, the dentist removes the temporary veneers and fits permanent veneers on the candidate’s teeth. Minor adjustments regarding, fit and color may have to be done.
Irrespective of how appealing tooth veneers appear, it’s important to think before jumping into this kind of cosmetic procedure. It’s important to remember that the tooth structure weakens by this treatment, and will never be the same again. Moreover, you will be dependent on veneers throughout your life. If you still want them, find a good dentist and get it done. All the best!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.