Cost is one of the first questions people ask about teeth veneers. This article explains what published price ranges do and do not tell you, what affects the fee, and what ongoing costs to factor in.
What are Veneers?
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front surface of the teeth to change their appearance. They are made from porcelain or composite resin and are used for discolouration, chips, small gaps and minor irregularities in tooth position.
Veneers are a cosmetic treatment. They do not treat decay, gum disease or bite problems, and those conditions must be addressed first.
IMPORTANT — most veneer treatment involves permanently removing a layer of enamel from the front of otherwise healthy teeth. Enamel does not grow back. Once teeth are prepared, they will need veneers or crowns for life and those restorations will require replacing periodically. The lifetime cost is therefore higher than the initial fee, and this should be factored into any decision.
What Veneers Cost
Published price guides commonly quote around $1,000 to $2,500 per tooth for porcelain veneers and around $500 to $1,500 per tooth for composite. These are indicative figures drawn from published sources, not quotes, and fees vary between practices and between cases.
A fee for your own case can only be given after examination and treatment planning.
What affects the fee
The main factors are the material chosen, the number of teeth being treated, the complexity of the case, and whether any preliminary treatment is needed first, such as addressing decay or gum disease, whitening the natural teeth before shades are matched, or orthodontic treatment to improve tooth position. Preliminary treatment is charged separately.
Ongoing costs
Veneers are not permanent. Porcelain veneers are commonly estimated to last around 10 to 15 years and composite around 5 to 7, though both vary considerably with the individual, the bite, oral hygiene and habits such as grinding. Replacement, repair and periodic maintenance are ongoing costs over the life of the treatment.
Health fund benefits
Some private health insurance extras policies include a benefit for veneers, generally subject to waiting periods and annual limits, and some exclude purely cosmetic work. Check with your fund directly before committing.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are made in a dental laboratory and bonded to the teeth over more than one appointment. They resist staining better than composite and are more resistant to wear, but they generally require more enamel removal and cannot usually be repaired if damaged.
Payment plan
We offer an interest-free payment plan for porcelain veneers from $57 per week. This is a repayment amount, not the total cost of treatment.
Approval is subject to that provider’s eligibility criteria.
Composite veneers
Composite veneers are made from a tooth-coloured resin applied directly to the teeth, often in a single appointment. They cost less and generally require less enamel removal, and can usually be repaired. They stain, chip and wear more readily than porcelain and generally have a shorter lifespan.
Payment plan
We offer an interest-free payment plan for composite veneers from $30 per week. This is a repayment amount, not the total cost of treatment.
Approval is subject to that provider’s eligibility criteria.
Veneers at North Sydney Dentistry
Our dentists provide both porcelain and composite veneers as part of general dental practice. All are registered with the Dental Board of Australia and their registration can be checked on the Ahpra public register.
At your consultation we examine your teeth, gums and bite, discuss what you want to change, explain the options available including those involving less enamel removal, set out the risks and provide a written quote covering exactly what is included. Where veneers are not appropriate for your case, we will tell you.
Risks and Limitations
Veneers are elective cosmetic treatment and carry risks that should be explained to you before you proceed:
- irreversible enamel removal, committing the teeth to restorations permanently
- tooth sensitivity, usually temporary but sometimes persistent
- gum irritation, and recession over time exposing the veneer margin
- chipping, cracking or debonding requiring repair or replacement at further cost
- the possibility that a prepared tooth requires root canal treatment or extraction
- colour that cannot be altered once made and may not match natural teeth as they age
- a finite lifespan requiring periodic replacement
Results vary between individuals and no outcome can be guaranteed.
To find out whether veneers are suitable for you and what they would cost in your case, contact us to arrange a consultation.