So
how much do dental veneers really cost? The cost for porcelain veneers varies
widely. They can run anywhere from $925 to $2,500 per tooth. There are several
reasons for the difference in cost and it also varies widely across the United States. And
yes, one might consider veneers to be quite expensive but they do offer several
benefits. One of which is a distinctly
improved smile.
First, lets discuss what porcelain
veneers are. Porcelain veneers are extremely thin custom
made covers for the front surface of the teeth. They can be made from porcelain
or direct composite resin. Although
porcelain veneers are more expensive than composite, they last much longer and
are more stain resistant. Traditional
composite veneers last on average between five and seven years while porcelain
veneers last between 10 and 18 years.
Veneers are used for a variety of
purposes. They can be used to fix chipped or
broken teeth or teeth that have become discolored by root canal work, excessive
fluoride, or drugs such as tetracycline. Porcelain veneers can also be used to
correct misaligned teeth or teeth with gaps between them. But the most common reason for veneers is cosmetic. They can be used to change the length,
shape, size and color of teeth. In effect, they can be used to create a
designer smile.
There
is also a difference in cost between having the procedure done in a metropolitan
area versus a small town. Another cost variation is the difference in cost from
one ceramics lab to the next. The number of veneers done also affects cost. A
single veneer usually is more expensive per tooth than a set of veneers.
Because
veneers are considered a cosmetic procedure, they generally are not covered by
insurance. In some cases, depending on the insurance company and the policy
coverage they may be eligible for a dental discount. Again, the amount and
availability of this discount varies widely.
In special circumstances some insurance may pay up to 50% depending on
the type of policy. To offset the high cost of veneers, most dentists offer
special payment plans.
Getting dental veneers is a multi-step
process. The initial visit usually consists of
a consultation and depending on the dentist and the amount of work to be done, x-rays and/or impressions of
the teeth may be done at this time. On
the first working visit the dentist will remove approximately 1/2 millimeter of
enamel from the tooth or teeth to be veneered and make a model to send to the
lab that will make the veneer. This is
most often done with a local anesthetic. Normally it takes one to two weeks to
construct the veneers. During the next
visit, the veneer is temporarily placed to check for proper color and fit.
The
tooth that is to receive the veneer is then cleaned, polished, and etched. The
etching roughens the surface of the tooth for better adhesion of the veneer.
The veneer is cemented into place and a follow up visit to check placement and
adhesion may be required.
How long do
porcelain veneers last?
They can last between five and ten years
or more, depending on how you take care of them. But at some point they
probably will need to be replaced. Just like real teeth, porcelain veneers need
to be thoroughly brushed and flossed daily.
Your smile is the first thing people
notice about you which is the primary reason people want porcelain veneers. If
we
can be of service or you have any questions, please feel free to contact
us.
Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC
290 Carpenter Drive, 200A
Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328
404-256-3620
Thank you for all your referrals. We truly appreciate them.
Information included is not dental or medical
advice. For your specific information
be sure to
consult your dentist.
Related articles
More than 6 million women in the
US become pregnant every year and 40% of them for the first time. During pregnancy, women are at greater risk
of experiencing poor oral health care, which has been linked to adverse pregnancy
outcomes. Pregnant women are susceptible
to oral infections, pregnancy gingivitis, periodontitis and oral pyogenic
granulomas. Results of varies studies
regarding oral health literacy showed it was directly related with general
health knowledge, and therefore, health outcomes of both the mother and the
fetus followed the level of their general health knowledge. These studies showed that the prevalence of
low health literacy among pregnant women ranged from about 15 to 38% and was
associated with older age women and women of minority status.[1]
