For too many years, you’ve been ashamed to smile. It’s your dream to have the perfect Hollywood smile, but you don’t see how that can happen. You’re not alone. An estimated one out of every three Americans is dissatisfied with their smile. What do you know about dental veneers?

A dental veneer is a false covering that is adhered to your tooth to fill gaps, cover chips, and correct the color. It’s a good solution for fixing many of the issues you want to correct when it comes to your tooth’s appearance. They’re a preferred option to dentures where a tooth or several teeth have to be removed. There are five types of veneers.

• Porcelain: The preferred option of most cosmetic dentists as they resist stains and look natural.
• Resin-Composite: These are the closest to porcelain, but they are less expensive because they’re made with resin-composite materials. They can become discolored and have a shorter lifespan than porcelain.
• Lumineers: The role of Lumineers is to help reshape teeth much the way a porcelain veneer does. But, they’re thinner and more affordable. As they are thinner, they can chip easily.
• Palatal: Palatal veneers are also referred to as palatal onlays. A palatal veneer is a customized dental appliance that restores the teeth at the front of the mouth to protect the gums and improve your bite.
• Temporary, aka Minimal-Preparation Veneers: Temporary veneers are designed to be taken out. They’re a snap-on type of veneer that can be less comfortable than other types of veneers, but you don’t have to have the enamel on your tooth etched, leading to permanent enamel loss.

That’s a quick overview of the types of veneers that are available. How much they cost depends on the dentists in your area and the type of veneer you choose. In an area where you have one cosmetic dentist, prices might be higher than where there’s a lot of competition. 

How Much Do Veneers Cost?

The best way to get an accurate estimate for veneers is by talking to a cosmetic dentist. Without knowing the number of veneers you have, your insurance coverage, and the reason for the veneers, it’s impossible to offer more than a rough estimate. Some of the factors that can increase or decrease the cost of veneers are:

• How many veneers you need
• What type of material you choose
• Whether you choose temporary or permanent veneers
• How many appointments it takes to fit them

Generally, you’ll have three appointments to get veneers:

1. The first appointment involves an examination, consultation, and x-rays of your mouth. You’ll discuss the cost and any insurance coverage if it’s possible.
2. At the second appointment, the dentist etches your enamel to create the surface a veneer will bond to. A mold is taken to get the correct shape for the veneers.
3. Finally, you return a third time to have the new veneers adhered to your teeth. It may require a lot of adjustment to get the right fit.

The American Dental Institute gives an average cost of $925 to $2,500 per veneer/tooth. This does vary a lot. As veneers often need replacing every ten years, a 20-year-old patient could be looking at paying these fees five, six, seven, etc. times in their lifetime. And, it’s important to have them replaced as once the enamel is removed, decay is likely if you suddenly decide to go without. You have to make sure they’re affixed and have a cosmetic dentist check them regularly to make sure they’re not coming loose.

Does Insurance Cover Any of the Cost?

Will insurance cover the cost of your veneers? It depends. In most situations, the answer is no. Veneers are considered a cosmetic procedure, and dental insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic dentistry. But, there can be medical reasons for veneers that may help you get restorative insurance coverage. Does that guarantee your insurance will cover veneers, no, but it never hurts to ask. 

There are a few dental insurance companies that have add-on coverage for cosmetic dentistry treatments. If your insurance company offers cosmetic coverage, it can be worth the additional premium to have that coverage. It’s also uncommon so don’t set your hopes on finding this type of coverage.

Even if you find you do get a discounted rate on cosmetic dentistry, make sure you understand your policy. You’re going to have annual or lifetime maximum limits. If you have a lifetime limit and veneers reach that maximum, you’ll never get coverage again for veneers. That might impact your decision.

Your policy is going to have a deductible. If your deductible is $500 and a veneer costs $650, you’re going to pay for the first $500 of the cosmetic procedure. You also have a co-pay that may be in place. If you have a $50 co-pay, you’re responsible to pay that much. 

When you get veneers, if your insurance is a rare gem that does cover them, you’ll need to pay attention to in-network and out-of-network providers. If the cosmetic dentist you find is out-of-network, insurance isn’t going to cover as much as it would with an in-network dentist. Always look for dentists that are in your insurance company’s network.

If you have a cracked tooth after a fall and are trying to prevent bacteria from getting into the crack and causing infection or tooth decay, veneers may be allowed as a preventative procedure. 

Our Tips for Affording Veneers

How do you get the best price on veneers? Start by choosing an expert in veneers. If you choose a dentist with a lot of experience, the procedure is going to go faster than with a cosmetic dentist who is new to it. Experience is also less likely to lead to mistakes or poor quality.

Once you’ve found a Nashville dentist that specializes in dental veneers, make an appointment for a consultation. Nashville’s Jody Jones DDS is a veneer expert and is happy to start with a video consultation if you want to explore your options. 

Talk to us about your concerns and budget; after that ask us how in-house financing works. From there, you’ll have a veneer specialist who can help you get the perfect smile for the right price.

Call or email Dr. Jody Jones to set up an introductory meeting to discuss your budgetary concerns, go over the benefits of porcelain and resin composite, and see if your insurance provides any coverage. Jody Jones DDS provides in-house financing plans, so don’t let the cost keep you from your ideal smile.