A Complete Guide to Types of Veneers

There are two types of composite dental  veneers: direct and indirect. The primary difference between the two is the application method, not the material. 

Direct composite dental veneers are applied directly to your teeth. 

Indirect composite dental veneers are custom-made in a dental lab or in the office.

The advantages of composite dental veneers are:

• Lower cost
• Direct veneers have a faster application process
• Can resolve a variety of aesthetic issues of teeth

The disadvantages of using composite dental veneers are

• Weaker than porcelain, more likely to chip
• Requires repair or replacement more often than porcelain

Average Cost of Composite Dental Veneers

Composite dental veneers cost an average of $250 to $1,500 per tooth, which is more affordable than porcelain veneers and other tooth restorations.

How Much Time Do Composite Dental Veneers Take?

• Direct veneers usually can be completed in one appointment since the resin is painted directly onto the teeth. 
• Indirect veneers must be fabricated, which means you may need 2 appointments. If veneers are fabricated in a third-party lab, you may have to wait 2 to 3 weeks to have them placed.

Porcelain veneers are highly biocompatible, meaning injuries to gums and other soft tissues is rare. Since porcelain is very natural looking, strong, and long-lasting it can significantly improve your smile.

The advantages of porcelain dental veneers are:

• Blends with natural teeth
• Stain-resistant
• Uniform texture
• Lasts 10 to 15 years or more with proper care and maintenance
• Do not harm gums or surrounding tissue

The disadvantages of porcelain dental veneers are:

• Expensive
• Susceptible to damage, especially in patients with bruxism
• Procedure is lengthy and invasive

Average Cost of Porcelain Dental Veneers

According to the American Dental Association porcelain dental veneers cost an average of $985 to $2,500 per tooth. However, they are more durable and last longer, which means the cost versus life expectancy balances out.

How Much Time Do Porcelain Dental Veneers Take?

The dental veneer procedure usually takes about three dentist visits, with a couple of exceptions.

CEREC veneers are a newer technology that allows porcelain veneers to be made in the office. These veneers have the same advantages as standard porcelain veneers in addition to being a one-day procedure.

The advantages of CEREC Dental Veneers include:

• Fewer visits to dentist

The disadvantages of CEREC Dental Veneers include:

• Limited procedure availability since it is so new, few dentist do it
• Potentially, less esthetic due to not involving a dental lab technician to customize and characterize the restorations. 

Average Cost of CEREC Dental Veneers

The average cost of CEREC veneers is the same as a porcelain veneer.

How Much Time Do CEREC Dental Veneers Take?

CEREC Veneers can be completed in a single appointment. 

Lumineers dental veneers are a brand name of porcelain veneer. They take are commonly marketed as requiring less preparation than traditional veneers.

The advantages of Lumineers dental Veneers are:

• Little to no tooth prep required

The disadvantages of Lumineers dental Veneers are:

• Not as effective to disguising damaged or discolred teeth

Average Cost of Lumineers Dental Veneers

The average cost of Lumineers is between $985 to $2,000. However, most insurance providers classify Lumineers as an elective cosmetic procedure, so they will not cover treatment.

How Much Time Do Lumineers Dental Veneers Take?

The Lumineer Veneer procedure usually takes about two clinic visits.

Temporary veneers are also known as removable veneers or a Snap on Smile. Since no tooth prep is required, these veneers are non-permanent and cost much less than traditional veneers.They are removable.

While convenient, this type of dental veneer does not look as natural and may harm soft tissues if worn often. In addition, they are more susceptible to plaque build-up than traditional veneers.

Sometimes this product is sold directly to patients as kind of a DIY dental solution. There is a professional version. 

The advantages of Temporary Dental Veneers are:

• No tooth prep is needed
• Cheaper than traditional veneers
• Can be reversed

The disadvantages of Temporary Dental Veneers are:

• Not as natural looking
• Don’t last as long
• Should not be worn all the time
• Can cause continued damage to the teeth if they are not healthy prior to fabrication. 

Average Cost of Temporary Dental Veneers

On average, temporary veneers cost between $20 to $1,500depending on the material, type, and other factors.

How Much Time Do Temporary Dental Veneers Take?

Around 2 Appointments are needed to get fitted with Temporary Dental Veneers made by your dentist.