4 Types of Veneers: Cost & Durability

In a world with thousands of pictures documenting your every experience, your smile is displayed on a global stage through social media, online work meetings, and video calls. Having a bright smile to greet the world is a natural desire for most people.

Whether you're dealing with stains, chips, or uneven teeth—or just want a confidence boost—this guide breaks down the most popular types of veneers, how much they cost (with and without insurance), and what to expect in terms of longevity, pros, and maintenance.

Different Types of Veneers and Cost

Veneers are thin covers placed over the front of your teeth to improve appearance, fix minor flaws, and boost overall smile aesthetics. Veneers can give you a real reason to smile as you show off your beautiful, new teeth and face the world with a glowing confidence. Deciding between the different types of veneers and weighing the cost of each can help you determine which kind will be the best fit for you. If would like to learn about the step-by-step process of getting veneers placed, read our article.

Feature	Details
Type 1	Porcelain Veneers
Benefits	✨ Natural look, 🛡️ stain-resistant, 🎯 durable
Durability	⏳ 8–20 years
Cost	💵 $500–$2,500 per tooth
Type 2	Composite Veneers
Benefits	💰 Affordable, ⏱️ one visit, 🪄 direct application
Durability	⌛ 5–7 years
Cost	💸 $250–$1,500 per tooth
Type 3	Lumineers
Benefits	🪞 Ultra-thin, 🦷 minimal prep, 😁 natural look
Durability	📆 Up to 20 years
Cost	💳 $800–$2,000 per tooth
Type 4	Removable Veneers
Benefits	🎭 Temporary, 🔄 non-invasive, 🧳 travel-friendly
Durability	📆 Not long as they are not made for long-term or even daily usage
Cost	💲 As low as $25, not covered by insurance

If you're interested in improving your smile with veneers, the first step is scheduling a consultation with a cosmetic dentist.

If you're not ready to schedule a consultation and want to learn more, see full article, or chat with a cosmetic dentist to explore options. There are different types of veneers to consider, such as the material used, durability, and price. How much do full-mouth veneers cost per tooth? You can weigh the price difference between the various types, as well as the cost of full mouth veneers to the cost of veneers per tooth. Learn more below.

Key Things to Know:

• Natural look & stain-resistant — lasts up to 20 years.

• Custom fit & durable, but expensive and permanent.

• Insurance rarely covers — savings up to $1,000/tooth if eligible

For the most natural-looking veneers, porcelain mimics the look of real teeth while actually being made out of a stronger material. Porcelain veneers also last the longest when compared to other kinds of veneers. With durability coupled with good oral hygiene, porcelain veneers can last for as long as 20 years. By removing a thin layer of enamel from the front of the teeth, the dentist will bond a porcelain overlay to the front surface, making a permanent, custom-shaped, natural-looking smile. Porcelain has a translucent quality similar to a tooth’s enamel, so the overall effect of porcelain veneers looks dazzling yet natural. 

Feature	Porcelain Veneers
Benefits	✨ Natural look, 🛡️ stain-resistant, 🎯 durable
Durability	⏳ 8–20 years
Cost	💵 $500–$2,500 per tooth

• Custom made for your mouth
• Stain-resistant
• Very strong and durable
• Smooth texture
• Very natural appearance
• Long-lasting, typically eight to 20 years

• Expensive, $500 to $2500 per tooth
• The procedure takes up to three visits
• Irreversible and invasive procedure

How much do veneers cost with insurance? When it comes to whether or not insurance covers porcelain veneer costs, it is difficult to give a definite answer because there are so many different variables. Unless your dental insurance covers cosmetic dentistry, you will most likely have to provide a medical reason for the veneers. Health insurance rarely covers veneers unless it is somehow connected to a medical necessity relating to your body’s overall health. 

If you are able to use your dental insurance for porcelain veneers, you could save up to $1000 per tooth. Without insurance, you can expect to pay between $500-$2500 per tooth, depending on where you live. With insurance, the out-of-pocket cost on the lower end of porcelain veneers can be roughly within $100 of the regular price. While on the high-end price, the cost with insurance can be under $1500, saving you a significant amount per tooth. Though, because of annual maximums, the more veneers you have done in one year, the cost per tooth with insurance will actually increase. 

Key Things to Know:

• More affordable & less invasive — $250–$1,500 per tooth.

• Shorter lifespan (5–7 years) and prone to stains.

• Can be done in one visit, but results depend on dentist’s skill.

Composite veneers, also called direct veneers, involve a very different process than porcelain veneers. Composite veneers are made of a resin, or glue, that is fitted onto a cleaned, dried, and roughed up the tooth and spread around by the dentist until the desired look is achieved. The same material that dentists use for tooth-colored fillings is used to design composite veneers. This process can be lengthy as the veneer is created and shaped directly on each tooth.

Composite veneers, though more easily stained, can be half the price of porcelain veneers and can create a fresh, new look for your smile. Although composite veneers offer a more appealing price and can be reversible if layers of the tooth are not removed, they, unfortunately, only last a little more than five years. The overall appearance of composite veneers is nice, but they do not look as natural as porcelain veneers. Finding a very experienced cosmetic dentist who is skilled in creating composite veneers will give you a much better chance of a natural look.

Feature	Composite Veneers
Benefits	💰 Affordable, ⏱️ one visit, 🪄 direct application
Durability	⌛ 5–7 years
Cost	💸 $250–$1,500 per tooth

• Durable for a temporary treatment
• Less invasive procedure. Ask your dentist how much enamel will be removed. Some do not take off any but rather add acid to rough up the enamel 
• An acceptable appearance
• Does not affect the gum tissue in most cases
• Easily repaired if chipped or broken
• Usually completed in only one appointment
• Last between five to seven years
• Less expensive than porcelain veneers, $250 to $1500 per tooth

• Do not last as long as porcelain veneers
• Prone to staining 
• Long time in the chair
• Results vary and depend heavily on the skills of the cosmetic dentist

After providing a reason why composite veneers are a medical necessity, you can expect to pay between $550-$850 per tooth with insurance. Although this cost can be similar or even more expensive with insurance than without when looking at the low end of potential cost, the price of a composite veneer on the high end is almost half the price with insurance than the cost of veneers without insurance. 

If you're looking for additional ways to save money on dentistry, get familiar with our Dental Discount Plan

Click here to learn about our Smile Generation Dental Discount Plan

Key Things to Know:

• Thin, natural-looking, and reversible, but less durable.

• Costs $800–$2,000 per tooth, slightly less than porcelain.

• Rarely covered by insurance, even with cosmetic coverage.

Even with porcelain veneers, there can be differences depending on the brand of veneers you get through your dentist. Lumineers are a brand of porcelain veneers that use a very thin porcelain laminate material. What sets Lumineers apart from other kinds of porcelain veneers is that when prepping the tooth, less enamel is removed from the surface before bonding the Lumineers to the tooth. Because of the thinness of the Lumineers, though still durable and long-lasting, they are not as strong as regular porcelain veneers and have the potential to be cracked or chipped. Lumineers can last more than 20 years but can also be removed from the teeth without permanent damage. They are very similarly priced as porcelain veneers, although slightly less expensive.

Feature	Lumineers
Benefits	🪞 Ultra-thin, 🦷 minimal prep, 😁 natural look
Durability	📆 Up to 20 years
Cost	💳 $800–$2,000 per tooth

• Lasting over 20 years
• Natural-looking
• Reversible
• Can be less expensive than porcelain veneers

• More prone to cracking and chipping
• Expensive: $800-$2000 per tooth
• Less chance of insurance coverage

Because Lumineers are so thin, they are less likely considered to be a restorative treatment, therefore, rarely covered by dental insurance. If your dental insurance covers cosmetic procedures, and your claim for Lumineers is honored, the cost is still higher for this premium alternative. With insurance, you can expect to pay around $1400 per tooth. Like most patients, who pay out of pocket for Lumineers with no insurance, the price often falls between $800 and $2000.

Key Things to Know:

• Instant, low-cost smile boost — prices start as low as $25.

• Fully reversible, but not for daily or long-term use.

• Not covered by insurance and may cause gum irritation over time.

For those who want an instantly brighter, straighter smile, wearing removable veneers may be the right decision. Temporary veneers are quite easy on your wallet, don’t involve any lengthy process, and are completely reversible. Removable or temporary veneers fit over your teeth, improving the color and appearance. There are many different kinds of removable veneers, and some can be made by taking an impression of your teeth to ensure a good fit. However, they do not have as natural of a look as porcelain veneers or composite veneers. Removable veneers can irritate your gums after hours of wear and are not made for long-term or even daily use.

Feature	Removable Veneers
Benefits	🎭 Temporary, 🔄 non-invasive, 🧳 travel-friendly
Durability	📆 Not long as they are not made for long-term or even daily usage
Cost	💲 As low as $25, not covered by insurance

• Instant smile transformation
• Inexpensive.
• You can eat with them on

• Temporary
• Not made for daily use
• Can cause plaque build-up or irritate gums when worn long-term
• Provide no protection for broken, cracked, or chipped teeth

Because removable veneers are so inexpensive, even as low as $25, and have no added oral hygienic advantage, they are not covered by insurance. As such, they are not recommended as a significant solution for tooth improvement. 

If you are looking for a skilled, experienced dentist to give you the glamorous smile you have dreamed of through porcelain or composite veneers, use the Find A Dentist Tool through Smile Generation today to learn more about the types of veneers and their cost.