So you’ve seen those smile makeovers with Veneers on IG and TikTok, and now you’re intrigued: can I do that — and how much does it cost?
For the first part, yes, you can probably fix your smile with veneers. Whether you’re looking to address crooked or chipped teeth, staining, or an imperfect bite, dental veneers can seriously upgrade your appearance and self-esteem.
For the second part, in Metro Vancouver you’re generally looking at prices around:
- $1100 – $2000 per veneer for porcelain veneers.
- $300 – $500 per veneer for composite veneers.
Remember, that’s the price per veneer. The total cost of your smile makeover will depend on both the type and number of veneers you get — and, along with breaking down those prices, I’m going to explain how to decide on both of those things in this blog.
Let’s Talk Numbers. Exactly How Many Veneers Should I Get?
When it comes to determining the cost of dental veneers, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Because everyone’s mouths are different, the total cost will depend on the number of teeth that need to be treated, the current condition of the teeth, your “bite”, your gum health and any other treatments necessary to improve the esthetics, health, and function of your teeth.
The amount of teeth that need to be treated partly depends on one’s cosmetic dental expectations. This can be determined by looking at your widest smile in a mirror and asking yourself the following questions:
- How many teeth do you show when you smile?
- If there are only a few teeth that you feel need treatment, are you happy with the colour, size, and shape of the rest of your teeth?
On average, most cases of veneers involve eight upper teeth. However, we may only need to do four, and in others it can be up to 10 upper teeth.
Depending on the number of changes planned and how much your other teeth show while smiling, I sometimes recommend teeth whitening or other treatments so that your entire smile has an even, consistent look.
This, together with the different costs for materials, is why the cost of veneers in Vancouver (and everywhere) has such a large range.
The Type of Material Used for Veneers
There are two types of veneers to consider: porcelain and composite (also called resin — it’s essentially a white filling material that’s placed on top of the tooth).
While both can be used for a variety of aesthetic situations to create very pleasing results, I always begin either approach with a thorough cosmetic analysis (see the photos below) to understand the patient’s desires and show them a preview of the results before any permanent treatment begins.
Porcelain Veneers
As I mentioned before, the cost of porcelain veneers varies from around $1,100 to $2,000 per tooth based on fees in the Vancouver area.
Our current porcelain veneer prices at the time of writing this article are $1,250 per tooth in Vancouver.
When patients say they have or want veneers, they’re usually referring to the porcelain variety. Porcelain isn’t completely as strong as natural tooth enamel, but it’s still very strong while offering a natural, organic look.
Keep in mind that there are a variety of porcelain compositions available today, and each has its pros and cons with respect to strength, aesthetics, and long-term durability.
In general though, all types of porcelain veneers are stronger than composite resin veneers and are able to provide much better stain resistance.
Porcelain veneers take 2 dental visits to apply, and you can expect about 10-15 years from a porcelain veneer (or longer – I’ve talked about the lifespan of porcelain veneers in another blog, if you’re interested).
The before and after photos below are from a patient I worked on. As you can see, the results are very noticeable!
Composite Veneers
The cost of composite veneers in Vancouver generally ranges from around $300 to $500 per tooth — once again, the total will depend on how many teeth are necessary to treat.
Composite is another name for a white filling, and this safe, tooth-coloured plastic and glass mixture gives you a more affordable way of changing the colour and shape of your teeth.
So, what’s “the catch”?
While composite costs significantly less than porcelain, composite veneers are more likely to stain, chip or break. On average, composite veneers last between 5 and 7 years before they’ll need to be redone again, although – just as with porcelain – they can sometimes last longer.
Dentist's Tip: Composite veneers are more likely to stain for people who smoke or drink a lot of tea. Tea, in particular, stains teeth more than coffee.
Here are a few before and after photos from some of my patients who received composite veneers. For a more affordable option, the results still look very natural and lifelike.
Other Veneers Costs to Consider
Whether it’s for veneers or any other dental treatment, I always tell people to ask if the treatment estimate they receive is all-inclusive.
Sometimes, the price you’re given may just be for one portion of your treatment, and you end up feeling blindsided by your total bill.
That’s certainly not a good feeling, and it’s why I’m always up-front with patients about all-related treatment costs.
I’ll use the pricing breakdown for veneers here at VCCID as an example.
Usually, there’s an initial consultation and exam for veneers that costs between $100 and $200 dollars; here at VCCID, it’s $143, and there will be a line item on your estimate explaining what the charge is for.
During the consultation, we do a mockup of your smile in wax. While we generally do not charge for this step, we do charge for the lab fee. Lab costs are required before we start and are $50 per tooth.
Sometimes patients need to work on their gum health or receive other pre-treatments before they can receive their veneers. That, too, can affect the total cost of getting veneers.
These fees add up, and while they’re absolutely worth it to receive a smile that you’re proud of, it’s better to be aware of them ahead of time so you can accurately budget for your treatment.
Overall, the average cost for most patients we have treated in Vancouver is in the ballpark of $9,000 to $10,000. This total is based on eight teeth and the use of porcelain veneers, which are the most popular and long-lasting of the two veneer materials.
Can I pay with dental insurance?
Unless you have a very generous insurance plan, veneers typically aren’t eligible for coverage.
Most insurance plans only cover treatments that are classified as being “medically necessary”, and – since veneers are a cosmetic dental treatment focused on improving your smile’s appearance – you aren’t able to directly pay for the treatment through dental insurance.
However, you might still be able to cover some of the related costs, like lab work or the consultation, so I’d suggest checking with your insurance provider to see if any parts of the treatment are eligible for coverage.
You Have Options!
Your smile makeover doesn’t have to break the bank. People can get locked into the mindset that they can only receive a single treatment, or that all of their veneers must be made from one material, but – in reality – things are much more flexible.
To make treatment costs more manageable for some of my previous patients, I’ve used a combination of whitening with porcelain veneers on the most visible front teeth and composite veneers on the less visible “back” teeth.
Recently, I’ve also partnered with Dentalcard to give you the option of financing your treatment as well. That lets you spread out your treatment cost and enjoy the benefits of a smile makeover sooner.
I’d be happy to sit down with you to talk about your goals for your smile — and how you can reach them within your budget. The smile of your dreams is more accessible than you think! Just take the first step and book a consultation.
2 thoughts on “How Much Do Dental Veneers Cost in Vancouver?”
Can veneers close the gap on my front teeth?
Yes they can!