How much do veneers last and cost? That is the question.

The longevity and cost of veneers lie at the heart of the matter, literally the material. Other factors that add up are the application process, the condition of your teeth, how many veneers you'd need and the dentist's expertise.

Veneers' origin can be traced back to 1928 when California dentist Charles Pincus had the task of changing the teeth appearance of an actor for a movie.

These were the earliest form of veneers, although they were much more temporary than those used today. Actors having Pincus veneers had to take them off when they were not on camera.

Later, in 1937 Pincus fabricated composite veneers to be retained by denture adhesives for longer.

While gradually making their way into the heart of Hollywood, veneers quickly became popular outside of the film industry as one of the most viable treatment modalities since their introduction in 1983.

Since then, veneers have come a long way thanks to advancements in technology and science.

In their variety today, veneers are made of one of two leading materials: composite and porcelain. 

Composite veneers 

Composite veneers, or composite resin veneers, are made of organic and inorganic materials, including resin, fillers, and a bonding agent. Composite veneers can be applied directly by your dentists or indirectly when made in a dental lab and later attached to every tooth using resin cement.  

Direct composite veneers are the least invasive as the resin is sculpted directly onto the teeth in a single appointment. This type usually requires less prep work with little to no enamel removal. 

Indirect composite veneers are structurally close to porcelain veneers. The lab creates the resin shell with composite material while the dentist preps the tooth just as he would for a porcelain veneer. 

Indirect composite veneers cost more and last longer than direct composites, yet they cannot compare to porcelain. 

Composites last between 2 to 7 years, and while they look natural at first, this can change over time as they are prone to staining and discolouration.  

Composite veneers are an excellent cost-effective solution, but they require an extra degree of care if you want to preserve their aesthetics and ensure their maximum lifespan.  

In many cases, composite veneers are also easier to fix. If your veneer chips or cracks, your dentist may be able to revamp it in the clinic, which is hardly ever possible with porcelain veneers.  

It is worth saying that porcelain is less prone to breaking in the first place, so it is less likely to become a concern.   

The biggest pron of composite veneers is the cost, though.  

Longevity: 5 to 7 years on average

Competitive trait: Inexpensive and quick to get

Cost: between €150 and €300 per toot

Pros:

• affordable
• easily fixed if chipped or broken
• less invasive, little to no tooth enamel removal
• applied in one appointment without any temporary restorations

Cons:

• not so durable
• shorter lifespan
• less aesthetically pleasing
• inclined to stains, discolouration and chipping
  
  

Porcelain veneers 

The term “ceramic” technically refers to crystalline material. Porcelain is a mixture of glass and crystal components, and porcelain veneers come in a wide range of sub-types. 

There is no official classification of porcelain veneers, but generally, they are classified by their microstructure, composition and processing technique. 

The nature of ceramic processing affects the strength, thus longevity and clinical performance and should be one of the primary considerations when choosing a material. 

Classification of porcelain veneers based on processing techniques: 

Feldspathic porcelain veneers 

The first porcelain veneers came around the early 80s when innovative concepts of bonding thin pieces of porcelain to teeth with little-to-no tooth preparation were advancing to satisfy patient needs. 

Dentists would hand-layer feldspar, a naturally occurring glass-ceramic, to create veneers on the facial surfaces of the teeth and deliver highly esthetic results. 

At that time, feldspathic veneers had a thickness of 0.5mm, so thin that they could be placed directly on the enamel. 

Nowadays, ceramists can create feldspathic laminate veneers with a minimum 0.3mm thickness. 

Feldspathic porcelain veneers are highly translucent, resembling the colour and texture of natural teeth. 

They are also permanently bonded to the tooth surface, so there is no chance for a veneer to slip out of place. But once placed on the tooth, that tooth will always need a cover, meaning there is no turning back once you opt for traditional porcelain veneers. 

Pure porcelain-bonded restorations are conservative and esthetic, but they fail on strength. 

Generally, feldspathic porcelain veneers are indicated for anterior teeth, which have significant enamel left.  

Longevity: 15 to 20 years with good care

Competitive trait: Highly durable and stain-resistant

Cost: between €400 and €550 per tooth

Pros:

• strong and durable
• natural-looking esthetics
• stain-resistant, smooth, tooth-like texture
• biocompatible and easy on the soft tissues

Cons:

• long application process
• а lengthy tooth preparation process
• permanent solution requiring tooth enamel removal 

Lumineers 

Lumineers are a brand of veneers manufactured by DenMat dental laboratory, only offered by some dentists. 

Cerinate porcelain is a patented material used for Lumineers – ultra-thin, translucent porcelain laminate veneers (0.2mm or 0.3mm), requiring little to no preparation before placement. 

Lumineers are commonly applied to treat discoloured and irregularly shaped teeth. They are smooth to the touch, looking and feeling just like natural teeth. 

Unlike other veneers, with Lumineers, less enamel is removed. Easily applied in one appointment, they are removable, meaning you can keep your original look and feel. 

A downside to Lumineers being removable is that they are also more susceptible to slipping out of place. For this reason, you should avoid twisting and tearing food, which can loosen the bonding material used with Lumineers. 

Because of their thinness, Lumineers easily replicate the shape and colour of natural tooth enamel, even more so than porcelain veneers. 

However, Lumineers may not be the best option for very dark or discoloured teeth because of their slim design. In such cases, discolouration requires significantly more enamel removal.  

Albeit convenient, they have a greater chance of failure than traditional veneers, often resulting in a shorter lifespan. 

Longevity: 5 to 10 years on average

Competitive trait: Ultra-thin

Cost: between €350 and €450 per tooth

Pros:

• applied in one appointment
• less tooth preparation required 
• non-invasive and painless procedure
• semi-permanent, removed with little or no damage to original teeth

Cons:

• easily fractured
• bonding can loosen over time
• shorter lifespan than traditional veneers
• not so effective at covering imperfections 

Some dentists may offer other no-prep veneer alternatives made of traditional feldspathic porcelain or lithium disilicate ceramic. 

Nowadays, you will find the most widely used and strongest dental glass ceramics made of lithium disilicate. 

Empress 

Lithium disilicate pressed ceramics came to the scene in 1988 as the heat-pressed core material IPS™ Empress 2.  

These materials, termed pressable ceramics, advanced to correct the low strength of the feldspathic ones.  

They offer several advantages. For starters, pressed ceramics are lighter and thinner than traditional dental porcelains, comfortably fitting while removing less of the natural tooth.  

Made by one of the well-known manufacturers, Ivoclar, Empress veneers consist of IPS Empress® Esthetic material, а lucite-reinforced glass-ceramic, offering patients excellent strength values and esthetics. 

Pressed ceramic veneers like Empress are synthesized instead of milled, reducing the need for prep time and contouring of your underlying natural teeth.  

Empress veneers are about 0.5mm thick and require the removal of a thin layer of enamel to fit naturally. These veneers are lab designed and made, requiring two visits to complete. 

Longevity: 15 to 20 years on average

Competitive trait: The best match for natural teeth

Cost: between €350 and €400 per tooth

Pros:

• affordable
• long-lasting and hard-wearing
• better flexural strength
• little to no removal of the enamel required

Cons:

• suitable for cases where enamel does not need shaping
• requires well-aligned teeth 

Later in 2005, the reformulation and refinement of Empress 2 led to a new ceramic line under the brand name IPS™ e.Max Press.  

e.Max 

e.Max is another favoured brand of veneers designed and manufactured by Ivoclar based on lithium disilicate glass ceramics. 

IPS e.Max lithium disilicate materials provide natural-looking tooth colouring, outstanding light-optical properties, strength and durability. These ceramics are stronger and more fracture-resistant than stacked feldspathic porcelain.  

e.Max veneers have 45% transparency, blending well with your natural teeth. This option may not be ideal where natural teeth are highly discoloured and stained. 

Longevity: 10 to 15 years on average

Competitive trait: Durability and stabilizing effects

Cost: between €350 and €400 per tooth

Pros:

• true-to-nature esthetics
• minimally invasive procedure
• strong, strain and fracture-resistant 
• blends excellently with adjacent teeth
• little to no removal of the enamel required
• long-term clinical success and scientifically documented results 

Cons:

• lengthy application procedure
• ultra-thin, they can chip or fracture easily
• irreversible 

Zirconia 

You will need a white zirconium dioxide block to create a zirconia veneer. Zirconia veneers have high crystalline content but are less translucent when compared to lithium disilicate. 

One of the sturdiest materials on the market, zirconia veneers are prefered for fixing dental issues such as extensive decays, chippings, and fractures.  

Because of the higher crystalline content, zirconia veneers are a good option if you want to work on discolouration.  

100% biocompatible, zirconia veneers are strong, highly resistant to wear and chipping, and are considered a superior choice for patients with bruxism. 

The natural appearance of zirconia veneers is achieved through the process of milling pressed solid blocks that are free of voids and imperfections. Baked at ultra-high temperatures, technicians can deliver veneers with a glistening surface that is beautiful and fracture-resistant. 

As to the procedure, zirconia veneers have one drawback, as they require more tooth enamel removal. 

Longevity: 20 years or more

Competitive trait: The best match for natural teeth

Cost: between €350 and €430 per tooth

Pros:

• high strength and durability
• strengthening and bite alignment qualities
• fracture and stain-resistant, biocompatible material
• smooth exterior and comfort
• the superior choice for bruxism patients 

Cons:

• hard to modify
• not an easy application procedure
• longer procedure time and tooth preparation   

 

There are many types of veneers, and finding the right one for you will depend primarily on your preference for price, longevity and esthetics. 

Having veneers is a huge smile-changing decision, and you should explore all options before deciding what type will work best for you. Other treatment options applied alone or in combination like braces, aligners, bonding, or whitening may be more suitable for your case. 

Why choose Dentaround?

With Dentaround, you get access to accredited clinics and highly qualified specialists while you enjoy leisure time alongside getting your treatment done at an affordable cost. 

Our all-inclusive packages featuring verified clinics, experienced specialists, homey stays, tailored meal plans and, of course, our unbeatable on-the-ground support allow you to enjoy a relaxed holiday in some of the best destinations in Bulgaria. 

Dentaround takes pride in being the first dental tourism facilitator of its kind. We get it – travelling for dental care abroad is a big decision. It's not every day you fly across the world to get your dream smile, but for us, it has been our every day for the past three years. Let’s just say we know what dental travellers want: trusted clinics, quality dental treatments and free time, a mix of world-class service and insider knowledge you won’t find on Google.  

We were born and raised in Bulgaria, and we know the destination from the inside out better than anyone. So you’ll get more than just a dental treatment, you’ll experience dental tourism differently. Quality dental care, big savings and hard-to-forget experiences – that’s our thing. With accredited clinics in a variety of destinations across Bulgaria, we’re sure you’ll find yours. So let’s get started. 

Want to check out our full range of veneer treatments and packages? We’ve got everything you need right here.