How Much Do Lumineers Cost?
The average cost of Lumineers porcelain veneers is $6,025, according to 24 reviews from RealSelf community members, but that price can range from $4,400 to as much as $10,000 for a complete smile makeover.
Several factors affect the price of Lumineers, a premium brand of veneers made of an ultra-thin porcelain called Cerinate, so the best way to get a personalized cost estimate is by consulting with at least one cosmetic dentist about your unique situation.
Read on to find out whether they're covered by dental insurance, whether the hefty price tag is actually worth it, and why you might end up paying more or less than the average cost for your Lumineers.
Are Lumineers worth the money?
RealSelf members give Lumineers a 64% Worth It Rating, compared to a 91% Worth It Rating for traditional porcelain veneers.
Those who say their investment was "Worth It" rave about their new, beautiful smile. RealSelf member Steven Frimtzis in Indian Wells, California, who spent $9,090 for his Lumineers, says in his review that they gave him "perfect straight white teeth." While it was "rather expensive," he believes "it was worth every penny. I get complimented on my teeth all the time now and I can hardly keep myself from smiling." Steven also took advantage of a 10% discount for paying in cash.
On the other hand, the top complaint of people who say their Lumineers are "Not Worth It" is that they look bulky and unnatural. This tends to be a more common issue with Lumineers than other porcelain veneers because the tooth enamel usually isn't shaved prior to application. However, even some reviewers whose teeth were shaved first (like Kshowalter1 in Bloomington, Illinois) complained of bulkiness.
Other problems cited by RealSelf members include pain, inflammation along the gum line, a mismatch in tooth colors, poor alignment, and the veneers cracking or falling off within the first few months.
The company behind Lumineers says that they can last up to 20 years with proper dental care, and they offer a limited lifetime warranty that includes free replacements (if you get dental cleanings every six months and meet certain other criteria).
That said, this is a decision not to be made lightly, given the expense and the relatively low Worth It Rating.
To help ensure your results will be worth it, find a highly rated cosmetic dentist with a gallery of beautiful before and after photos, and experience performing hundreds or thousands of dental veneer procedures. Then ask them to walk you through the pros and cons of Lumineers vs. traditional porcelain veneers.
What affects the cost of Lumineers?
These are the biggest factors that affect the cost of this form of cosmetic dentistry:
1) The number of Lumineers you need.
Lumineers cost between $800 and $2,000 per tooth. They can be made to match your natural teeth, so it's possible to get Lumineers on just a single tooth.
The size of the tooth affects the price, as larger teeth require using more porcelain during the application process. Some patients choose to only place Lumineers on front teeth, sometimes called the "smile teeth."
If you are having multiple teeth treated, ask your dentist if they offer a package discount.
2) Your cosmetic dentist's credentials and level of expertise
Placing dental Lumineers requires a specific skill set, so it’s important to find a highly rated cosmetic dentist who specializes in it.
During your initial consultation, ask about how many of these procedures they've performed, what kind of post-graduate training they have, and whether your cases has any complex challenges they'll need to address.
3) Their practice location.
Cosmetic dental treatments like this one usually cost more in a major city, especially at an upscale practice (with high rent).
That said, you may also be more likely to find special offers in cities where more certified Lumineers dentists compete for patients.
If saving money is more important to you than staying ultra-local, it can be worth it to get cost quotes from qualified cosmetic dentists in a few different areas of your region, or even within the same city. You may even want to consider traveling to a smaller town or outside the U.S.
Just be sure to do your research and start with a consultation before booking, especially if you're considering traveling. You want to make sure that an experienced dentist will be applying your Lumineers, and that they'll take the time to get each tooth properly positioned.
4) The condition of your natural teeth and your oral health.
Before you get Lumineers, your dentist will examine your teeth, take X-rays, and evaluate your overall oral health.
You may need additional dental procedures done first to address tooth decay, broken teeth, discoloration, or gum disease. This dental work could include fillings, teeth whitening (to ensure your natural teeth will match your veneers), a root canal, or even orthodontic treatment, like braces or Invisalign to fix any tooth alignment issues.
Any work that needs to be done to improve your dental health before applying veneers probably won't be included into your Lumineers cost quote. But you'll want to factor it into your total cost, so you can budget accordingly.
If your teeth are strong, healthy, and reasonably straight, you can start the restoration process immediately, with no additional costs.
5) Any discounts or special offers.
Some providers offer a discount of as much as 10% if you pay in cash. Others offer packages deals if you get a certain number of teeth done.
You can also find coupons and special offers on deal sites, but be wary of two things: some of these deals are related to Lumineers the band (rather than dental veneers), while others may be offered by providers with less experience than you're looking for.
So before you snap up a deal, be sure you know who will be applying your veneers. Then check their credentials, patient reviews, and photos to ensure you'll be in good hands.
Are Lumineers cheaper than veneers?
While some dentists on RealSelf say the price is the same, others say that Lumineers can be less expensive than traditional porcelain veneers. Veneers usually involve more prep work, to reduce the enamel on the front of your natural teeth.
Dr. Anthony Mobasser, a cosmetic dentist based in Los Angeles, explains that “Lumineers take less of the doctor's time. Lumineers are no preparation veneers, meaning the dentist is not going to do any preparation on the patient’s teeth, and the dentist needs to only take impressions and bond them properly.” They also don't require temporary veneers, which means fewer dental visits.
The cost difference per tooth isn't huge: a single porcelain veneer can cost between $925 and $2,500 per tooth, while the cost of a single Lumineer ranges from $800 to $2,000.
However, that difference can really add up if you're getting multiple veneers or all of your teeth done.
Does insurance cover the cost of Lumineers?
Most dental insurance plans don't cover the cost of Lumineers (or other types of veneers) because they're considered an elective cosmetic procedure, rather than being medically necessary.
If you're getting the veneers to fix a medial issue like chipped teeth from a traumatic injury, there's a small chance that your dental insurance plan will cover a fraction of the cost of Lumineers. Just be aware that Lumineers aren't as good as traditional porcelain veneers at hiding chips.
If you think your case might qualify, ask your dentist for a detailed cost estimate and check with your insurance company to see if they'll approve coverage, and at what rate.