Is Replacing Dental Veneers Expensive?

Question

I'm considering dental veneers for my four or six front upper teeth. They are small, narrow, and have gaps between them. It's like I'm not even smiling when I smile. I want a wider smile. However I heard that when veneers need to be replaced, you have to get the whole thing done over again, and that's expensive! What if, 20 years later, I don't have the money to replace the veneers? What would happen? That's scary, but every doctor is dead-set against bonding (sigh), so what can I expect?

Scott Young, DDS · Answer

It sounds as though you are a great candidate for porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are a great investment that will truly give you more confidence when you smile. You need to be aware that in 20 years there is a good chance that they will need to be replaced. The cost will probably be more at that time to replace them then it is now. If this concerns you perhaps braces would be a better option for you. Keep in mind that braces will straighten your teeth, but will not give you longer or wider teeth. Good luck.

Wendy S. Spektor, DDS · Answer

I suggest that you go to another cosmetic dentist and see if they will start with bonding plastic instead of bonding veneers. Eventually you may have veneers done but maybe its down the road. Bonding can look great and is a great option to begin-especially because the cost is less. Have the dentist do a diagnostic wax up where you can see how it will look. You will need to eventually replace your dentistry because nothing lasts forever but bonding is less costly and a great place to start. Replacement can then be veneers next! Both bonding and veneers have been shown to last for a long time depending on how you care for them. Bonding has become one of the most successful procedeures dentistry has to offer. Just do your research first.

George Koutsoukos, DDS · Answer

The answer to your question is yes, replacement of dental veneers is expensive. My advice to you is live in the present and do not worry about the cost and replacement of something 20 years down the road. Give yourself something you want now, and that is a beautiful smile that veneers can give you and enjoy them. it is important you take good care of your teeth and have good oral hygiene, healthy gums. But the MOST important factor in their longevity, is that you have no bruxism, grinding and clenching issues with your jaw. This puts extra stress on your veneers causing them to break or wear down just like normal teeth. Make sure you find a good cosmetic dentist and that you discuss all of these issues with him before you do this procedure. Remember after 20 years, hips wear out, cars wear out and appliances wear out...so do veneers! Enjoy the 20 years you have a beautiful smile because you did this procedure!

Donald L. Wilcox, DDS · Answer

It is impossible to place a price on having a great smile that you are confident in sharing with all of those around you. The personal and business benefits can be enormous. Most great cosmetic dentists will give you some sort of a guarentee to be sure you are cost free for the initial years. If one would eventually fail, that does not mean you have to replace all of them again. People pay 100k for a car knowing full well it is not going to last forever. It all comes down to your own value judgement of the benefits to you.

Leonard Tau, DMD · Answer

As some of the other dentists have stated nothing last forever and that certainly includes veneers. Cars, shoes, all need replacing so do not let that factor into your decision. If taken care of veneers can last a very long time. When they need to be replaced most of the same steps are taken.

Scott LeSueur, DDS · Answer

Longevity of a cosmetic dental restoration must be a factor when considering treatment and this is a discussion that should take place with your personal cosmetic dentist in the consultation/exam phase. There are many factors which affect the success and longevity such as home care, oral hygiene, excess stresses on the veneers from malocclusions, grinding and clenching of the teeth, and neuromuscular position of the teeth and their occlusion. An experienced cosmetic dentist with proper training can and should discuss these matters and their relationship to your treatment with you, but the bottom line is that regardless of the type of restoration that you choose, bonding or veneers, replacement at some time in the future may most likely be necessary and therefore taken into account in your decision for treatment. Veneers have been proven to be a very worthwhile investment. Best of health and success to you!

Marc Zive, DMD · Answer

Nothing in life lasts forever!  Not even dental veneers.  Potential replacement after 20 years, as you suggest, is not a reason to avoid having them done now.  You may invest in a car, drive it for 20 years and then decide it is time to replace it.  Your new car will be another investment, but not necessarily a reason to forego a car today.

	High quality veneers prepared and placed by a skilled dental professional will last a long time.  The aesthetic results and positive effects on self confidence are well worth the investment for most patients.

J. Willis Baker, DDS · Answer

We commonly have these concerns about life expectancy and durability of veneers. If your current dentition is truly small and the veneers are going to be adding length and width with minimum tooth reduction i feel your case is more predictable. You also need to think about your grinding or clenching habits. Do you have any habits that are destructive to your teeth? chewing ice? biting finger nails? As long as teeth are used for eating and not as tools they will survive. Reasons for replacement are staining of teeth (natural and restored) recurrent decay, fracture from trauma, chipping and wear, and some debonding can occur. Typically you can just rebond the veneer that came off and be fine for an extended period of time. I do feel that if you are self conscious the benefits will far outweigh the costs once you see the cosmetic benefits. Ask for a cosmetic mock up to test drive the smile before you commit to the entire procedure. In the end nothing lasts forever. Maintenance is going to be needed from time to time. If your case lasts 20 years, and you have a veneer break, the technology at that time may be far superior and an entirely new method may exist to make things better, stronger, and more esthetic.

Greg Lutke, DDS · Answer

Thanks for explaining you current smile and its problems - but it is great that you have the easiest kind of smile to improve with porcelain veneers.  The result will be awesome.  You will be thrilled!

	Back to your question - yes, after 20 years there are some veneer cases that need to be re-done.  This is due to the porcelain wearing out or other functional use problems.  But this isn't the case for all veneer patients.  I did several full veneer cases in the 80's that are still beautiful and don't require anything new or have need to be re-done.  You may be one of these cases.

Dan Hagi, DDS · Answer

Replacing veneers often involves the same steps as originally placing veneers.  The porcelain needs to be removed from the teeth, the teeth cleaned and new veneers fabricated.  As a result a fee similar to placing veneers on original teeth is charged and sometimes more because it is sometimes more difficult to work though porcelain.  New technology allows us to use dental lasers to remove the veneers conservatively, but that's another topic all together.  Nothing lasts forever so you are wise in planning for the future.

	You need to meet with a qualified dentist and discuss your options in detail.  Some clinicians are able to provide great results with bonding, this may be both more conservative than veneers and carry a lower cost down the road.  Perhaps closing the gaps using Invisalign is an option, or maybe porcelain veneers are the best, you need to get educated about the options. My advise is to get all your options on the table and see what makes the most sense to you.

Is Replacing Dental Veneers Expensive?

Answers (13)

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