cosmetic dentistry costs and prices: porcelain veneers / dental veneers

Here's a very "ballpark" estimate of the price that you might pay to have porcelain veneers (porcelain laminates) included as a part of your cosmetic dentistry treatment plan.

$620.00 - $1100.00   per porcelain veneer.

When performing this cosmetic dentistry procedure a dentist will typically quote porcelain veneer fees on a "per unit" (per tooth) basis. If you were to decide to have porcelain veneers placed on all six of your front upper teeth, you could expect that your costs would be six times your dentist's per unit fee.

The figures shown here come from an unscientific survey of fees found in our area. Our sources are: the web, dentists, dental literature, and information received from dental insurance companies. Based on ACCRA's Cost of Living Index, we have extrapolated our regional data into the nationwide average fee range estimate shown above. Even in the same area the fee charged by dentists for a specific procedure can vary significantly, easily by as much as 30%.

We anticipate that the lower end of this range would be representative of an average fee found in a small rural town (whose ACCRA Cost of Living Index is approximately 85). The higher end of this range would be more representative of the average fee found in a large metropolitan area on either coast (whose ACCRA Cost of Living Index is around 125).

Determining fees for cosmetic dentistry procedures: The dentist's perspective.

While any dentist is in fact simply providing a service in exchange for a fee, when they perform their work most dentists would no doubt prefer to think that their patients have chosen them primarily by way of their reputation for creating great looking porcelain veneers and the quality of the results of their cosmetic dentistry treatment plans in general. It seems unlikely that any dentist would be flattered to learn that they had attracted their patients simply because they had the area's lowest fees.

Essentially all dentists will insist that a consultation appointment is required before they can provide a cost estimate for porcelain veneers, or any other type of cosmetic dental treatment. There very well may be an examination fee for this visit. The receptionist scheduling your consultation appointment should be able to quote this fee for you precisely.

The receptionist may not be able to know exactly what dental x-rays will be required, and these can add to the cost of the consultation. But these are items you would need no matter which dentist performed the work. After you have had your consultation appointment with the dentist, if you decide not to have them perform the treatment, or if you simply choose to get a second opinion, in most cases you can request that your x-rays be forwarded to another dental office.

Determining fees for cosmetic dentistry procedures: The patient's perspective.

It seems doubtful that any patient would want to choose a dentist based strictly on price. Especially in regards to a cosmetic dentistry procedure, the quality of the dental treatment performed should be of much greater concern than just cost. Ask your friends and coworkers who their dentist is. Reputations travel, your friends will know who has been able to create quality work for them or those they know. They will also have a good idea of how the fees charged by their dentist compare with other dentists in your area.

A polite telephone survey to a few dentists' offices can give you a general idea of the range of fees charged in your area. Many dental offices will, however, be somewhat put off by such inquires, primarily for two reasons. The first reason is that most dentists want to develop continuing relationships with their patients. They are interested in helping patients overcome their current dental problems and continuing on with periodic checks so to help them maintain their oral health. A phone call from a person "checking out the best prices in town" often does not fit this ideal.

The other problem is that dental office personnel realize that a phone inquiry, especially those about cosmetic procedures, often result in "apples and oranges" comparisons. Without an examination by a dentist it is impossible for the dental office personnel to know exactly what work is needed, and thus it is impossible for them to give you an accurate idea of the fee.

If you do choose to survey dental offices by phone we would suggest the following. The American Dental Association ("ADA") has developed a series of code numbers, each of which references a specific dental procedure. These codes are standard for the dental industry and are used by all dental offices and dental insurers. When making an enquiry ask the dental office receptionist what ADA code number is associated with the procedure for which they are providing fee information. Then make sure you reference this same number when contacting other dental offices. This way you are most likely to collect true "apples to apples" comparative quotes.