Dental veneers are dental porcelain or composite resin that are placed on your existing teeth to enhance your smile and appearance of your teeth.

If you are looking to solve the following cosmetic problems, dental veneers might be right up your alley:

• Discolouration of teeth from smoking or coffee stains
• Chipped teeth
• Gaps between teeth

There are two types of dental veneers:

• Porcelain dental veneers
• Composite dental veneers

If you have done some research on the cost of dental veneers in Singapore, you will find that the cost varies greatly from clinic to clinic.

• In Singapore, the costs of dental implants can range from $500 - $3,000 per tooth.
• The cost might include tooth bonding, dental impressions, designing of dental veneers and dental veneers.
• The cost might not include X-rays, extractions, temporary dental veneers, fillings, retainers and teeth cleaning.

There are also some home DIY options available that claim to be able to replicate the same results as heading to a dentist. These DIY kits might cost as little as $3 per tooth, but might cost more in the long-term.

Home dental DIY treatments should not be attempted as they might be more expensive in the long-term to both your oral health and general wellness. There is no one-size-fit-all solution for dental care.

Some potential dangers include:

• Damaging existing teeth and surrounding teeth
• Removing vital coating from self-reshaping
• Hypersensitive teeth from over shaping
• Changing your bite
• Jaw pain from shift in teeth alignment
• Poisoning with toxic materials

If you are deciding between temporary dental veneers that cost $300 and a reputable clinic that charges $3,000 per dental veneer, it is important to make a decision based on the consequences and outcome of treatment that you are looking for.

While $300 might sound affordable and the more cost friendly option, the difference in cost might be attributed to the following reasons:

• The experience of the dentist
• The amount of personalisation required based on aesthetic needs and requirements
• The materials used for the veneer
• Lab fees

Porcelain dental veneers are typically more expensive than composite dental veneers. The average cost of porcelain dental veneers is more than double the cost of composite dental veneers.

Here are some reasons why:

• Porcelain dental veneers last longer (10 - 15 years) while composite dental veneers are less durable (4 - 8 years).
• Porcelain dental veneers are highly resistant to staining while composite dental veneers are prone to staining and discoloration like natural teeth.
• Porcelain dental veneers are considered to be more superior aesthetically in comparison to dental veneers.

Heading to an experienced dentist for dental veneers can be life-changing for the result of your teeth. An experienced dentist will be able to:

• Guide you through the dental veneers process to achieve the outcome you want.
• Avoid potential irreversible teeth damage that might affect your bite and alignment.

A full set of dental veneers usually has about 6-8 upper teeth and 6-8 lower teeth. Depending on the number of veneers you would require, a full set of teeth with a credible and trusted dentist would cost about $10,000 - $60,000 in Singapore.

There are clinics that offer bulk discounts if you have multiple dental veneers. These clinics would also most likely offer financing options such as:

• Interest-free installment payments
• Buy Now Pay Later services

Cheapest veneers can be light on your wallet at first, but might become a costly mistake in the future:

• Cheap dental veneers can be a sign of a non-confident or inexperienced dentist
• An inexperienced dentist might create and place veneers that can result in discomfort.
• Misplaced dental veneers can lead to misalignment of the jaw.  
• The materials used in the dental veneers might be made of cheap and unregulated materials that can break or release toxic substances.

There are no discounts for dental veneers as they are a cosmetic procedure. However, some dental clinics might be able to offer you a preferential rate should you do multiple dental veneers. This can be discussed with your dentist during consultation. There might also be clinics who are able to offer an interest-free 3, 6, 9 or 12 month instalment plan and other relevant financing options depending on how you would like to pay for your treatment.

• Dental veneers can be a great way to enhance your smile.
• Always find an experienced dentist to work with you on your dental veneers.
• Porcelain veneers might be more suitable and durable for you if you are a heavy coffee drinker or smoker.
• Cheap veneers might not be cheap in the long-term as they are more prone to breakage and damage and require an alternative replacement.