How much do veneers cost in NZ?

How much is a full set of veneers in NZ?

There is no single price for "a set", because veneers are charged per tooth and most people only have the teeth that show when they smile done. At the Auckland medians of $550 (composite) and $1,695 (porcelain), the common numbers come to:

• 4 veneers: $2,200 composite, $6,780 porcelain.
• 6 veneers: $3,300 composite, $10,170 porcelain.
• 8 veneers: $4,400 composite, $13,560 porcelain.
• 10 veneers: $5,500 composite, $16,950 porcelain.
• Add the first consultation, an examination with x-rays at an Auckland median of $120, and any fillings or gum treatment the dentist wants done first.

What is the 4 8 10 rule for veneers?

It is a rule of thumb for how many upper teeth to treat so the result looks even. Four veneers covers the front four teeth and suits fixing a gap, chips or one or two discoloured teeth. Eight takes in the canines and first premolars, which is what most people show in a normal smile. Ten reaches the second premolars for a wide smile. The number you need depends on how far back your smile goes, not on the rule, so ask the dentist to show you on a photo where the veneers would stop.

Composite or porcelain veneers: which costs what?

Composite veneers are tooth-coloured resin built up on the tooth in one visit. They have an Auckland median of $550 a tooth, usually need little or no enamel removed, and can be repaired, but they pick up stains and are commonly redone after several years. Porcelain veneers are made in a laboratory and bonded on at a second visit. They cost about three times as much, an Auckland median of $1,695, resist staining and last longer, but enamel is normally removed first, which is permanent. A porcelain veneer costs about the same as a crown at $1,700.

Are dental veneers worth the money?

For chipped, worn, gappy or badly stained front teeth that whitening can't fix, many people find they are. The cost to weigh is not just the first bill: veneers are replaced over a lifetime, and once enamel has been removed for a porcelain veneer that tooth will always need one. If your teeth are healthy and only yellowed, whitening first is far cheaper and leaves the tooth untouched. Get the price for the whole plan in writing, including how many teeth, which material and what a replacement would cost.

What's a cheaper version of veneers?

Three cheaper options, in rising order of cost: whitening, which has an Auckland median of $450 for a take-home kit and $650 in the chair; composite bonding on just the chipped or gappy tooth, priced like a filling; and composite veneers at $550 a tooth instead of porcelain. AUT's teaching clinic in Manukau offers whitening trays and a kit for $230 (AUT price list). Clip-on or press-on "veneers" sold online are not dental treatment and are not covered here.

Do veneers cover the full tooth?

No. A veneer covers only the front surface of the tooth and wraps slightly over the biting edge. A crown is the one that covers the whole tooth, which is why it is chosen when a tooth is broken or heavily filled rather than only discoloured or misshapen. See the cosmetic dentistry guide for how whitening, bonding, veneers and crowns compare.

Does insurance, WINZ or ACC pay for veneers?

Veneers for looks are cosmetic, so health insurance policies generally exclude them and Work and Income's dental grant does not cover cosmetic work. ACC can contribute when a front tooth was chipped or broken in an accident it has accepted, and a veneer or bonding may be part of the repair; decay and wear are not covered. Many practices offer payment plans for cosmetic work, so ask before you book.