Originally invented in 1928 by Dr Charles Pincus, dental veneers provide one of the quickest and easiest ways to achieve that perfect smile.
Rather than spending months with uncomfortable and unsightly braces, and thousands of bucks on teeth whitening treatments, why not fix every aspect of your teeth (from the colour to the size, shape, and alignment) all at one go?
Unlike implants or crowns, dental veneers are thin, tooth-coloured shells that cover just the front of your teeth. They can able to:
- Fill the gaps in between your teeth
- Give you a pearly white smile
- Get rid of chipped or misshapen teeth.
Each unit is tailored to you, and with the proper care, dental veneers can last decades.
Deemed as an aesthetic treatment, it is not the same as getting dental implants and crowns, which is typically reserved for more complex, medical issues.
Thus, the oral health of patients has to be in tip-top shape. Any evidence of brittle teeth, dental decay, gum disease, enamel hypoplasia or bruxism may render you unsuitable for dental veneers.
The different types of dental veneers
1. Composite dental veneers
The most popular and affordable type of veneers, composite veneers (or direct resin veneers) are made of tooth-coloured resins that are applied directly onto the teeth.
This relatively non-invasive procedure is a hugely convenient option that takes only one visit to the dentist to complete. Nevertheless, these veneers are not the strongest and may discolour after a while.
2. Indirect composite dental veneers
The main difference between direct and indirect composite veneers is that the latter is crafted in a laboratory, whereas the former is made by the dentist while the patient is sitting on the dental chair.
Because more time and effort is needed to create them, they come at a higher price as well. At the same time, as they are made with the same material as composite veneers, there may not be a very large difference when it comes to the actual quality of the veneers.
3. Porcelain dental veneers
Also known as ceramic veneers, porcelain dental veneers offer high standards in terms of their look, feel, durability and strength, and take more than one trip to the dentist to complete.
They are available in various subcategories, namely:
- Pressed porcelain
- Milled porcelain
- Feldspathic porcelain
- Ultra-thin, no-prep porcelain.
Lasting as long as 20 years, they appear the most natural and protect against chipping or severe stains on the teeth.
As porcelain alternatives are generally thicker than most veneers, patients will have to undergo an enamel removal procedure to make way for the veneers.
Despite being the most expensive option, they also offer the greatest value, considering their many benefits.
4. Zirconia dental veneers
Zirconia veneers are similar to porcelain veneers, boasting many of the same advantages.
Made from a ceramic material named zirconia oxide, they are known to be multi-coloured and incredibly translucent, which allows you to match your dental veneers with the rest of your teeth with high precision.
Durable yet non-abrasive, they also tend to last a little longer than porcelain veneers. However, they are not as commonly available as their porcelain counterparts, and the colour, clarity, and brilliance of these veneers may fade over time.
For a more in-depth understanding of dental veneers, you may read our Ultimate Guide to Dental Veneers here.
A detailed breakdown of dental veneer costs in Singapore
Types of dental procedures
Price range
General consultation and dental examination (Low end)
$40 to $80
General consultation and dental examination (High end)
$80 to $150
Periapical dental X-rays
$25 to $50
Conventional dental mould impressions
$20 to $50
Lab fees for dental mock-ups
About $50
Dental wax-ups
$15 to $60
Local anaesthesia
$50 to $500
Temporary plastic veneers
$80 to $160
Resin composite fillings
$100 to $500
Silver fillings
$50 to $300
Gum contouring
$200 to $700
Porcelain dental veneers
$1,000 to $2,500 per tooth
Direct resin dental veneers (Or composite dental veneers)
$200 to $300 per tooth
Indirect composite dental veneers
$250 to $1,500 per tooth
Scaling and polishing
$50 to $100
Disclaimer: This table includes additional procedures that are not always necessary or included in a routine, non-complex dental veneer treatment. The costs listed are also just rough estimates and do not reflect the prices of any particular clinic in Singapore.
Like most dental procedures, many factors go into the overall cost. Before your dental veneers are created, your dentist may put you through a dental X-ray and take an impression of your teeth.
The production of dental mock-ups may also be required. This is where you will get a chance to make changes and perfect the look and fit of the veneers. While waiting for your dental veneers to be ready, you may receive temporary plastic ones to wear as well.
If the enamel of your teeth needs to be removed, your dentist may offer local anaesthesia to reduce the level of discomfort.
All this is if there aren’t any issues with your teeth. An initial consultation and dental examination may reveal the presence of various cavities, which must be filled before the application of dental veneers.
Gum contouring may also be necessary if your gums are resting too low or if you’ve got excess gum tissue.
This procedure reshapes your gums and allows the veneers to rest nicely on your teeth. Once your veneers are ready, a final polish helps to clean the teeth and facilitate the bonding of the veneers.
A cost comparison guide for dental clinics across Singapore that provides dental veneers
Private clinics in Singapore
Address
Price for dental veneers
Newport Dental
1 Stadium Place, #01-08, Singapore 397628
$250 to $850 per tooth
Nuffield Dental
Islandwide (10 clinics)
From $600 per tooth for composite veneers
From $1,500 per tooth for ceramic veneers
Aesthetic & Dental Surgery
6 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039594
$300 to $500 per unit for composite veneers
$750 to $1,000 per unit for porcelain veneers
Pure NZ Dental
62 Jalan Jurong Kechil, JK Building, Singapore 598584
$500 per tooth for composite veneers
$1,100 per tooth for porcelain and zirconia veneers
G Dental Center
25 Ghim Moh Link, #01-04, Singapore 270025
$250 to $1,000 per tooth for porcelain veneers
The Dentist@Orchard
277 Orchard Road, Orchard Gateway, #03-01, Singapore 238858
$300 per tooth for composite veneers
$1,300 per tooth for porcelain veneers
Specialist Dental Group
6 Napier Road, Gleneagles Medical Centre, #07-17, Singapore 258499
3 Mount Elizabeth, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, #08-03/04/10,
Singapore 228510
$1,800 to $2,600 per tooth for zirconia veneers
The Dental Studio
6A Shenton Way, OUE Downtown (Tower 2), #02-17/18, Singapore 068815
290 Orchard Road, Paragon (via Lift Lobby E or F), #09-09/10, Singapore 238859
116 Bishan Street 12, , #02-28, Singapore 570116
$1,605 to $2,140 per tooth for porcelain veneers
i.Dental
168 Robinson Road, Capital Tower, #13-04, Singapore 068912
302 Ubi Avenue 1, #01-47, Singapore 400302
1 Northpoint Drive, Northpoint City, #B1-176, Singapore 768019
168 Robinson Road, Capital Tower, #01-04, Singapore 068912
$267.50 to $2,140 per tooth
Maritime Dental Surgery
120 Cantonment Road, Maritime House, #02-04, Singapore 089760
$600 to $800 per tooth
TLC Dental Centre
360 Orchard Road, International Building, #05-05, Singapore 239459
From $1,000 per tooth
Orchard Scotts Dental
541 Orchard Road, Liat Towers, #07-01/02, Singapore 238881
From $1,500 per tooth
A typical treatment for fixing dental veneers can cost anywhere from $250 to $2,600 per tooth. If you are dealing with a chipped tooth, it is likely that only a single veneer is required.
However, for a more even look, you may opt to get all of your front teeth covered with veneers. This can amount to about six to eight veneers across the top and bottom rows of your front teeth.
What other factors affect the cost of dental veneers?
Aside from the complexity of the case and the materials used, another element that contributes to the cost of getting dental veneers is the skill, experience and repute of the dentist.
A highly trained one is able to offer a seamless, painless experience, and results that last a lifetime. Likewise, not every clinic works with the same quality of equipment and range of dental veneers.
For instance, Pure NZ Dental offers zirconia veneers, while most places provide only composite and porcelain options.
Not sure which dentist to choose? This article might help you: The Ultimate Guide to Seeing a Dentist in Singapore (2020)
To get in touch with an expert in crafting and applying dental veneers, head to Human’s online index of dentists. You can find more about the procedure as well with this in-depth guide on getting dental veneers in Singapore.
