Porcelain veneers may be the most effective form of cosmetic dentistry yet developed, at least for most patients who suffer from stained and/or misaligned teeth. They do not come cheap however; in 2006, the average cost was about $1000 per tooth. This cost can vary widely, depending on several factors.
These factors include the region of the country, the type of materials, the experience and reputation of the dentist and more. In some parts of the country, porcelain veneers may be installed for as little as $650 per tooth; in other areas, the cost can be as much as $3100 per tooth. However, a $650 porcelain veneer may not necessarily be a bargain.
One of the reasons that porcelain veneers are so costly is because obtaining the skills required to perform this type of cosmetic dental restoration requires a great deal of training and hundreds of hours of coursework and practical experience beyond the basic dental degree. Cosmetic dentistry is also as much art as it is science; therefore, a good cosmetic dentist must have a keen eye and well-developed sense of aesthetics.
Unfortunately, the field of cosmetic dentistry is not a “legally recognized” dental specialty. This means that anyone with a degree in general dentistry can legally represent his or herself as a “cosmetic dentist,” regardless of qualifications - or lack thereof.
If a dentist offers porcelain veneers for what seems to be an absurdly low price, this should be a red warning flag that s/he is probably not trained or skilled in this particular area. You may wind up worse off than if you had done nothing at all.
On the other hand, if a cosmetic dentist is charging $3100 per tooth - particularly in a market like Manhattan or for porcelain veneers in Los Angeles area - they may be among the top cosmetic dentists in the area, but here you are paying for high overhead, taxes, office rent and in all probability, reputation. There is nothing wrong with the latter - it is a simple function of supply and demand. An expert cosmetic dentist in New York City or LA is likely to be very much in demand, and his/her fees will reflect this.
The current average cost of porcelain veneers is currently in the neighborhood of $1500 per tooth; your best bet is to ask your primary care dentist for a referral, or check with your state’s licensing bureau and local chapter of the American Dental Association.