What Do Porcelain Veneers Cost? A Charleston Patient's Guide

Porcelain veneers can change how you feel about your smile, and it's fair to want to know what they cost before you book. The cost of porcelain veneers in Charleston, SC depends on how many teeth you're treating, what those teeth need first, and how you plan to pay. In this post we cover what shapes a veneer estimate, the real downsides to weigh, how insurance and payment work with us, and how Dr. Vicki Tatum decides how white a new smile should be.

How much do porcelain veneers cost in Charleston, SC?

The cost of porcelain veneers depends mostly on how many teeth you want to cover and whether any other dental work is part of your plan. Every smile is different, so the way to get a real number is a visit where our team looks at your teeth and gives you an estimate for your own plan.

Our porcelain veneers are hand-crafted porcelain shells made to reshape, brighten and refine your smile, designed to look natural and last. Veneers are thin shells bonded to the front of your teeth, according to the ADA's MouthHealthy guide to veneers.

These are the pieces that usually shape a veneer estimate:

• How many veneers. A plan for one chipped tooth is very different from a plan for every tooth that shows when you smile.
• The teeth underneath. Veneers are bonded to your natural teeth, so if a tooth needs other treatment, that becomes part of the plan.
• Your other goals. Whitening doesn't change the color of porcelain, according to the ADA, so if you'd like your natural teeth brighter too, bring it up before your veneers are made.
• How you pay. Your insurance plan and the payment option you choose both affect what you pay out of pocket.

What is the downside of porcelain veneers?

The main downside is that placing a veneer usually means removing a small amount of enamel from the front of the tooth, so it isn't a change you can undo, according to the ADA. Veneers can also chip, and over time they need to be replaced.

Dr. Tatum is direct about what wear looks like. Asked how you know it's time to replace veneers, she said: "They start breaking down at the edges. They start chipping or they get a cavity behind them."

That last point is worth remembering. The tooth under a veneer is still your natural tooth, so it still needs brushing, flossing and regular dental cleanings.

Are porcelain veneers worth the cost?

For many patients, yes, because porcelain veneers that are well cared for can serve you for many years. Dr. Tatum is honest with patients that veneers aren't forever: "I'm telling people you can anticipate having to replace this in 20 years. And that's if they wear their night guards," she said, along with having their teeth cleaned regularly.

She has seen them go longer, too: "I've redone some here recently that are 23, 24 years old."

The night guard part matters. Grinding or clenching your teeth can damage them, and the ADA notes that a mouth guard worn at night can help protect your teeth. Its MouthHealthy guide to teeth grinding explains more. If you grind at night, tell us when you ask about veneers.

Porcelain has also changed a lot since Dr. Tatum started placing veneers. In her words, "the porcelain of today is just so much nicer. It can be thinner."

Will insurance help pay for porcelain veneers?

It depends on your plan, so ask your insurance company what it includes for veneers. Tatum Dentistry is a fee-for-service practice, which means we're not in any insurance network. If you have dental insurance, you're still welcome here, and we'll submit your claim to your insurance for you.

We accept cash, check, Venmo and Zelle (with a discount for those methods), all major credit cards, CareCredit monthly payment plans, and Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts. If a treatment plan feels like a stretch, talk to us. Our finances and insurance page has the details.

Why do Charleston patients choose Tatum Dentistry for porcelain veneers?

Dr. Vicki Tatum founded Tatum Dentistry in 1990, and Dr. Celeste Granger, DMD, joined her eight years ago. Dr. Tatum also knows veneers from the patient's side: she has porcelain veneers herself, and hers are 21 years old.

When it comes to choosing your shade, Dr. Tatum uses a simple, personal guide. In her words, "when we're trying to determine how white we can go for veneers or crowns, we look at the whites of their eyes. And typically, you can still look very natural as long as you do not go whiter than the whites of your eyes."

Patients often tell her they want white teeth, and in the next breath say they want their smile to look natural. Using the whites of your eyes as the reference point is how she aims for both, so your new smile is brighter and still looks like yours.

Want to know what porcelain veneers would cost for your smile? Call our Charleston dental office at 843-577-6453 or contact us online, and ask our team for an estimate.

Published by Tatum Dentistry.