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What Is The Cost Of Veneers In Singapore? (2025)

Dental Designs Clinic Singapore

25 Jan, 2024

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Have you ever looked at a picture of a Hollywood star and thought to yourself, “I wish I had teeth like that.”  Well, your dream of having straight, healthy pearly whites is possible – dentistry has come a long way in helping us to achieve that. This comes in the form of dental veneers. Studies have shown that their use have become increasingly popular due to reliability and compatibility1.

But questions about their longevity, maintenance, etc. remain to stay in the minds of patients. Most importantly, are there subsidies for this treatment in Singapore? Let’s find out!


What are dental veneers?dental veneers

Dental veneer is thin shell made of either porcelain/ceramic or resin composite materials, which is cemented to your natural tooth to improve its appearance. Aesthetics aside, it can also protects your tooth from damage. 

If this procedure is suitable for you, you can have your perfect smile made in just a few days, lasting anywhere from 10-15 years. There are two main types available based on materials: porcelain/ceramic and composite resin.

 

Porcelain/ceramic

As its name suggests, these are made of porcelain and they are permanently adhered to your natural teeth. They may be fabricated in either of two ways.

1) CAD/CAM 3-D Milled: They are individually milled from hardened blanks of porcelain, offering a balance of durability and esthetics.

2) Pressed: High strength porcelain is pressed into a mold under high heat and pressure. Pressed ones can be made in thinner sections to conform to the tooth, and are suitable for cases which require less tooth to be drilled.

They are then stained and glazed by hand to match neighboring natural teeth and give them life-like esthetics.

The milled or pressed ones have the option to be layered with multiple porcelain layers, to further enhance its colour for a better match to natural teeth.

Porcelain ones are the more popular choice as they are able to replicate the light reflecting properties of natural teeth2. They also maintain a smooth surface texture over time compared to resin composite ones. Therefore, they look closer to natural teeth than any other materials.

Composite resin

There are two main types of them:

1) Direct composite resin: They are built up directly onto the tooth and may be completed in a single appointment to restore minor areas of concern.

2) Indirect composite resin: They are customised and made in a dental laboratory before they are fitted onto the teeth, hence requiring multiple appointments.

Composite resin ones have a similar appearance to teeth at first glance. They tend to be more monochromatic and can work well if the natural teeth have a mostly uniform colour.

Both types of composite resin ones are reversible and so are a popular choice for individuals who wish to maintain the original structure of their natural tooth3. As the composite resin material deteriorates over time, maintenance and replacement must be kept in mind.

Do note that removal of these composite materials can slightly damage the surface of your natural teeth.

 

Related Articles

 

Am I a suitable candidate for dental veneer?

what can veneers correct

It can be used to cover up a multitude of issues, allowing you to have a superstar smile. In Singapore, these are usually used for the following issues:

  • Discoloured or stained teeth that cannot be whitened by conventional teeth whitening
  • Slightly misaligned teeth
  • Fractured, worn, or broken teeth
  • Different sized teeth
  • Small gaps between teeth 
  • Tooth discoloured by root canal treatment

Overall, they are a good option as they are long-lasting and provide good aesthetic outcomes4.

While some individuals are well-suited for this treatment, there are some who are not a good match. If you have the following issues, the outcome may not be as per expectation:

  • Poor oral hygiene, such as gum disease
  • High Tooth decay risk
  • Grinding your teeth (bruxism) — This however, can be mitigated by wearing a nightguard to reduce grinding forces while asleep.
  • Cracked teeth that need stronger support such as dental crowns
  • Severely damanged teeth which need replacement such as with dental implants
  • Crooked teeth — In slightly malaligned teeth, a veneer can be used to straighten teeth and give a more uniform smile. However, in severely crooked teeth, these might be too damaging to your teeth due to an increase in the amount of tooth structure needed to be removed. Therefore, in these situations, we usually suggest straightening your teeth first (such as Invisalign or braces) prior to this treatment being done.

     

Process of getting dental veneers in Singaporeprocess of getting veneers regular process of getting veneers express

1) Consultation

  • After a thorough examination (to ensure that there are no underlying issues), 3D scans and x-rays are conducted to help in the creation of your new smile
  • Together with your dentist, you will decide on the best type, shape and shade of veneer
  • This initial consultation is very important as our dentists work to understand your preferences and concerns

2) Preparation

  • The surface layer is polished down to accommodate the thickness (0.5mm on average) to avoid having a protruding or bulky appearance.
  • Some patients may not require their teeth to be filed down as they are suitable for no-prep ones (these allow for the porcelain to be bonded directly onto the teeth without having to file them down). These will tend to have a bulkier appearance on close examination with more lip support which may be desirable in individuals with low or thin lips.

3) Smile trial

  • A temporary set is made as a practice run to see if it suits your expectations and esthetics
  • After a week with your temporary set, you will provide feedback and if only minor changes are required, then we can continue with bonding your permanent ones
  • If major changes are required, another set of temporary ones will be made
  • This process repeats until you are satisfied with your new set

4) Bonding time

  • Your permanent set is ready but before they are bonded, you will try them on to make sure you are satisfied
  • Once you are happy, the permanent set is bonded to your teeth

5) Review

  • After a week, we will review your bite, stability of your set, and check on how comfortable you are with your new ones. 
 image (3)-2

Are dental veneers any good?

As with all procedures, it is important to know the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision. It is important to note that the amount of tooth structure needed to be reduced is dependent on a number of factors. These factors include:

  1. The underlying tooth colour that we need to mask and the desired final tooth colour
  2. The position of your tooth in relation to your desired smile curve
  3. The quality of tooth structure present
  4. The presence of entire tooth decay or dental fillings
  5. The need for additional lip support
  6. The material properties such as the minimum thickness requirements

Should there be excessive tooth reduction, it may cause teeth to be sensitive and may lead to root canal treatment in very severe cases. This is extremely rare.

 

Porcelain veneers Composite resin veneers

Pros:

  • Stain resistant
  • Natural looking; catches light similarly to the way a natural tooth does
  • Usually lasts for 10 to 15 years. Studies have shown that porcelain ones can even last more than 30 years!
  • Durable
  • Aesthetics remain great for throughout the years
  • Reinforces tooth structure in broken down teeth
  • Textures are very similar to natural teeth
  • Good gum health due to excellent fitting

Pros:

  • Reversible
  • Does not require too much alteration of your natural teeth
  • Can be repaired if chipped or damaged
  • If well-maintained, can last for 4 to 8 years

Cons:

  • If damaged or chipped, they must be replaced as they cannot be repaired
  • Cost of veneers made of porcelain is high
  • Longer process than composite resin ones

Cons:

  • Can be stained like your natural teeth
  • Not as durable as porcelain ones
  • Looks dull over time which might require replacement, repolishing or repairing
  • Might not fit your tooth well – resulting in poor gum health

 

What are the cost of veneers in Singapore?

Different Types

Cost of Veneers (per tooth)

Porcelain

$1962

a) Pressed (Add-on)

+$436

b) Layered (Add-on)

+$436

Composite resin

$434.91 - $599.50

*The prices are inclusive of 9% GST. These are rough ballpark figures, prices vary depending on complexity. Please speak to our friendly staff for more information.

 

What affects the cost of veneers?

Ultimately, the cost of veneers will depend on various factors, which are listed below.

The complexity of your condition: Before you can be considered for this treatment, your mouth and teeth will be examined to check for any underlying problems – if you do have some issues, they will have to be treated first before these can be fitted.

The material of your veneer: The cost of veneers made of porcelain is more than composite ones. However, keep in mind that porcelain ones last significantly longer and look the closest to natural teeth.

The clinic you go to: The cost of getting these fitted may vary across clinics, depending on factors like the dentist’s credentials, experience and clinic’s waiting time. Keep in mind the performing dentist’s track record and always ask for before/after photos.

 

Are dental veneers MediSave claimable?

These are not MediSave claimable as only dental work that requires surgery can be claimed from your MediSave. Hence, you cannot utilise this option to cover for your cost of veneers.

 

Are there cheaper alternatives to veneers?

If these are too expensive for you, depending on your goals and condition, you may consider alternatives like teeth whitening or Invisalign. Many patients have described them to be “worth it” and that the benefits greatly outweigh the cost of veneers in Singapore. On top of that, these can last at least 10 years – this reduces the hassle of getting frequent dental work done.

Consider them a long term investment in your smile. Any questions? Please drop us a message! Read more on Dental Veneers.

 

References

  1. Dental veneers. (2020, July 20). Retrieved from WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/veneers#1 
  2. El-Mowafy, O., El-Aawar, N., & El-Mowafy, N. (2018). Porcelain veneers: An update. Dental and medical problems, 55(2), 207–211. https://doi.org/10.17219/dmp/90729 
  3. Nalbandian, S., & Millar, B. J. (2009). The effect of veneers on cosmetic improvement. British dental journal, 207(2), E3–73. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2009.609 
  4. Alothman, Y., & Bamasoud, M. S. (2018). The Success of Dental Veneers According To Preparation Design and Material Type. Open access Macedonian journal of medical sciences, 6(12), 2402–2408. https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2018.353