How to Get the Best and Most Affordable Porcelain Veneers in Costa Rica

Usually the terms “best” and “affordable” don’t appear in the same sentence when describing porcelain veneers. Although, if you are visiting this piece of paradise for dental procedures, then you really can come away with the best and most affordable porcelain veneers in Costa Rica.

Care Overseas makes it possible. Read on to see how we can help you come away with high-quality, great-looking veneers while saving over 70%.

Cost of the Best Affordable Dental Veneers in Costa Rica

Because veneers are considered a cosmetic procedure, they are not frequently covered by insurance. This is one other reason patients are constantly on the lookout for a way to reduce tooth veneer costs.

According to the American Dental Association, you should anticipate paying between $925 to $2,500 per tooth for premium porcelain veneers in the United States and Canada.

The cheaper option is going with composite resin veneers, often referred to as “dental bonding.” This style typically ranges in price from $400 to $2,000 per tooth in the US and have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years.

Traditional veneers are frequently the most cost-effective solution in the long run.

Read on to see how the average cost of dental veneers in the USA compares to those of Costa Rica!

Costa Rica Veneers Prices vs. United States Veneers Prices

With rising dental care prices, even minor dental procedures can become prohibitively expensive in contrast to people’s wages. Consider porcelain veneers. These are fairly straightforward procedures, but they are hardly ever considered to be affordable — that is, unless you visit somewhere like Costa Rica.

You may not realize it, but the cost of living trickles down to virtually every aspect of an economy — and that includes the cost of porcelain veneers! According to the International Citizens website, the cost of living in Costa Rica is 26.5% less than in the United States. Plus, rent and housing are often 60% less in Costa Rica in comparison to the USA. What does this mean if you are planning a dental tourism visit to Costa Rica? It means that you are getting the same quality, but more affordable dental veneers.

In Costa Rica, a Veneer Can Cost Just $450 Per Tooth

In the United States, the cost of porcelain veneers ranges from $925 to $2,500 per tooth. In Costa Rica, the average cost of a dental veneer is just $450 per tooth.

Let’s say you are looking to just get veneers on the front teeth. For the sake of simplicity, let’s average that U.S. price range to $1,712 per tooth which would mean that getting veneers on the front teeth in the U.S. would cost you $10,272.

The same procedure in Costa Rica would only cost $2,700 (or $450 per tooth). That’s quite a price difference. Even if you add in the travel expenses and lodging, it’s still cheaper to head down to paradise and get your teeth fixed!

What about eMax and Zirconium Veneers?

Did you know there are better options than just porcelain and composite veneers? Comparatively, zirconia is stronger than eMax. Zirconia and eMax veneers are more durable than porcelain.

Because the material is less translucent, zirconia is considered to be the best alternative for repairing dark and stained teeth.

eMax veneers are also an excellent option, but they are more translucent than zirconia so they are not always a good option for stain-darkened teeth.

Zirconia, porcelain, and eMax veneers can all be tinted to the surrounding teeth, so only your cosmetic dentist will know you have veneers!

In the United States, the cost of a single eMax or zirconium veneer can range from $2,000 to $3,000 per tooth.

But, in Costa Rica, you can get the same quality and level of care for around $580 per tooth. With that kind of savings, you can really make the most out of your vacation in this tropical paradise.

Have a Question on Veneers in Costa Rica?

The Care Overseas team is here to answer all your questions related to getting porcelain veneers in Costa Rica. Contact us today!

Best Porcelain Veneers in Costa Rica

In the United States, dental veneers can be rather costly. Costa Rica, fortunately, provides high-quality, low-cost dental veneer options for a fraction of the cost. But, it can be difficult to research and find cosmetic dentists offering the best porcelain veneers in Costa Rica. That’s where Care Overseas comes in.

Care Overseas was founded to help patients connect with cosmetic dentists, periodontists, and oral surgeons in Costa Rica.

Dental veneers are a popular treatment option for people who have chipped teeth, misshapen, gapped, or crooked teeth. The purpose of porcelain veneers is to conceal the tooth and restore it to its preferred appearance.

Many of the patients that reach out to Care Overseas are concerned about the cost of dental care in their home countries. That is why — in addition to delivering high-quality service and care — we provide highly competitive rates.

What about the Quality of Care?

Saving money is great, but how does the quality of care in Costa Rica compare to the United States and Canada?

Dental tourism in Costa Rica has grown in popularity over the last two decades and has sky-rocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The country provides high-quality dental care at a lower cost, which makes it possible to get affordable porcelain veneers. Costa Rica has even addressed many of the problems that linger in the United States’ healthcare system by offering excellent quality at great rates.

All of the dentists referred by Care Overseas have been thoroughly evaluated by the Care Overseas team. A majority of the dentists we recommend were trained in the United States and all of them undergo the requirement of continuing education training to ensure they continue to deliver top-level patient care.

When you work with our team, you can be assured that you will receive the best dentist for veneers in Costa Rica.

How Reliable are Veneers?

A study published in the Journal of Dentistry found that the adhesive used in porcelain veneers is very strong and durable.

The perfect bond is one where the enamel is thoroughly prepared, the right adhesive treatment is used, and the right luting composite (another type of adhesive) is chosen.

According to the study, porcelain veneers can look great year after year, and patient satisfaction is very high. Also, porcelain veneers had no negative impact on the health of gums or overall dental health.

In Costa Rica, You Can Save Thousands on Veneers!

We’ve said this a lot and we’ll say it again. Who doesn’t love saving money with affordable veneers? One dental veneer might cost between $950 and $2500 per tooth in the United States.

As a result, many people seeking this cosmetic treatment go for dental veneers in Costa Rica. The typical cost of dental veneers in Costa Rica is roughly $450 per tooth.

This means, if you are wanting to have veneers applied to your most visible teeth, you can save anywhere from $5,400 to $24,000, all depending on the quality of materials chosen.

Wondering if porcelain veneers are right for you?

In a first-of-its-kind longitudinal study of how porcelain veneers performed over a 10-year period, the Journal of Dentistry published a study titled Porcelain veneers: a review of the literature.

In this study, the authors found that porcelain veneers did not cause any adverse effects in terms of periodontal or gingival health, which means that patients should not experience additional cavities or other complications stemming from porcelain veneer procedures.

The authors also noted that patient satisfaction was very high.

What are the Alternatives to Porcelain Veneer Treatment?

Want to improve your smile, but you’re undecided on porcelain veneers? There are alternatives to porcelain veneer treatment that you may be unaware of.

Let’s explore some of the most common options.

Dental bonding

Dental bonding is often indicated for patients who either have already-thin tooth enamel or they do not want to alter their teeth. W

ith dental bonding, the dentist can alter the appearance of the teeth by applying a composite resin material to the front surface of the teeth.

Dental bonding can even be used to repair chipped teeth. The bonding material can be custom-shaded, shaped, and polished to help them look as genuine as possible.

Many of the goals you are looking to achieve with veneers can be done with dental bonding.

But, there are some drawbacks to bonding. For one, unlike porcelain veneers, composite resin materials can stain, so you might want to limit your intake of coffee, pasta sauces, red wine, and other stain-causing foods and drinks.

One other important consideration is that dental bonding only lasts for approximately five to seven years, compared to the 15-year average of modern porcelain veneers.

Tooth whitening

Many patients choose porcelain veneers as they allow for tint-matching to the surrounding teeth. This is important when teeth are stained or discolored.

However, if the majority of your teeth are stained, having your teeth professionally whitened may be the best option.

Professionally teeth whitening is not only less intrusive, but also a less expensive and faster alternative to veneers.

Professional whitening works by chemically dissolving stain-causing chromophores that have become embedded in the pores of the tooth. (Yes, teeth actually have microscopic pores.)

Care Overseas can help you arrange professional teeth whitening in Costa Rica and at-home kits to keep your smile topped off.

But, keep in mind that teeth whitening works best in treating stains caused by external sources (foods, drinks, etc.).

Teeth stains caused by dental trauma, medications (doxycycline, tetracycline), or mottling due to over-fluoridated water sources may be best treated with veneers or dental bonding.

Dental crowns

Dental crowns are similar to veneers in that they can both help conceal flaws such as cracks or trauma to a patient’s teeth.

Like porcelain veneers, dental crowns are crafted from porcelain or zirconia, but unlike veneers, dental crowns cover the whole surface of the tooth up to the gum line.

Crowns can be a great option for those who have significant tooth damage that cannot be treated with porcelain veneers.

Getting dental crowns in Costa Rica can also help strengthen a compromised tooth, raising its structural integrity.

Keep in mind that to have a crown placed does mean that a significant portion of tooth enamel will need to be removed in order to accommodate the added thickness of the crown material.

Orthodontics

If you have the patience and the budget, orthodontics may be the preferred alternative to porcelain veneers.

This is especially true if your main smile complaint is having crooked or unevenly spaced teeth. Porcelain veneers may correct minor gaps and misalignments, but they cannot correct significantly crooked or misaligned teeth.

If you don’t like the appearance of metal braces, there are lots of metal brace alternatives available nowadays.

These include Invisalign®, lingual braces, and ceramic braces, which do a decent job of hiding the appearance of braces while getting the same orthodontic benefits.

While it is well recognized that veneers are an excellent and safe procedure for changing the appearance of your teeth, some people may find the expense of the treatment too expensive, if this is your case, contact us to save up to 70% on dental veneers by getting the procedure done in Costa Rica by one of our recommended dentists.

How Much Do Front Teeth Veneers Cost?

How much do front teeth veneers cost? The easy answer? It all depends. The material used is the most evident cost influencer.

In the United States, porcelain veneers cost an average of $925-$2,500 per tooth and have a lifespan of roughly 10-15 years.

No-prep veneers are less expensive, ranging from $800 to $1,800 per tooth, but they only last approximately 5-7 years, so regular veneers are definitely a better long-term investment.

Typically, front teeth veneers cost less than, say, premolar veneers. The reason for this is that the front teeth are more accessible and have fewer grooves and features that would otherwise add time to the fabrication process, which also increases the cost.

Best (Direct & Indirect) Composite Resin Veneers in Costa Rica

Have you ever heard the terms direct and indirect composite resin veneers and wondered what they meant? Let’s break it down.

Direct Veneers

Direct veneers are placed on the front of teeth using a resin that matches the shade of your natural teeth.

Additional resin layers may be required to correct the length and shape. Before being hardened with a UV-curing light, the material will be sculpted.

After the composite material has hardened, it will be examined for bite and placement before receiving a final polish.

Direct veneers are less strong than indirect veneers, but they do leave natural tooth enamel intact.

Indirect Veneers

Indirect veneers are typically crafted from porcelain, eMax (compressed ceramic porcelain), or zirconium.

This style is considered to be a more invasive type of treatment since some enamel material will need to be shaved from the tooth surface in order to accommodate the added thickness of the veneer.

After some tooth material has been removed, a mold (impression) is then taken of your teeth.

This mold will serve to create your new veneers. Since this is a multi-step process, many patients leave their first appointment wearing temporary veneers.

Indirect veneers are stronger than direct veneers, but they do require the removal of tooth enamel, which means that you will need to replace veneers at some point in the future in order to minimize tooth sensitivity and retain the appearance of your smile.

It’s worth noting that there is also a technique known as ”direct-indirect composite veneers” that was developed in the 1990s.

This technique was established as a way to heat-temper composite veneers.

With the direct–indirect approach, the attending physician applies a light-cured composite material directly to the tooth.

This is done without the addition of any adhesives or luting compounds (at first).

The great thing about this process is that shade options remain largely similar, while the layering process helps retain a natural appearance.

The composite material is then molded and cured using a specialized light wand.

At this point, the restoration is partially polymerized. This means it can be safely removed from the surface of the tooth.

The dentist will let you check out the shade and appearance of the tooth. If everything looks great the veneer is then bonded to the preparation with a resin-based luting compound.

What are Composite Resin Veneers Prices in Costa Rica?

Due to the low cost of porcelain veneers in Costa Rica, most opt for that procedure, but if you are looking to extend the savings even further, you may want to look at composite resin veneers.

In the United States, the average cost of composite resin veneers is right around $400 per tooth. In comparison, composite resin veneers prices in Costa Rica are roughly $200 per tooth.

Therefore, if you have composites placed on eight teeth, that could result in over $1,600 in savings.

Zirconium Veneers in Costa Rica

To suit the patients’ desire to have natural and esthetically pleasing restorations, several types of metal-free ceramics have been produced.

Zirconia has been utilized effectively as a dental biomaterial in recent years. Zirconia is biocompatible and features high mechanical properties.

Owing to its higher opacity, zirconia cores are typically coated with ceramic veneers. While this ceramic coating helps to create a more natural appearance, this does make it a more intricate process in order to avoid chipping due to the disparate thermal expansion properties of the two materials.

Full-contour zirconia restorations are becoming more popular as an alternative to porcelain veneers. A few benefits of going with zirconium veneers include the following:

Improved durability and strength
Natural hypoallergenic properties
Enhanced stain resistance
Preservation of more natural tooth material
Less tooth sensitivity to temperature changes
Easy to modify
Fast turnaround times

If you are curious about getting zirconium veneers in Costa Rica, talk to the Care Overseas team. We can help you to evaluate your options.

What Happens to Teeth Underneath Dental Veneers?

While the outside appearance of dental veneers are fantastic, you may be wondering what happens to teeth underneath dental veneers. Let’s explore the science of this type of cosmetic dental enhancement.

Here’s some good news. Veneers do not contribute to tooth decay or cavities.

That being said, plaque and tartar can still find their way below your veneers, which means they may ultimately develop microscopic cavities below the veneer if you do not practice proper oral hygiene.

You must maintain proper oral hygiene when wearing veneers.

This includes following all post-procedure guidelines and brushing at least twice a day with a non-abrasive toothpaste after having the veneers placed.

You must also commit to flossing at least once daily, preferably before bed.

You should also attend regular dental check-ups and cleanings. Most dentists recommend attending check-ups and cleanings at least twice per year.

What’s it Like to Get Affordable Veneers in Costa Rica with Care Overseas?

Dental veneers make it reasonably easy to transform crooked, discolored, and cracked teeth. In Costa Rica, you can save thousands of dollars on veneers.

This is more than enough to justify getting a plane ticket and lodging (while still leaving some cash left over for sightseeing). With Care Overseas, getting affordable veneers in Costa Rica couldn’t be easier.

Care Overseas quality checks our dentists to ensure your dental veneers will be of the same excellent quality you would expect to find in the United States and Canada.

Furthermore, all of our dentists provide a warranty on their work as well as work done in the lab.

Our finest clinics employ the same well-known brands and materials that are used in laboratories around the country, such as eMax porcelain veneers.

Many of our dentists received their training in the United States and are members of the American Dental Association.

Booking an appointment through Care Overseas guarantees you will get dental treatment from a quality-checked dentist.

This gives you peace of mind in knowing that your dentist and clinic have been validated and that the quality of operations and lab work are always top-notch.

Learn more about how Care Overseas does the work for you and our process of pre-selecting the best dentists and dental clinics in Costa Rica so that you don’t have to do the research, plus we have the added bonus that we are local experts and we go to these same clinics that we recommend to you.

What Should I Consider Before Getting Costa Rica Dental Veneers?

Having porcelain veneers placed is a multi-step process that usually takes several visits over the course of a week or two.

Your procedure will begin with an initial examination and consultation. Your local dentist can perform these initial steps, or you can opt to have them performed while in Costa Rica.

Your dentist will examine your smile, assess whether you are a good candidate, and discuss the next steps.

It’s important to note that if the dentist finds that you need fillings or other extensive work performed, these should be addressed before you will be considered for dental veneers.

At your next appointment, the front of your teeth will be prepared by shaving a very thin layer of enamel (less than the thickness of your fingernail) away.

They will then take an impression of your teeth and construct a pair of temporary veneers for you to wear until your permanent veneers arrive from the lab.

This trial period allows you to determine if you want to change the color or form of your new teeth (it’s essentially a tryout for your new smile).

Finally, you will return to your dentist to have your final porcelain veneers placed.

After the temporary veneers are removed, your teeth will be cleaned and then coated with a bonding cement. Your permanent veneers will then be placed and you will have the opportunity to show off your new smile!

It’s worth mentioning that you should not attempt “at home veneers.” Cementing anything onto your teeth without proper examination and procedures places your dental health at risk and will most likely increase your dental-related costs over time.

How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?

According to a study titled, Clinical Performance of Porcelain Laminate Veneers for Up to 20 Years, the study’s authors found that 93% of porcelain veneers placed on the anterior (front teeth) lasted more than five years.

Amazingly, they also found that after 20 years, over 82% of the study’s participants were still in perfect shape after 20 years.

While these figures are impressive, it also shows that it’s important to go with a quality dental veneer center and one that uses quality materials. Care Overseas can help!

Have a Question on Getting Porcelain Veneers in Costa Rica?

Curious about finding the best teeth veneers in Costa Rica? Want an estimate on how much your smile-enhancing vacation will cost? Contact Care Overseas for a one-on-one consultation. We would be happy to answer your questions!

What are the Best (and most Affordable) Porcelain Veneers in Costa Rica?

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