If you're looking for an affordable and fast way to fix your smile, you may be considering snap-on dental veneers. These fake teeth veneers can be ordered online and clipped on right over your natural teeth, hiding any stains, chips, or shape irregularities.
But are snap-on veneers safe? Should you get them? And what are the alternatives?
In this article, we cover all that and more, including:
- Clip-on veneers cost
- Clip-on veneers reviews
- Real dentists' opinions and advice
- Alternatives to snap-on veneers
We hope this article helps you on your journey to getting a healthier and more beautiful smile.
Table of contents
What are snap-on veneers?
Snap-on dental veneers, also called “clip-on veneers” and “pop-on veneers” actually date back to 1928, an invention by Hollywood aesthetic dentist Charles Pincus.
These veneers are fake teeth that snap on over your actual teeth with the goal of improving the dental aesthetics of your smile. People who use snap-on false teeth do so to hide imperfections like stains, cracks and chips, and sometimes even to hide a missing tooth.
How do clip-on veneers work?
Most clip-on veneers are like mouthguards that fit over the top of your natural teeth. They should be taken out whenever you don't need them, like at night or when you eat or drink as well. Fake clip-on teeth can generally be divided into three categories: customized temporary tooth veneers, DIY veneers, and universal clip-on. Although some dentists may offer snap-on veneer services as well.
Customized veneers
Some snap-on veneer companies attempt to provide a more customized service. In these cases, there are generally three steps to getting your fake veneers:
- Order: Order your snap-on teeth impression kit from an online vendor
- Impressions: You'll take molds of your teeth at home, and then send the kit back to the company
- Making your veneers: The company will use the molds to make custom veneers for your teeth and then send them back to you in the mail
One of the better-known brands of this type of snap-on teeth veneer is made by Instasmile clip-on veneers, and while we don't necessarily recommend this brand, we do have a full review that you can read to learn more. TruSmile veneers are similar.
DIY veneers kit
These DIY dental veneers are still slightly customizable, but faster, cheaper and less effective even than the first option. For these do-it-yourself, snap-on teeth veneers the steps are typically:
- Order: Order your snap-on teeth online
- Fitting: You create your own custom-fittin veneers by heating them in hot water to soften the plastic, and then applying the teeth over your natural teeth while they are still soft.
- Harden: Let your Snap-on veneers harden over your teeth.
Pre-made veneers
This is the most affordable option available—you simply order a standard set of cheap clip-on veneers online and hope that they fit your teeth.
How much are pop-on veneers?
Your pop-on veneers cost will depend on the kind you get—customizable will typically be more expensive than the kind you can buy already made. Customizable pop-on veneers cost from $100 to $600, the kind that you mold to your teeth at home can cost around $30, and the pre-made kind of snap-on teeth cost you less than $10 in some cases.
Are snap-on veneers safe?
Not really. Clip-on veneers are no replacement for professional dental work. They are simply a band-aid that can only be used for short periods of time to cover up aesthetic imperfections in your smile. And while that may sound harmless, it's not if you use these veneers to cover up problems like chips, cracks, decay, or missing teeth instead of seeking professional care.
Additionally, these veneers may even cause additional harm to your teeth by exerting too much pressure, or rubbing against your gums and accelerating the deterioration of a receding gumline. Also, when worn too long, food and bacteria can get trapped between the veneers and your teeth, leading to decay.
Clip-on veneers reviews
Let's have a look at some clip-on veneer reviews to see what real patients have to say.
Here is a review from Anne who has been using snap-on smile veneers for months and noticed good changes. One of the insecurities that she had was her teeth. She could not afford implants and suffered from different teeth problems. Even though she had her doubts about snap-on veneers, she gave it a try and now loves the result. She has now gained her confidence back after trying snap-on veneers and loves her smile because her teeth look natural.
In this next review, Leilani shows off her Shiny Smile Veneers, which is a brand where you order your impression kit to make molds of your teeth, and then Shiny Smile makes your veneers for you. These veneers cost $570, so it's actually quite an expensive option.
Watch the video for the whole review—you'll see that Leilani isn't totally happy with her veneers, even though it's the second set she ordered, as her first set didn't work at all. With Shiny Smile, you do get three tries to get veneers you are happy with, so hopefully, she'll get them on the third re-do.
What are dentists saying about clip-on veneers?
Dr. Chrystle Cu, DDS says, “As a dentist, I'm not a fan of snap-on veneers at all!” She goes on to explain that these veneers rarely fit well and can irritate your gums and your oral mucosa. Clip-on veneers can also make your bite feel off and cause jaw pain with prolonged use. And as we mentioned before, they can increase the risk of developing decay.
Dr. Greg Grillo understands the desire to want a perfect smile that gives you confidence, but he cautions that,
“If a patient purchases a set online, the product may not reflect the right size, color, texture, and proportions that blend with the unique facial characteristics of each person.”
Dr. Greg Grillo
So in other words, when you order veneers online, they probably won't look like your real teeth. He does acknowledge that they may provide some short-term benefits for patients who aren't ready to commit to permanent veneers.
Just like Dr. Cu mentions unlike permanent veneers, which leave no space between the tooth and the veneers, these snap-on teeth veneers can trap bacteria and plaque along the edges that can cause gum inflammation and tooth decay. If you are intent on getting clip-on smile teeth veneers, he recommends visiting a dentist who can make you a custom set, at a lower cost than regular veneers, but with at least some professional supervision.
Dr. April Patterson has a slightly different opinion when it comes to fake snap-on teeth veneers. She says
“I personally think that they are a great—very temporary—option for someone who is missing front teeth, or has damaged or broken front teeth.”
Dr. April Patterson
She recognizes that it's hard to operate in our society with a sub-par smile. She does caution, however, that it's essential to maintain good oral hygiene and remove and thoroughly clean your temporary veneers every night, and she stresses that this is only a temporary fix.
She recommends that patients try to get real permanent veneers and that if they can't afford them, they consider third-party financing like dental loans or care credit, or save up the money over time.
Alternatives to snap-on veneers
The best alternative to clip-on teeth veneers is a trip to the dentist to deal with any oral health problems you may have and then follow your dentist's care recommendations. This could mean getting actual permanent veneers, or in more severe cases, tooth extractions and implants.
Dr. Cu says that in many cases, you can get a brighter, broader smile with orthodontic treatment and teeth whitening—she specifically recommends Invisalign. Dr. Greg Grillo also recommends permanent options for improving your smile, like orthodontic treatment, reshaping, or whitening.
You may also want to consider actual veneers. While the highest quality veneers are made from porcelain, you can also get composite bonded veneers that will still look great for a much lower price.
The veneer price will vary depending on the material. For example, the cost of porcelain veneers is higher than composite because of the labor involved and its longevity.
Have a look at the table below for a quick comparison of some of the best alternatives:
Treatment | Purpose | Cost |
Dental implants | Replace missing teeth | $1,000-$6,000 (per implant) |
Porcelain veneers | Shapen and whiten natural teeth | $500-$2,500 (per tooth) |
Composite veneers | Shapen and whiten natural teeth | 4250-$1,200 (per tooth) |
Orthodontic treatment | Straighten natural teeth | $1,145-$8,500 |
Whitening | Whiten natural teeth | $650-$1,000 (in-office) |
Other options you may want to consider are dentures or going abroad for your veneers to a trustworthy clinic, which you can read more about in our dental tourism guide.
Snap-on veneers near me
One of the conveniences that snap-on veneers offer is that you don't actually need to find a dentist near you who offers them since you can get them directly online.
Keep in mind that snap-on veneers are only a temporary fix, and you should find a dentist who offers real veneers or other restorative services that you might need.
To find a restorative or cosmetic dentist near you, call 866-383-0748. You'll be connected with a live operator who will put you through to a quality dentist in your area.
Conclusion
Cheap snap-on teeth veneers are marketed as a fast and affordable way to fix your smile. There are a variety of brands that offer them, with prices ranging from less than $10, all the way up to $600. Some come pre-formed, and others are custom-made to fit your teeth.
While this may sound like a convenient way to get a perfect smile, the reality is that clip-on dental veneers seldom fit correctly and may even cause further damage to your teeth and mouth. Dentists on the whole recommend orthodontic treatment, whitening, or real permanent veneers instead of these temporary teeth veneers, and if you have missing teeth, the best solution is to get an implant to replace the entire root and tooth.
If you need help financing dental treatment, have a look at our dental financing article so you can get the actual treatment you need from dental professionals.
FAQs
Can you eat with snap-on veneers?
You can eat with snap-on veneers but it depends on the kind of clip-on veneers you get. For snap-on teeth you can eat with, you'll need to get them from a dentist. They use high-quality materials and customize them to fit your teeth. This means you may be able to eat with them (although you should always follow your dentist's directions). If you buy your cosmetic snap-on teeth premade, or you mold them to your teeth at home, then chances are that these are not snap-on veneers you can eat with, and you'll need to take them out to eat or drink.
What do temporary veneers look like?
The look of your snap-on teeth will depend on the quality you get. Premade temporary dental veneers that you buy online probably won't look much like your natural teeth. If you get a customized set from your dentist, it will be more difficult for people to tell you're wearing snap-on false teeth, than it would with a do-it-yourself veneers kit. However, only real permanent veneers or implants can truly be made to look flawlessly real—aside from your actual natural teeth of course. We recommend straightening and whitening treatments to improve the teeth you have before you buy snap-on teeth online.
What are the best snap-on veneers?
The best snap-on veneers will be those you get from your dentist. Some dentists offer to make snap-on veneers customized to your teeth. That being said, an even better option than the best clip-on veneers are real, permanent veneers, or a combination of orthodontic treatment and teeth whitening to get the smile you want.
Theatlantic.com: Why does everyone suddenly have fancy fake teeth? Consulted 17th January 2021.