Veneers: front surface, not a new tooth

The short answer

Veneers are custom-made coverings for the front surface of a tooth, not the whole tooth [S1]. The two main types are porcelain and composite [S1]. Placing them is not reversible, because enamel is removed [S1]. Whether they suit your teeth is a licensed dentist's call after an exam. This page can't make it.

What this is and is not

A veneer is not a crown. A crown covers the entire tooth structure; a veneer covers only the front surface [S1]. It's also not a new tooth. National.

What actually changes the decision

Porcelain or composite. Composite veneers may need less enamel removed and fewer visits [S1]. Porcelain tends to be the more expensive option [S1]. National.
Can't be undone. Enamel removed for a veneer doesn't come back [S1]. National.
Health first. Placing veneers over unhealthy teeth may worsen existing problems [S1]. National.
Grinding and bite. If you clench or grind, or have a deep overbite, veneers may not be a good choice [S1]. Severe grinding can damage teeth [S2]. National.
Upkeep. A veneer may chip, crack, wear down or loosen over time and need re-bonding, repair or replacement [S1]. National.
Who places them. The ADA has urged caution about "veneer technician" services that leave out the dentist, and lists risks including nerve damage and choking hazards during placement [S3]. National. In Florida, placing a structure in the mouth is part of the legal definition of dentistry [S4], and practicing dentistry without an appropriate, active Florida license is prohibited [S5]. Florida.
Lab work. Dental laboratory technicians and businesses are generally not licensed, according to the ADA [S3]. National.

What it tends to cost in Miami / South Florida

There is no clean public range. We found no dated Miami or Florida veneer price from a source we can cite [S6]. What moves the price (material, coverage, upkeep) is on What changes the price. Veneers are considered cosmetic, so insurance may not cover them unless deemed medically necessary [S1]. National.

Questions to ask a licensed dentist

Are my teeth and gums healthy enough for veneers, or does something need treating first?
Porcelain or composite for me, and why?
How much enamel would be removed?
Does my grinding or bite rule veneers out?
If a veneer chips or loosens, what happens and who pays?
Who makes the veneers, and where?
Are you licensed in Florida? (You can check yourself on the state's License Verification lookup [S7].)

Take these to a licensed dentist. Only a dentist who examines you can tell you whether veneers suit your teeth.

Sources and review date

Reviewed 2026-11-01.

[S1] ADA MouthHealthy, "Veneers", https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/veneers. Retrieved 2026-11-01. National.
[S2] NIDCR, "Bruxism", https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/bruxism. Retrieved 2026-11-01. National.
[S3] American Dental Association, "Statement on Recent Reports of 'Veneer Technicians'" (May 14, 2024), https://www.ada.org/about/press-releases/statement-on-recent-reports-of-veneer-technicians. Retrieved 2026-11-01. National.
[S4] Florida Statutes s. 466.003, "Definitions" (2026), https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0466/Sections/0466.003.html. Retrieved 2026-11-01. Florida.
[S5] Florida Statutes s. 466.026, "Prohibitions; penalties" (2026), https://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0466/Sections/0466.026.html. Retrieved 2026-11-01. Florida.
[S6] ADA Health Policy Institute, "The Dental Care Market", https://www.ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute/dental-care-market. Retrieved 2026-11-01. National.
[S7] Florida Department of Health, MQA Search Services, https://mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us/MQASearchServices/Home. Retrieved 2026-11-01. Florida.