Veneers
Composite veneers - conservative smile upgrades
Composite veneers for New Zealand patients - less enamel removal, faster treatment, and lower cost than porcelain at Picasso Dental Clinic.
Composite veneers at Picasso Dental Clinic require less tooth preparation than porcelain, cost less in NZD per tooth, and suit New Zealand patients wanting a faster or more conservative smile upgrade - with a shorter lifespan of roughly 5–7 years.
Composite veneers are hand-layered resin bonded to the tooth surface. They are a legitimate option - not a “budget Turkey teeth” shortcut - when the clinical goal is small and you want to preserve enamel.
Best use cases for Kiwi patients
- Minor shape or length fixes on front teeth
- Closing small gaps without orthodontics
- Trial aesthetics before committing to porcelain
- Patients who cannot stay in Vietnam long enough for full lab porcelain
Honest limitations
| Composite | Porcelain |
|---|---|
| ~5–7 year typical lifespan | ~10–15 years |
| More staining over time | Better colour stability |
| Repairs easier, re-polish | Chip repair may need lab |
| Lower NZD per tooth | Higher upfront, better longevity |
Cost note for New Zealand patients
Composite costs less per tooth than porcelain veneers, but flight cost dominates for a single tooth. Rule of thumb from our cost guides: dental tourism only makes financial sense above roughly NZD 4,000 of treatment unless you are already travelling.
See NZ vs Vietnam veneer costs and /pricing/.
Clinical approach at Picasso
Even composite cases receive photography, shade agreement, and documented consent - the same discipline as Portrait Sitting porcelain cases, without over-promising durability.
Next steps
- Full smile plan to Porcelain veneers or Smile makeover
- Records to Free NZD quote
- Safety to Is it safe?