Veneers — thin shells bonded to the front surface of the teeth — are among the most in-demand cosmetic dental procedures for their ability to completely transform a patient’s smile. But the cost of a veneer procedure, often ranging from hundreds to thousands per tooth, can be a significant barrier to treatment. For dental practices, offering flexible financing is key to making veneers accessible and increasing case acceptance.

Understanding the full range of financing options available and how to implement them effectively can help practices support more patients, streamline collections, and enhance the overall patient experience.

Why Veneer Financing Matters: The High Cost of Veneers

The average cost of dental veneers varies based on the type of veneer (e.g., porcelain veneers, composite veneers, Lumineers), the number of veneers needed, additional dental work — such as x-rays, fillings, dental crowns, or gum contouring — and even geographic location.

Here’s a quick look at the average cost:

• Porcelain Veneers: $1,200 – $2,500 per tooth
• Composite Veneers: $600 – $1,200 per tooth
• Lumineers: $800 – $2,000 per tooth

This means a full mouth or full set of veneers could cost between $10,000 and $30,000. That’s where financing plans become essential.

Because the procedure is typically considered cosmetic, most insurance providers don’t cover it. Patients are often left to cover the total cost out-of-pocket, which can quickly add up — especially for a full set of veneers.

Offering patient financing plans allows your practice to:

• Improve access to cosmetic treatment
• Increase acceptance of higher-ticket dental procedures
• Provide a better experience for patients seeking a smile makeover

Patient Financing Options: What Dental Practices Can Offer

There are two general categories of payment plans that dental practices can offer for veneers:

1. In-House Payment Plans

Some dental practices offer in-house payment plans, allowing patients to divide the cost of veneers into smaller installments managed directly by the office. This approach gives practices full control over terms and can help build patient loyalty by offering flexible, personalized options — especially for long-term or high-trust patients. Typically, a portion is paid upfront, with the remainder spread over a short period.

On the other hand, in-house financing also comes with challenges. It requires staff to manage billing, send reminders, run marketing campaigns, and follow up on missed payments — adding administrative burden and financial risk. If a patient defaults, the practice absorbs the loss. While in-house plans can be effective in select cases, many practices prefer third-party financing companies that reduce risk and simplify the process.

2. Third-Party Payment Plans

For businesses that don’t want to manage payment plans in-house, third-party financing companies offer fast, reliable solutions so the practice can focus on providing high-quality dental care. These providers pay your practice upfront and handle patient repayment. Three of the most popular options include:

• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Lenders (Example: Cherry): Designed for speed and simplicity, BNPL platforms offer instant approvals with a soft credit check, flexible monthly payments, and seamless checkout — ideal for cosmetic dental procedures like veneers. They’re easier to implement, accessible to more patients, and create a modern, low-friction financing experience.
• Traditional Healthcare Credit Cards (Example: CareCredit): These revolving credit lines are familiar to some patients and may include promotional offers, but they require a hard credit check, have stricter approval criteria, and can carry high interest rates if not paid within the promo period.
• Medical Loan Providers (Example: LendingClub): Fixed-term medical loans are well-suited for large cases or bundled dental treatments, but they involve longer applications, higher credit standards, and may include origination fees or interest depending on the patient’s credit profile.

How Veneer Payment Plans Work

Whether the practice offers in-house payment plans or is partnering with a third-party financing company, the overall process for providing veneer financing typically includes these steps:

1. The Practice Presents the Treatment Plan

The practice begins by reviewing the patient’s proposed veneer procedure, including the type of veneer, number of teeth, and any related dental procedures (such as x-rays, whitening, or gum contouring). The patient should receive a clear breakdown of the total cost.

2. The Patient and Practice Discuss Financing Options

The practice and patient will discuss one or more payment options, such as an internal installment plan or a third-party lender. They’ll outline key terms, including any required down payment, interest rates, and monthly payments.

3. The Patient Applies or Enrolls

For third-party financing, the patient submits an application — undergoing a credit check and an evaluation by either the practice or the third-party partner. For in-house plans, the dental office records the agreement and sets up a payment schedule.

4. The Practice is Paid Upfront

With third-party financing, the office is paid upfront, and the lender assumes responsibility for collecting payments. With an in-house plan, on the other hand, the dental team must track payments and follow up on any delinquencies.

5. Treatment Begins

Once financing is secured, the practice can proceed with scheduling and performing the veneer treatment, including any necessary prep or future dental check-ups.

6. The Patient Repays Over Time

The patient makes regular monthly payments to the lender or directly to the dental office, depending on the financing method. Repayment timelines vary based on the plan terms, credit score, and payment schedule.

What Patients Look for in a Veneer Payment Plan

1. Affordable Monthly Payments: Patients want low, manageable monthly installments that fit their budget, especially for high-cost procedures like veneers.
2. 0% APR or Low Interest Rates: Interest-free financing is a major plus. If interest is charged, patients prefer simple interest (not compounding) with low, fixed rates and clear terms.
3. No or Low Down Payment: Many patients want to start treatment without a large upfront cost. Payment plans with no or minimal down payments are more appealing.
4. Quick and Easy Approval Process: A streamlined application that offers fast decisions — ideally without a hard credit check (which hurts the applicant’s credit score) — is preferred.
5. Flexible Terms: Options to choose from short- or long-term plans (e.g., 6, 12, or 24 months) help patients find what works best for their finances.
6. No Hidden Fees: Transparency is critical. Patients want to know exactly what they’ll pay, with no surprises like origination fees, prepayment penalties, or deferred interest charges.
7. Early Payoff Options: The ability to pay off the balance early without additional fees is a big plus for those who might come into extra funds.
8. Inclusive Coverage: Patients want to ensure the plan covers the full cost of treatment, including all veneers, consultations, and follow-ups if possible.
9. High Approval Rates: Those with less-than-perfect credit look for providers that offer flexible approval requirements or no-credit-check options.
10. Instant funding: If approved, patients can use funds immediately and check out instead of waiting days to receive the funds, which delays treatment.
11. Trusted Provider or Platform: Patients prefer financing through a reputable dental office or well-known third-party platforms with strong reviews.
12. Automatic Payments or Account Management Tools: Convenience matters — patients like plans that offer autopay, online account access, and reminders.
13. Option to Apply Before the Appointment: Some patients prefer to know their financing status before committing to a consultation or treatment.

How to Pick a Financing Option that Works for Your Practice

Choosing the right dental financing solution for your practice requires balancing patient needs, administrative capacity, and financial risk. Whether you're a startup dental office, a multi-location dental practice, or part of a DSO, here's how to evaluate your options and find the best fit:

1. Understand Your Patient Demographics

Are your patients primarily seeking cosmetic dentistry procedures like veneers, teeth whitening, or Invisalign? Do they have access to dental insurance plans, or will they pay out-of-pocket? Understanding your audience helps you decide whether to prioritize low-interest plans, flexible financing, or high-approval healthcare lenders.

2. Evaluate Your Team’s Capacity

Offering in-house payment plans can be rewarding but labor-intensive. Consider whether your team has the time and systems to manage billing, credit checks, follow up on missed payments, and patient education. If not, a third-party lender may be more appropriate.

3. Consider the Types of Procedures You Offer

If your services include high-cost cosmetic dental procedures, you'll likely need financing options that support larger amounts and longer terms. Make sure you or the platform can support bundled treatments like composite resin veneers, fillings, dental crowns, or root canals in a single treatment plan.

4. Compare Lenders and Platforms

If you go the third-party route like many dental offices, evaluate interest rates, but look beyond that. There’s a lot to consider when bringing on a partner:

• Interest rates: Low-interest or interest-free options appeal to cost-sensitive patients.
• Transparent fees: Look for providers with low merchant fees for your practice, and no deceptive deferred interest, origination fees, or prepayment penalties for your customers.
• Approval Rate: Higher approval rates mean your practice can offer more treatment and improve conversion and cash flow.
• Approval criteria: Look for lenders with soft credit checks and flexible thresholds.
• Checkout experience: A seamless in-office or digital process increases acceptance.
• Payment options: Ensure compatibility with debit cards, credit cards, ACH, and other tools.
• Integration: Platforms that integrate with your practice management system can streamline your dental services.
• Customer Service: Find a third-party partner that will handle customer service for you to avoid adding an administrative burden.

Veneers Payment Plans: Tips for Success

Once you’ve selected a financing model, implementing it effectively is key to long-term success. Here are some actionable strategies to increase adoption and patient satisfaction:

1. Provide a free consultation to go over the treatment plan

Educate patients about your veneer financing options during initial consultations. Use visuals and language that reinforce benefits like achieving a natural-looking beautiful smile — all without the burden of large upfront payments.

2. Offer Transparent and Tiered Payment Structures

Present multiple payment options with clear terms. For example:

• 0% APR for short-term plans
• Low-interest extended plans
• Installment-based plans with consistent monthly payments

Clarify how the total cost, average cost, and overall cost of the procedure is broken down, and whether it includes temporary veneers, x-rays, whitening, or any other dental treatments.

3. Build Trust with Strong Support

Highlight that you're working with trusted financing companies that offer flexible payment options, transparent terms, and no hidden fees. Reassure patients that a below average credit score won't always disqualify them thanks to soft credit checks.

4. Simplify the Patient Journey

Make sure your financing solution has a smooth checkout experience, especially for cosmetic procedures where patients may be nervous. Provide a dedicated phone number or FAQ handout so patients can easily get answers about things like…

• Information on brushing, flossing, and other good oral hygiene tips after the procedure
• How to protect the thin layer of tooth enamel the veneer is bonded to
• Tips on increasing the lifespan of their veneers
• Anything else they need to know about providing proper care to maintain a natural appearance and make their veneers last

5. Monitor and Adjust

Track which plans work best, how often patients default, and the durability of your payment strategy. Periodically survey your team and patients to improve offerings and align with market expectations.

Who is Veneer Financing Right For?

Veneer financing isn’t just for large, cosmetic-focused practices — any dental office offering aesthetic or elective procedures can benefit. It’s especially valuable for:

• Cosmetic dentistry practices performing smile makeovers or full mouth veneers and reconstructions
• General dental offices that offer veneers as part of broader treatment plans
• Multi-specialty practices that bundle veneers with orthodontics, whitening, or gum contouring
• Startups or solo cosmetic dentists looking to attract new patients with flexible payment options
• Practices in competitive markets where patients compare providers based on convenience and affordability

By making weekly and monthly payments available, these practices can boost case acceptance and help more patients say yes to new, natural teeth.

Veneer Payment Plan FAQs

Q: Do patients really want financing for veneers?

Yes. Dental veneers are often an out-of-pocket expense not covered by insurance companies, and due to their custom-made nature, veneer pricing can be high enough to create a barrier to treatment. Offering payment plans helps make cosmetic procedures more accessible and increases case acceptance.

Q: What financing options are best for veneers?

The best financing option for veneers depends on your practice’s goals and your patients’ needs. Thanks to high approval amounts (up to $35k for dental), flexible terms (3-60 months), low- and no-interest options, and low merchant fees, Cherry providers have been able to both offer more treatment and increase practice revenue.

Q: How does my practice get paid?

With most third-party financing companies, your office is paid upfront, typically within a few days. The lender then handles all payment collection from the patient, removing financial risk from your team.

Q: Will my team have to manage collections or billing?

If you choose to offer in-house financing, you’ll be responsible for all tasks related to implementing your financing program. That includes marketing, patient education, conducting credit checks, communicating with credit bureaus, and collecting payments — not to mention the risk you assume if a patient defaults. If you go with a third-party platform, they’ll handle the entire payment process, from approval to collection. Your team simply helps the patient initiate the application during checkout.

Q: Is offering financing complicated to set up?

Not at all. Most platforms offer a simple setup process and provide marketing materials, training, and in-office signage to help your team present financing options confidently. With Cherry, practices can even begin implementing their new financing program the same day.

Q: Can I offer both in-house and third-party financing?

Yes. Some practices offer a mix: simple in-house payment plans for trusted patients or small balances, and third-party financing plans for larger dental health treatments or new patients who need more flexible terms.

Q: What treatments can be included in a veneer financing plan?

Financing can apply to the full veneer procedure and any associated oral health treatments outside of typical insurance coverage, including orthodontics (such as Invisalign or clear aligners), dental implants, root canal treatments, dentures, dental molds, teeth whitening for stained teeth or discoloration, and procedures addressing issues like chipped teeth, crooked teeth, tooth decay, and other common dental issues.

Veneer financing plans can also cover supporting dental services, including temporary veneers, orthodontics, diagnostic treatments like x-rays, gum contouring to address gum disease, dental bonding for minor corrections, and any necessary procedures bundled into your overall cosmetic treatment plan.

Treat More Patients With Cherry

At Cherry, we help dental providers offer veneer payment plans to make treatment more accessible to patients — without adding administrative burden to your team. Our financing solutions are designed for modern dental practices, built to reduce provider risk, and optimized to help more patients say yes to a new smile.

Here’s what makes Cherry ideal for veneer financing:

• 80%+ approval rates — even for patients with limited credit history
• Funding up to $50,000 with true 0% APR options
• Soft credit checks that won’t impact patient credit score
• Instant, real-time approval decisions at checkout
• Flexible terms from 3 to 60 months
• No prepayment penalties, origination fees, or deferred interest traps
• Low merchant fees
• Seamless integration and automation
• Trusted by over 40,000 healthcare and dental providers

Whether you're looking to reduce financial barriers, increase veneer case acceptance, or grow your cosmetic dentistry offerings, Cherry can help.

Book a complimentary demo today to see how our veneer financing solutions can help your business grow and your patients achieve a perfect smile.