Last fact-checked: 4 April 2023

Looking to improve your smile with dental veneers but can't afford the high prices at home?

With Dental Departures, you can save up to 75% on dental veneers in Tijuana at one of our quality partner clinics–with each of their pre-screened dentists providing the same high-quality you'd expect in the US, Canada or Europe.

Dental veneers can dramatically improve your smile by improving the look of a single, discolored damaged tooth, or if you have a number of them applied in a row, veneers can give you a straighter, whiter smile.

You will discover numerous benefits to veneers: the treatment is quick, painless and provides an immediate, noticeable difference—but like any other dental or medical treatment, it’s important to do your research to learn whether veneers are suitable for you as well as your most reliable treatment options.

Aside from the number of veneers you get, the main factor determining the final cost is the material from which they are made. For example:

• In the US, composite veneers start at around $800, while porcelain or zirconia veneers can cost up to $2,000 per tooth.
• In Tijuana, composite veneers cost approximately $200 - $300, while porcelain or zirconia veneers may cost around $450. 

See the table below for a comparison of veneer costs in Tijuana and the USA.

Please note that these are price estimates calculated at the time of writing, with currency exchanges subject to fluctuation.

How Much Can I Save on a Hollywood Smile Makeover in Tijuana?

Many of the best dentists in Tijuana for veneers offer all-in “Hollywood Smile” packages with different price points for anywhere between 6 and 20 veneers, depending on whether you’re going for a full or partial smile makeover.

In addition to the veneers, these packages typically include all teeth whitening (such as ZOOM!®), as well as airport or border transfers, temporaries, a mouthguard and sometimes even free accommodation in Tijuana for part or all of your stay.

See the price table below and see how much you can save on Hollywood smile makeover prices in Tijuana compared to average rates in the USA:

Feel free to connect with our Customer Care Team and ask about our ongoing promotions in Tijuana (or any other destination in Mexico). We’ll be happy to help!

First, let's start by summarizing the two main methods used to make and apply veneers:

Custom-made Veneers (Porcelain or Zirconia)

Created using advanced computer-aided design (CAD/CAM) technology in a dental lab, custom-made are preferred by both dentists and patients alike thanks to their durability, stain resistance, and natural appearance. These typically require at least two trips to the dentist and may take a few days to manufacture either on-site or at a third-party dental laboratory.

Although they are more expensive compared to composite veneers (as explained below), they do have a longer lifespan and require minimal upkeep. 

Direct Bonding (Same Day Veneers)

This quicker method involves the application of a tooth-colored composite (or resin) material directly to each tooth; the dentist may do this in layers, depending on the particular system being used, and will mold the material into the desired veneer-like shape. 

This is the cheapest and fastest way to transform your smile–with the process taking around one hour per tooth (excluding consultation time, evaluations and preparation). 

The downside to these same-day veneers in Tijuana? They won’t last as long as porcelain or zirconia options, nor will they be particularly stain resistant.

Materials and Veneer Brands in Tijuana

While direct-bonding veneers are made from a cheaper (but versatile) resin composite, custom-made veneers can be made from:

• Porcelain
• Zirconia
• Ceramic

Two of the main brands that our partner dentists use in Tijuana are:

Lumineers Dental Veneers: a "minimal prep" option that requires only a small amount of tooth reduction before placement. These veneers are made from patented Cerinate® porcelain.

e.max Veneers: made from lithium disilicate, a durable type of ceramic, e.max is one of the most popular types of veneer in the world. They are durable, have a remarkably natural appearance, can easily be color-matched to the rest of the teeth and only require minimal tooth preparation.

What Kind of Veneers Are Used for Hollywood Smile Makeovers?

For Hollywood Smile makeovers, you’ll usually have the option of composite, porcelain and zirconia veneers, depending on your budget. Porcelain is the most common option.

This treatment involves the application of enough veneers to cover all of the viable when you smile in both the upper and lower rows; partial smile makeovers typically use between 6 and 8 veneers on the upper row only.

Tijuana is a modern, cosmopolitan city with a vibrant culture that is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance of late. 

While there has always been a transient flow of visitors to Tijuana thanks to its optimal position on the US-Mexican border adjacent to San Diego and the large populations of Southern California, the number of new residents moving here permanently is on the up. This includes Hispanics from other parts of the country, North Americans, Central and South Americans, indigenous Americans and Asians. 

A Well-Established Tourist Destination

Tijuana has been a popular place for US citizens to visit for its low-cost shopping and restaurants. It is particularly easy to get here too from the US - you can walk across the border from San Diego in a matter of minutes.

Whatsmore, its increasingly diverse mix of different cultures gives Tijuana an air of sophistication, which has encouraged national and international businesses to establish bases here, fuelling a growing middle class with disposable income.

Accommodation is plentiful and suits all budgets, whether you stay in Tijuana or San Diego. And for those concerned about language barriers, while the main language is of course Spanish, English is widely spoken, especially in the main tourist areas, such as Avenida Revolución.

Easy Access From Across North America

If you are driving in from Southern California, the trip from downtown San Diego only takes around 40 minutes. 

Patients can obtain a “FastPass” in advance from their dentist, allowing patients to use a dedicated lane for medical tourists. Other dental tourists beat the vehicle queues at the border by parking their car on the US side (or getting dropped off there) and then continuing on foot across the border.

Clinics in Tijuana are generally able to arrange for border pickups, making it quick and easy for you to get to your hotel (or straight to the dentist) once you are through customs.

The Rise of Dental Tourism in Tijuana

Recent years have seen a surge in both medical and dental tourists, flocking to the inexpensive dental clinics offering specialty dental treatments, such as dental veneers, at considerably cheaper prices than in the US or Canada. 

The increase in dental daytrippers has seen a surge of development in Tijuana as state-of-the-art, purpose-built medical facilities are offering the care Americans and Canadians want, but at budget-friendly prices.

Many have on-site dental laboratories for rapid turnaround times for veneers and other prosthetics, as well as modern CAD/CAM technology and CEREC that facilitates fast and efficient in-office dental restorations.

While the standards of dental care in Tijuana are generally high, there are plenty of clinics here that are an exception to that rule and should be avoided at all costs… no matter how low their prices are or what they say on their own sites.

Thus, it’s important to separate the wheat from the chaff before you head to Mexico–and one easy way of doing this is by using a trusted third-party booking platform like Dental Departures. 

We make sure that our fully-verified partner clinics in Tijuana provide the same standard of care, safety and hygiene as any of the top dentists in the US and Canada. By carrying out background checks on dentists, you can be sure that the person saying “open wide” is indeed fully trained, fully licensed and follows the same internationally-recognized standards as their American counterparts, such as those set out by the International Standardization Organization (ISO).

We also confirm and highlight dentists’ professional memberships, affiliations and accolades from both local and international associations, such as the:

• Mexican Dental Association
• American Dental Association
• International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI)
• World Dental Federation (FDI)
• Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas
• American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry (AAED)

Other Reasons to Book with Us:

Booking with Dental Departures assures you of:

• No upfront charges
• A Best Price Guarantee–meaning you’ll never pay more than you have to
• Exclusive promotions
• Free cancellation policy (up to 24 hours before your appointment)
• Access to our database of hundreds of clinics with more than 1,000 dentists worldwide
• Transparent price estimates on each of our clinic listings
• 24/7 customer service via live chat support, as well as a free-phone line, email and WhatsApp.

Click through to see three of our most popular dental veneer clinics in Tijuana in more detail:

• I Love My Dentist
• Dental Clinic Tijuana
• Smile Builders
• Dental Brush

Looking for more options? We’ve got you covered! Just head to our full list of dentists for veneers in Mexico here, or see some of the most popular destinations lists below: 

• All Dentists for Veneers in Tijuana
• All Dentists for Veneers in Mexicali
• All Dentists for Veneers in Los Algodones
• All Dentists for Veneers in Cancun

Dental veneers are one of the easiest ways to fix damaged, stained and misaligned teeth, which can be transformed into a smile worthy of the red carpet. 

This is typically achieved by bonding wafer-thin laminates of either ceramic, porcelain, zirconia or composite material to the front of each existing tooth. 

Below, we briefly summarize what the treatment and application procedure entails; for more in-depth information about the process, see our Ultimate Guide to Dental Veneers in Mexico.

How Long Does It Take to Get Veneers in Tijuana?

Dental veneer treatment in Tijuana usually takes at least two visits to the dentist, each a few days apart; clinics with CAD/CAM (computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing) technology can normally complete the process much faster. In general:

For direct bonding veneers, treatment can often be completed in a single day (one hour per tooth).

For a single custom-made veneer, treatment can take between 1-3 days

For a full or partial Hollywood smile makeover with multiple custom-made veneers, the process may take between 3-7 days.

What Does the Treatment Entail?

Step 1:

An initial consultation with your dentist decides whether dental veneers will be suitable for you. If yes, then the work begins by choosing the ideal color and shape of your new smile. Your dentist will then prepare your teeth for the new dental veneers. This involves shaving a thin layer from the front of your teeth so that the veneers will sit on top.

Impressions of your teeth will also be taken by the dentist and sent to the laboratory so they can custom-craft the veneers to the impressions, which may take a few days.

In the meantime, your dentist will fit temporary veneers and you will be free to spend some time checking out Tijuana–or head back north across the border to San Diego or beyond.

Step 2:

On your next visit, the temporary veneers will be removed and the new, permanent veneers will be affixed using a bonding process that uses a light-activated adhesive (or dental cement) to bond the veneers to the existing teeth. 

After the bonding process is finished, your dentist will clean your teeth thoroughly to complete the procedure. You may also be provided with a mouthguard to help protect your new veneers, as well as medication for any initial sensitivity.

Am I a Suitable Candidate for Veneers?

Good candidates for veneers should:

• Have good overall oral health (if a tooth is failing, the veneer will inevitably fail, too)
• Have adequate tooth enamel
• Have proper tooth alignment
• Have realistic expectations (while veneers can significantly improve the appearance of your smile, they are not a magic solution for dental issues).
• Be committed to maintaining proper oral hygiene

At most dentists in Mexico, if you are deemed unsuitable or decide not to proceed with treatment, there will be no charges – although remember to check with our Customer Care Team whether your chosen clinic offers free, no-obligation consultations.

Tijuana is an attractive destination for dental tourists thanks to the significantly lower prices south of the border coupled with high standards of dental care provided by certified, English-speaking dentists.

In terms of a tourist destination, dental tourists can also enjoy the city's cultural, historical, and recreational offerings, such as museums, art galleries, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.

Getting to Tijuana

Another main draw for Tijuana is its location–approximately 40 minutes away from downtown San Diego.

The San Ysidro border crossing is normally open 24 hours and reasonably quick to get through, although during holiday times it can get busy. There is an alternative at the Mesa de Otay crossing, a few minutes drive east of San Ysidro.

Another option is flying: direct international flights come into Aeropuerto Internacional Abelardo L Rodríguez just East of Downtown Tijuana, and San Diego Airport, a half-hour drive away.

Note: You can see the latest US travel advisories for Mexico here.

Are There Any Beaches in Tijuana?

Playas de Tijuana is the main beach area, located just west of the main metropolitan area. 

While the beaches in and around Tijuana are fine for a quick dip in the Pacific, the region’s more idyllic spots can be found a little further south around the resort towns of Rosarito (30 minutes) and Ensenada (90 minutes).

> Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Dentists in Mexico

Other North Mexican Border Towns for Dental Tourism

As well as Tijuana, other border towns and cities in Mexico known for affordable dental care include Los Algodones, Mexicali, Nuevo Progreso, Matamoros, Reynosa, Tecate, and Nuevo Laredo.

Check out some of our main destination guides below:

• Ultimate Guide to Dentists in Los Algodones
• Ultimate Guide to Dentists in Mexicali
• Ultimate Guide to Dentists in Juarez

Q: What is the cost of a single veneer in Tijuana? 
A: At our partner clinics in Tijuana, composite veneers start from just $200 while a full porcelain veneer costs approximately $400-$500.

Q. How much does a “Hollywood Smile Makeover” cost in Tijuana? 
A: A complete set of 20 veneers costs around $7,500-$8,500 in Tijuana, with all-inclusive packages from certain clinics typically covering all of your treatment expenses, accommodation, and airport/border transfers.

Q: Can veneers be whitened? 
A: Traditional teeth whitening methods are not effective on veneers. However, if one becomes discolored, it can easily be replaced.

Q: Are veneers covered by insurance in the USA? 
A: Most dental insurance companies in the USA do not cover cosmetic procedures such as veneers. Some cover a portion of the final bill if deemed a medical necessity.

Q: Can you eat with veneers? 
A: Patients can resume their normal diet following veneer treatment, although you will be advised to stay clear of particularly hard or sticky foods that might dislodge them.

Q: How long do veneers last? 
A: If looked after properly, most veneers can last for 10-15 years.

Booking your veneers in Tijuana, Mexico with Dental Departures is made quick, simple and secure; use our online appointment scheduler, fill in your details and we'll then send you a confirmation via email. 

You can arrange an appointment over the phone too, with our Customer Care Team on standby to answer any questions 24 hours a day. With our toll-free number, you won't incur any charges, and there is never a charge to you for our services.

Sources:

Lumineers Dental Veneers. Website accessed: 20 March 2023. http://www.lumineers.com

International Organization for Standardization. Website accessed: 20 March 2023. https://www.iso.org/home.html

CEREC - CAD/CAM solutions for dental practices. Website accessed: 20 March 2023. https://www.dentsplysirona.com/en/explore/cerec.html

Crossing the U.S. - Mexico Border by Land. Travel.State.Gov. Website accessed: 20 March 2023. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/us-mexicoborder.html

American Dental Association. Website accessed: 20 March 2023. https://www.ada.org/en

Why Medical Tourism in Mexico? Medtourpress. Website accessed: 20 March 2023. https://medtourpress.ir/en/why-medical-tourism-in-mexico/

ICOI. Website accessed: 20 March 2023. https://www.icoi.org/

Mexico. Travel.State.Gov. Website accessed: 16 March 2023. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Mexico.html

How long do composite dental veneers last? Share Care. Website accessed: 16 March 2023. https://www.sharecare.com/health/dental-veneers/how-composite-dental-veneers-last

How do Veneers Work? Colgate Oral Health Center. Website accessed: 16 March 2023. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/veneers