AUD cost guide
Veneer cost in Vietnam vs Australia — 2026 AUD guide
Porcelain veneer costs in 2026 — Picasso Dental Clinic Vietnam from AUD 510 per tooth (Emax Press, 7-year warranty) vs Australian private clinics quoting AUD 1,500–2,500 per tooth. Full AUD breakdown for 10-tooth and 16-tooth smile cases including flights and private health fund rebate.
A single Emax Press porcelain veneer at Picasso Dental Clinic in Vietnam costs AUD 510 (May 2026 price), compared with typical Australian private veneer quotes of AUD 1,500–2,500 per tooth — so a 10-tooth Emax Press case is AUD 5,100 at Picasso versus AUD 15,000–25,000 at an Australian private clinic, before flights and accommodation are added.
The cost of porcelain veneers is the most-searched dental tourism question from Australian patients. This page answers it with current AUD prices from Picasso Dental Clinic’s May 2026 price list, the realistic Australian private comparison, and what the total trip cost actually looks like once flights and accommodation are factored in.
Veneer prices at Picasso Dental Clinic — May 2026 (AUD)
| Material | Price per tooth (AUD) | Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Composite veneer | AUD 170 | 6 months |
| Emax Press porcelain | AUD 510 | 7 years |
| Emax Press Plus porcelain | AUD 565 | 7 years |
| Non-prep Emax veneer | AUD 620 | 7 years |
| Lisi porcelain veneer | AUD 680 | 7 years |
The Emax Press veneer (AUD 510) is the most common choice for Australian smile makeover patients. Lisi is the premium ceramic option. Non-prep is used when the tooth contour allows a veneer to bond without enamel preparation.
Full case examples in AUD
| Case | Picasso treatment cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| 1 Emax Press veneer | AUD 510 |
| 4 Emax Press veneers | AUD 2,040 |
| 8 Emax Press veneers (upper smile zone) | AUD 4,080 |
| 10 Emax Press veneers (full upper arch) | AUD 5,100 |
| 16 Emax Press veneers (upper + lower visible) | AUD 8,160 |
| 20 Emax Press veneers (extended) | AUD 10,200 |
These are treatment costs only. Trip costs are added in the all-in comparison below.
Australian private veneer cost benchmarks
| AU case | Typical private range (AUD) |
|---|---|
| 1 porcelain veneer | AUD 1,500 – AUD 2,500 |
| 4 porcelain veneers | AUD 6,000 – AUD 10,000 |
| 10 porcelain veneers | AUD 15,000 – AUD 25,000 |
| 16 porcelain veneers | AUD 24,000 – AUD 40,000 |
Medicare does not cover veneers. Cosmetic veneers are entirely out-of-pocket. Private health fund extras typically exclude cosmetic work — restorative applications may attract partial rebate.
The all-in comparison — 10-veneer case
| Line item | Picasso Vietnam (AUD) | AU private mid (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Emax Press veneers | AUD 5,100 | AUD 20,000 |
| Return flights SYD/MEL – Da Nang or HCMC | AUD 1,000 | n/a |
| 8 nights accommodation (Da Nang mid-range) | AUD 600 | n/a |
| Local travel, food, contingency | AUD 400 | n/a |
| Trip total | AUD 7,100 | AUD 20,000 |
| Net saving versus AU | ~AUD 12,900 | — |
The saving holds strongly for cases of 6+ veneers from Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. Below 4–5 veneers, the trip cost erodes the saving and dental tourism stops making financial sense.
Why the price gap is real
Three factors explain the difference — none of them are about ceramic quality.
| Factor | Effect on AU price | Effect on Picasso price |
|---|---|---|
| Clinic overhead (rent, staff, insurance) | High — especially in Sydney and Melbourne | Lower — Vietnam operating costs are a fraction of Australia’s |
| Ceramic supply chain | Same global suppliers (Ivoclar Vivadent, etc.) | Same ceramic, lower lab production cost |
| Pricing structure | Often bundled with consultation and follow-up | Itemised per tooth in AUD — what you see in the quote is what you pay |
The ceramic is not cheaper. Emax Press from Ivoclar Vivadent is the same product whether bonded in Sydney or Da Nang. What is cheaper is the cost of running the clinic that bonds it.
What changes the quote
| Factor | Likely effect on quote |
|---|---|
| Number of teeth | More teeth, more total cost — per-tooth cost stays the same |
| Choice of ceramic | Emax Press (AUD 510) vs Lisi (AUD 680) vs Emax Press Plus (AUD 565) |
| Non-prep option | Some teeth qualify for non-prep (AUD 620); depends on tooth contour |
| Whitening lower teeth | Most veneer plans add lower-arch whitening to match shade — Zoom full mouth AUD 340 |
| OPG X-ray and scan | OPG AUD 33, iTero scan AUD 115 if not already provided |
| Cosmetic crown for compromised front tooth | Heavily damaged tooth may need crown (AUD 510 Emax) rather than veneer |
A written AUD quote shows every line. There are no surprise additions on arrival.
The Portrait Sitting protocol
Picasso’s veneer workflow is not a same-day package. The Portrait Sitting protocol (developed under Dr. Emily Nguyen’s clinical direction) is a multi-step process:
- Clinical photography and facial analysis before any tooth preparation
- Shade and shape discussion with the patient
- Wax-up mock-up so you see the proposed result before any tooth reduction
- Conservative preparation — typically 0.3 to 0.5mm for Emax Press
- Temporaries as a test drive for 3–5 days
- Final ceramic bonding and bite check
- Post-bonding review
This is what makes the trip 7–10 days rather than the 3–4 days of a compressed package. It is also what makes the outcome more predictable.
When to stay in Australia
Honest concession — dental tourism for veneers does not always make financial or practical sense:
- 1–3 veneers needed — the trip cost exceeds the treatment saving
- Specialist continuity requirement such as complex bite work needing ongoing local management
- Cannot take 7–10 days away from work and family
- Active gum disease, decay, or bite problems that need addressing locally first
- Single emergency tooth issue — this is a local issue, not a travel one
For everyone else considering 6+ veneers, the AUD maths favours Picasso even after a generous trip budget.
How to get your accurate quote
Send these to /free-quote/ and you will receive a written AUD plan within 24–48 hours:
- Relaxed front smile photograph
- Retracted front photograph (lips pulled back)
- Right and left bite photographs
- Upper and lower arch occlusal photographs
- Any OPG X-ray you have already taken (within last 24 months)
- A note about what you would like to change and what you would like to keep natural
Phone photos work fine. Good light and clear angles matter more than professional equipment.
Read next
- Veneers — the Portrait Sitting protocol
- Porcelain veneers — materials and candidacy
- Composite veneers — same-day results
- Veneer cost: Australia vs Vietnam — full breakdown
- Smile makeover cost
- Free quote
Frequently asked questions
How much do porcelain veneers cost at Picasso Dental Clinic?
Emax Press porcelain veneers cost AUD 510 per tooth (May 2026). Emax Press Plus is AUD 565. Non-prep Emax veneers are AUD 620. Lisi porcelain veneers are AUD 680. Composite veneers (a different material) are AUD 170 per tooth. All porcelain veneers carry a 7-year warranty; composite carries 6 months.
How much do porcelain veneers cost in Australia privately?
Typical Australian private porcelain veneer quotes sit between AUD 1,500 and AUD 2,500 per tooth depending on the city, material, and clinic. A 10-veneer smile case typically quotes AUD 15,000–25,000 at Australian private clinics. Neither Medicare nor most private health fund extras covers cosmetic veneers — they are entirely out-of-pocket.
What does a 10-tooth Emax Press case cost all-in?
Treatment AUD 5,100 + return flights SYD/MEL–HCMC AUD 1,000 + 8 nights mid-range accommodation in Da Nang AUD 600 = approximately AUD 6,700 all-in. This compares with AUD 15,000–25,000 for the same case in Australia. Net saving is approximately AUD 8,300–18,300. Single-veneer cases do not save enough to justify the trip.
What is the break-even point for flying to Vietnam for veneers?
The trip becomes financially rational at roughly 4–5 veneers or more. Below that, the cost of return flights and accommodation erodes the saving significantly. For 8–16 veneers, the maths is firmly in Vietnam's favour even after a generous travel and recovery budget.
Does the veneer price include all the related work?
The per-veneer price covers the ceramic, bonding, temporaries, and bite check. Related items priced separately if needed: OPG X-ray AUD 33, iTero digital scan AUD 115, in-office whitening AUD 340 Zoom full mouth. Your written quote itemises everything.
Can private health fund extras cover veneers?
Cosmetic veneers are generally excluded from private health fund extras. If the veneer is restorative (replacing a structurally compromised tooth), some policies apply item code 526 (indirect restoration). The distinction is clinical — confirm with your fund and ask Picasso to itemise the invoice with the appropriate codes.