Hollywood Smile Abroad: Veneers or Crowns?
Updated: Oct 14
Hollywood smile is not a medical term. It is the name clinics give to cosmetic work that makes teeth look whiter, straighter and more even. There are two ways to get this look: veneers or crowns. To understand which one suits you, it helps to first know what each one does to the tooth. This guide is for people whose teeth are healthy and who only want to change how their smile looks.
Quick answer
A veneer covers only the front surface of a tooth. A crown covers the whole tooth.
Veneers are usually chosen for healthy teeth. A crown is considered when the tooth itself is damaged.
Most porcelain veneers cannot be undone, and they need replacing every 10 to 15 years on average.
In Maple Med Global partner clinics’ price lists, porcelain veneers start from about 400 CAD per tooth in Turkey and about 650 CAD per tooth in Mexico.
What is a veneer?
A veneer is a thin shell bonded to the front of a tooth. It changes the tooth’s colour, shape and length while leaving the back and sides largely untouched. There are two types, and they differ both in the material and in how much of the tooth is altered.
With composite veneers, the dentist shapes a tooth-coloured filling material directly on your teeth and hardens it with a special light. Because there is no lab work to wait for, the work is finished in fewer appointments, and the price is lower than porcelain. Less of the tooth may need to be removed, and if a piece chips, it is easy to repair. On the other hand, composite can pick up stains and wear down over time. In a 10-year study, about 4% of composite veneers had to be replaced each year, compared with about 1% of porcelain veneers. In other words, composite needs more frequent upkeep, but that upkeep is also simpler.
A porcelain veneer is a ceramic shell made in a dental lab, and it can be as thin as 0.3 to 0.5 mm. Because it is strong, stain-resistant and natural-looking, it needs less upkeep over the long term. To fit it, however, a thin layer of enamel has to be removed from the front of the tooth. Enamel is the hard outer layer of the tooth, and once it is removed, it does not grow back.
Which one to choose depends on what matters most to you. If you want a quicker, lower-priced option that alters the tooth less, composite stands out. If you want something that lasts longer, porcelain does. A basic principle of dentistry is to reach the desired result with the least possible change to the tooth. That is why the dentist first examines your teeth and tells you which option is suitable. The final decision is yours, made knowing the pros and cons of each.
What is a crown?
Unlike a veneer, a crown covers the whole tooth like a cap, and the tooth has to be reduced on every side to make room for it. A study on front teeth shows how large the difference is: preparing a tooth for a veneer removed 3% to 30% of its visible part, while preparing it for a crown removed 63% to 72%. That is why a crown is considered to protect a tooth that is broken, heavily filled or has had a root canal. On a healthy tooth, it removes more tissue than necessary.
Two types of crown stand out for front teeth. An E-max crown is usually the first choice because it lets light through much like a natural tooth. A zirconia crown is stronger but lets less light through, which makes it useful when a dark tooth underneath needs to be covered.
The phrase “Turkey teeth”, which you may come across online, relates to exactly this point: it describes healthy teeth being filed down too much to fit crowns. It is also worth knowing that some clinics offer zirconia crowns under the name “zirconia veneers”. If your quote uses this name, ask what it means. If a crown has been recommended for a healthy tooth, ask why.
Comparing the options
Composite veneer | Porcelain veneer | Crown | |
Tooth tissue removed | May be less than porcelain | 3% to 30% of the visible part | 63% to 72% of the visible part |
Durability | Needs repair more often | Long-lasting | Long-lasting |
Per tooth in Turkey | From 300 CAD | From 400 CAD | E-max from 400 CAD, zirconia from 350 CAD |
Per tooth in Mexico | From 400 CAD | From 650 CAD | Zirconia from 700 CAD |
Prices are taken from partner clinics’ price lists.
A lasting decision: what if you change your mind later?
Before getting porcelain veneers, it is important to know that this is usually a decision that cannot be reversed. Because the enamel removed from the tooth does not grow back, the teeth do not return to how they were even if the veneers are taken off, and they may need to be covered again. Some types of veneer that need little or no preparation can be reversed.
Veneers do not last a lifetime either. With an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, a future replacement and its cost should be part of the plan.
That is why seeing the result in advance matters. The dentist can apply the planned smile over your teeth with a temporary material, without touching the teeth themselves. This trial smile, called a mock-up, is charged separately at some clinics.
What can happen over the long term?
A review of 13 studies shows what you might face over the long term. Over about 9 years of follow-up, porcelain veneers showed these problems:
4% fractured or chipped
2% came off
2% showed noticeable staining at the edge
1% had decay in the tooth underneath
So problems are uncommon, and most have a solution. A veneer that comes off can be bonded back on if it is not broken, so keep it and take it to your dentist. Decay is not caused by the veneer either: the natural tooth under the veneer needs the same care as your other teeth.
How much does a Hollywood smile cost abroad?
Starting prices per tooth are in the table above. Although packages are often 16 or 20 teeth, the right number depends on which teeth show when you smile.
The total depends on many things: the number of teeth, the procedure planned for each tooth, the material, any treatment needed first, extras such as a mock-up, the clinic, the length of stay, accommodation and the exchange rate. That is why a real quote can only be prepared individually, after the dentist has seen your teeth.
Prices are approximate Maple Med Global estimates based on partner clinics’ price lists, converted to CAD at the Bank of Canada exchange rate of 7 October 2026 and rounded up.
How to choose the right clinic and dentist
The package price you see in social media ads is a figure given before a dentist has seen your teeth. It does not tell you which procedure you need or who will do the work. That is why clinics are best compared on the dentist and the plan offered, not on price.
The first thing to look at is the dentist’s experience. Canada has 10 nationally recognized dental specialties, and “cosmetic dentistry” is not one of them. The specialty that covers veneers and crowns is prosthodontics, called Protetik Diş Tedavisi in Turkey. General dentists can also place veneers, and in that case what matters is how often they do this work. The easiest way to find out is to ask how many veneer cases they have done and to ask to see before and after photos of their own patients.
Next, look at the clinic’s permits. In Turkey, healthcare facilities serving international patients must hold an authorization certificate from the Ministry of Health (Uluslararası Sağlık Turizmi Yetki Belgesi). In Mexico, a dentist’s degree and specialty details (cédula profesional) can be checked free of charge on the Registro Nacional de Profesionistas website. If you are travelling to another country, find out beforehand which body licenses clinics and dentists there, and where that information can be checked.
Finally, compare the plan you are given. The Ontario Dental Association recommends getting a plan from your dentist in Canada before you go. If a different or larger treatment is recommended abroad, ask why. Also remember to ask whether the dentist you meet will carry out the procedure themselves.
Ask the clinic for this in writing
For your dentist in Canada to continue your care, you need the following in English or French:
A separate plan for each tooth (veneer, crown or nothing) and the reason
How much tooth tissue will be removed
The material’s name, brand and shade code
X-rays taken before and after the procedure
An invoice showing the tooth number for each procedure
What happens if a veneer comes off or breaks, and who covers the cost
How Maple Med Global helps
Maple Med Global works with partner clinics in many countries, including Turkey and Mexico. The process starts with two things: photos of your teeth and a health form. Maple Med Global passes these on to the dentist at the partner clinic, who prepares a preliminary plan and a price quote. The final plan is confirmed after the in-person examination. After the procedure, your records are prepared in English or French.
How to photograph your teeth
Seven photos taken with a phone are enough:
Your face from the front, smiling naturally
A close-up of your smile: from the front, the right and the left
With your lips pulled back with your fingers and your teeth slightly apart: from the front, the right and the left
If you are ready to send your photos, you can request a preliminary assessment and a price quote using the button below.
Frequently asked questions
Are lamina veneers the same as porcelain veneers?
In dental research, porcelain veneers are also called laminate veneers. Clinics in Turkey may list them under this name in their price lists, or simply as “lamina veneers”. Some lists, however, also use “composite laminate” for composite veneers, so check that your quote clearly states whether the material is porcelain or composite.
Is a veneer right for everyone?
A veneer is not always needed. If the only issue is the colour of your teeth, whitening may be enough. If your teeth are crooked, a short course of clear aligner treatment first can reduce the number of teeth that need covering. If veneers are being considered, any decay and gum disease need to be treated first. If you clench or grind your teeth, tell the dentist from the start, because veneers may not be suitable in that case.
Can veneers be whitened later?
No. Whitening can only lighten natural teeth, and whitening products can scratch the surface of a veneer. So the shade you choose stays with you until the veneers are replaced. When choosing a shade, remember that the whitest is not always the most attractive: in one study, neither dentists nor lay participants rated the brightest shade as the most attractive.
Do porcelain veneers stain from coffee or tea?
Porcelain resists stains, but dark drinks such as coffee, tea and red wine can stain it too over time. Composite picks up colour from these drinks more easily, but it is also easier to repair.
Can teeth feel sensitive after veneers?
In some people, teeth may become more sensitive to hot and cold. If this does not go away, tell your dentist.
Do veneers prevent tartar, and does daily care change?
Veneers and crowns do not prevent tartar. Plaque builds up on these surfaces just as it does on natural teeth, and plaque that is not cleaned away hardens into tartar over time. Thanks to its smooth surface, porcelain holds less plaque than composite. Even so, your daily care barely changes. Brush twice a day with a soft brush and a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste, and floss every day. Do not bite into hard foods with your front teeth, and if you clench your teeth, wear a night guard. These last two help veneers last longer. Because brushing does not remove tartar, a dentist or hygienist cleans it off at regular cleanings. Your dentist in Canada decides how often you need check-ups based on your situation, and the records you bring home make their job easier.
How many days does getting porcelain veneers take?
There are usually two appointments: first the teeth are prepared and temporary veneers are fitted, then a few days later the veneers are tried in and bonded. In one partner clinic’s price list, this process is planned at 6 days for porcelain veneers and crowns, and 1 to 3 days for composite.
The other dental treatments Maple Med Global coordinates are listed on the dental care page.
Sources
American Dental Association, MouthHealthy: Veneers
Cleveland Clinic, Dental Veneers, 2022
Cleveland Clinic, Tartar
NHS, Teeth whitening
Canadian Dental Association, Frequency of Dental Care, 2019
Canadian Dental Association, Dental Specialties
Fava J., Porcelain Therapy: Veneers vs Jacket Crowns, Oral Health, 2015
Edelhoff D., Sorensen J.A., Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2002
Morimoto S. et al., International Journal of Prosthodontics, 2016
Mazzetti T. et al., Dental Materials, 2022
Abbott L.J. et al., Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, 2012
Lázaro Villa H. et al., Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, 2020
Faus-Matoses V. et al., Journal of Dentistry, 2020
Korkut B. et al., Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 2023
Sabherwal R.S. et al., JADA, 2009
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Photographic Documentation: 12 Required Views
TUKMOS, Protetik Diş Tedavisi Uzmanlık Eğitimi Çekirdek Müfredatı
Uluslararası Sağlık Turizmi ve Turistin Sağlığı Hakkında Yönetmelik, Resmî Gazete, 2025
Secretaría de Educación Pública, Registro Nacional de Profesionistas
Ontario Dental Association, Dental tourism, 2025
Bank of Canada, Daily exchange rates, 7 October 2026
Maple Med Global is a Toronto-based medical travel coordination company, not a clinic. Suitability for any procedure and all clinical decisions are made by the medical teams at partner clinics. This article is general information, not medical advice.
