Composite veneers vs porcelain veneers – what’s best? Both are common materials for this cosmetic dentistry procedure and are great for fixing up your teeth. They can give you the smile you’ve always wanted and are easy to install. What’s best for you will be based entirely on your own circumstances, lifestyle choices, and indeed, your budget. Let’s take a look at both of them.
Dental Veneers
Firstly, what are Dental Veneers?
The easiest way to explain veneers is to call them “dental facelifts.” They’re a way of hiding imperfections on your teeth to give you a perfect smile. Veneers can be used to cover single or multiple cracked, chipped, or discoloured teeth, as well as teeth that are too small or oddly shaped. They can also be used to disguise crooked teeth by placing several of them in a row to present a straight, white and even smile.
There are two main types of veneers: composite veneers and porcelain veneers. If you’re thinking about getting veneers, it’s important to understand the difference between composite veneers vs porcelain veneers so you know what will work best for your smile.
Composite veneers
Composite veneers are made from composite resin (a type of plastic) that is applied directly to a tooth by a dentist without the need for a dental laboratory to make them.
They offer the same benefits and drawbacks as porcelain veneers that are tailor-made in a lab, but the procedure can be completed in one office visit.
Prior to the composite resin material being applied, your teeth will be professionally cleaned to remove any stains and to ensure the surfaces are clean and free from plaque bacteria.
The malleable resin material is colour-matched by your dentist to blend in with your other teeth. The dentist will first shape the composite material before applying it to your teeth and hardening it with a curing light. Once hardened, the composite veneers are trimmed and shaped to fit so they blend naturally with your other teeth. Finally, they are polished to give a natural, glossy finish.
Porcelain veneers
Typically, porcelain veneers require two visits to a dentist’s office. At the first appointment, a dentist will take an impression of your teeth. These are sent to a laboratory where your porcelain veneers are tailor-made and returned to the dentist a couple of weeks later so they can be fitted.
Porcelain veneers are a bit thicker than composite. To make sure the veneers fit on top of your natural teeth without being too bulky, a sliver of enamel is usually removed from the front of the teeth.
Same-Day CEREC
At Sydney Laser Dental Care we offer same-day porcelain veneers using CEREC advanced technology. Using digital technology, we design a 3D model of your tooth on a computer. We can edit the image so you can see how your veneer will look when fitted. The image is sent to an onsite milling machine that creates your porcelain veneer from a block of ceramic that is ready to fit while you wait.
Composite vs Porcelain Veneers
Both composite veneers and porcelain veneers are a great option for patients who want to fix one or more cosmetic issues with their teeth, including:
- Stained tooth enamel
- Chipped, cracked or worn teeth
- Gaps between your teeth
- Misaligned teeth
- Misshapen teeth
But what are their advantages and disadvantages?
Advantages of composite vs porcelain veneers
- Porcelain is a hard-wearing material and veneers made from porcelain are stronger than veneers made from composite
- Porcelain is stain-resistant;
- Porcelain veneers can last for 15 years or more before they need replacing
- Porcelain’s translucent qualities mimic natural teeth well
Disadvantages of porcelain
- If made in a lab, the process can take longer and requires at least 2 appointments;
- This is a permanent procedure as enamel must be removed from the surface of the teeth. Once the enamel is removed, it is gone forever—and while you can replace the veneers after several years if they break or become worn down, you cannot replace the enamel that was removed before putting them on.
Advantages of composite veneers
- Composite veneers can be made right at the office and do not require an extra office visit, making them more affordable than porcelain veneers. Additionally, the plastic material they are made from is less expensive than porcelain ceramic.
- Composite veneers also have some other advantages over porcelain veneers. They can be easily repaired and re-made if they break or chip, while porcelain veneers will need to be replaced completely if they fracture.
- The process is much less invasive and can be completed in a single appointment.
- Less expensive than porcelain
Disadvantages of composite veneers
- Composite typically lasts between 5 and 7 years, whereas porcelain veneers can last for up to 15 years or more.
- Composite veneers can crack or chip if you bite down on something hard, like ice or hard candy, whereas porcelain is much more durable and can withstand this kind of pressure with ease.
- Because composite resin is porous and not as stain-resistant as porcelain, it will begin to yellow over time, especially if you’re a smoker or coffee drinker. Porcelain doesn’t stain nearly as easily as resin and will maintain its beautiful white colour for many years to come.
Composite veneers vs porcelain veneers: The takeaway
Both materials have their pros and cons but for further advice about whether composite veneers vs porcelain veneers are best for you, schedule an appointment and talk to our experts. We transform smiles every day and can’t wait to transform yours.
References:
Healthline: What To Know Before You Get Dental Veneers
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-veneers
Colgate – What Is CEREC in Dentistry?
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/dental-visits/what-is-cerec-in-dentistry
