Dental veneers are thin layers of material that are placed over teeth and cemented to the front face of the teeth. Veneers are often used on individual teeth to improve one’s appearance. If you are considering veneers, you can choose between two materials. Both have their pros and cons, so let’s consider the features of porcelain veneers and composite veneers.
Appearance
The colour, shape, and size of porcelain veneers are customised for each individual patient and can be produced in a wide variety of sheen and colour. Composite veneers also come in a wide variety of colours although they tend not to be as shiny as porcelain, but still look fabulous once we’ve completed the treatment.
Price
Porcelain veneers cost more than composite veneers due to the cost of material and the amount of time spent crafting each one. While porcelain is affordable for most people, you may prefer composite resin if your budget is an issue.
Time to do the Procedure
If you choose composite veneers, the procedure can be completed in one visit. If you choose porcelain veneers, it will take at least two visits since we send them out to a 3rd party lab for fabrication.
Damage to teeth?
Dental veneers do not cause any damage to teeth. If your natural teeth are healthy, veneers can actually make the teeth stronger. Veneers protect tooth enamel, so your teeth are less likely to become chipped. We do remove a very thin layer of tooth to allow for the new veneer to bond to your tooth structure.
Which Veneer Material Lasts Longer?
Porcelain veneers generally last much longer than composite resin veneers. In most cases, porcelain lasts more than twice as long as composite resin. We tend to see composite resin veneers last 3-5 years before they need to be repaired or replaced. Porcelain veneers on the other hand can last 10 years or longer, depending on how well they are looked after.
When you are thinking about cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers are an ideal way to improve your smile. It is a simple procedure with beautiful results. If your teeth do not look their best because one or more teeth have stains, small chips, or do not match the size or shape of your other teeth, consider asking us about veneers. Minor imperfections in your teeth do not need to ruin your smile.
These are some of the main differences between porcelain and composite veneers. You can visit Dentists of Ivanhoe Central to discuss veneers with Dr Shehan or one of our other dentists. In our comfortable office, our caring staff will be happy to answer your questions. You’ll have all of the facts so you are confident in your decision. Whether you choose porcelain or composite resin for your new veneers, you will be delighted each time you smile.
