If you are looking for dental veneers in Ivanhoe to enhance your smile, you will be in safe hands with our experts at Dentists of Ivanhoe. Dental veneers will help improve the aesthetics of your smile by enhancing the colour, size, shape, and appearance of your teeth. When you come to see your Ivanhoe dentist for veneers, you will be presented with two options, porcelain or composite veneers. When it comes to choosing between porcelain and composite veneers, many people find themselves uncertain.
So, what is the difference between porcelain and composite veneers?
Porcelain veneers are a slender porcelain shell that is bonded to the front of your tooth or teeth, whereas composite veneers are produced from a mix of resin (plastic) and glass, applied to the tooth, one layer at a time. While both types are designed to seamlessly fit in with your natural smile, there are advantages and disadvantages to both, so let’s break down your options and help you make the choice.
Porcelain Veneers
Advantages
- Porcelain is a much stronger, and more durable material
- Longer lifespan (at least 10 years, but often longer and up to 20 years)
- More natural in appearance, due to the reflection level in light
- Highly stain resistant
Disadvantages
- Porcelain veneers cannot be repaired, so will need to be replaced if broken
- Applying porcelain veneers takes slightly longer, with a minimum of 2 appointments required
Composite Veneers
Advantages
- Applying composite veneers can be done in a single appointment
- Less expensive
- Damage to the veneer can be repaired
Disadvantages
- More likely to stain
- Less durable than porcelain veneers
- Despite being reparable, the repaired chips and breaks are often very visible
- Shorter lifespan (5-7 years depending on size and position, and oral habits)
- Not as realistic in appearance as porcelain veneers
So which type of veneer is the best?
Both porcelain and composite veneers in Ivanhoe have their benefits. If you are looking for a more natural, longer lasting solution to improve your smile, porcelain veneers can last twice as long as composite veneers. However, the choice is ultimately up to you, and both options can give you the aesthetics you are looking for.
To get your dental veneers near Heidelberg and Thornbury, call Dentists of Ivanhoe on (03) 9499 9033.
