Have you wished you could have a better-looking smile? If so, dental veneers might be the perfect solution for you. But before that, you will need to consider whether you want to use composite or porcelain dental veneers. Choosing between these two types of dental veneers may seem like a tough decision, but it is actually easier than you think!
To help you make the right choice, we have provided all the necessary information needed in order to help you choose the most suitable type of dental veneer for you.
Who Qualifies for Dental Veneers
Dental veneers, no matter if you opt for either composite veneers or porcelain veneers, are used to cover imperfections on teeth in order to improve the look of a patient’s smile. Some imperfections that dental veneers can help improve are:
- Crooked or misshaped teeth
- Whitened, stained or discoloured teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Teeth where enamel has worn away
Dental veneers will cover an area on the tooth, but they do not restore or replace the entire tooth like a dental crown does which would surround the entire tooth from front to back, or top to bottom. Also, a dental crown will require more tooth grinding in order for the dental crown to properly fit, unlike when placing a composite or porcelain veneer, in which little to no grinding is required.
In the right circumstance, dental veneers are a great way to change your facial appearance (i.e., the colours and shapes of your teeth), especially if they are mostly intact or there are just some minor issues with them. For example, a patient who has lost a tooth is going to need a crown (an artificial tooth) as opposed to a dental veneer.
Types of Veneers
There are 2 primary types of dental veneers – composite and porcelain. Your dentist will help you decide which type would work best for you based on what you want to achieve (changing colours, shapes, etc.) with your new veneers.
Direct Composite Veneers
Composite veneers are made of resin and can be bonded directly onto your teeth by an experienced dentist. A dentist may have to do some shaping or removing of the natural teeth prior to applying the composite veneer(s), but the number of times is typically limited or not at all (this is the least invasive procedure compared to porcelain veneers).
As such, there is minimal preparation required for composite veneer applications when used with patients and dentists who have access to the highest level dental technologies.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are when a dentist takes an impression of your teeth in order to create and customise the veneers in an outside lab so that they match your tooth structure and individual smile perfectly. It can take up to 14 days or longer for porcelain veneers to be completed (depending on when the lab is able to process them). Until this happens you will be given temporary veneers until your finished porcelain ones are ready.
Once the permanent porcelain veneers are complete, the dentist will use bonding cement to apply them to the original surface of the teeth so they become a part of the teeth.
Technologically speaking, composite veneers have greatly improved over time and continue to evolve due to skilled practitioners and laboratories. There are now proven procedures that are considered more effective compared to previous methods for composites and still deliver similar results as porcelain, but are less severe on the body and cost less.
Composite Veneers vs. Porcelain Veneers
When comparing composite and porcelain veneers, there are pros and cons to consider with each. It is vital to weigh these factors before deciding on either option.
Composite Veneers
Composite Veneers – Pros:
- Cost the least
- Can be applied very quickly (same day)
- Can be used to cover any cosmetic issue virtually (discolourations, irregular shapes, etc.)
Composite Veneers – Cons:
- Composites are more prone to breaking due to their lower strength than porcelain; they are approximately 5% weaker than porcelain when comparing strength
- Have a life expectancy of around 7 to 10 years (but could last for longer, up to 10 to 15 years)
- Present a slightly less natural appearance compared to porcelain
- Can provide whiteness to the tooth being treated; but will not provide that level of whiteness if the tooth is discoloured as a result of staining or ageing
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain Veneers – Pros:
- Made to suit the individual
- Longer lasting due to the stronger material used in their manufacturing process compared to composite
- Darker stains that can be fixed by using porcelain
- Most natural looking veneer available today; approximate 80% of people who choose complete restorations appreciate their appearance
Porcelain Veneers – Cons:
- Tend to be more expensive compared to composites
- May come loose or fall off and will require replacement; therefore, it is important to understand this and prepare for replacing if that does happen
- Requires multiple visits (at least 2 visits over 2 weeks) prior to and following their application
- Requires additional tooth structure to be removed compared to composites
By reviewing these pro and con attributes, you should have a better understanding of what to consider when considering composite versus porcelain veneers.
The Major Differences between Composite and Porcelain Veneers
When considering veneers, there are a few key differences between composite and porcelain veneers that you should be aware of:
1. Time
Composite veneers can usually be applied in less time than porcelain veneers, as they can be applied in one chair visit. Porcelain veneers take a minimum of two visits, spaced two weeks apart, to apply.
2. Longevity
Properly maintaining porcelain veneers can allow them to last between 10 and 20 years. On the other hand, composite veneers have a much shorter lifespan of approximately 7 to 10 years.
3. Appearance
The appearance of porcelain veneers is more natural looking because the translucent properties of porcelain give the veneer the same reflective quality of light that your natural tooth has. Composite veneers still look nice but cannot match the natural aesthetics of porcelain.
4. Expense
Although the initial cost of porcelain veneers is higher due to the amount of time, materials, and skills needed for placement compared to composite veneers, it is possible that composite veneers will require repairs or replacements more frequently than porcelain veneers. This causes the difference in prices to become equivalent over time.
5. Recommendations from the Dentist
Your dentist will have a good idea if either porcelain or composite would better suit your needs based on your current dental condition and other factors. This will, therefore, assist you in making your final decision.
Composite vs. Porcelain Veneers: Decision Making
To ultimately aid you in determining whether to select porcelain or composite veneers, you need to consult with your dentist about your aesthetic goals and how those goals align with other factors relevant to you.
What this means is that you will need to determine which aspects of the different veneers would be most valuable to you. If you are looking for an affordable alternative, then composite veneers would be a good choice.
But if your need for aesthetics is of higher importance or you are looking for the most durable and natural-looking option available, and cost is not a major concern; porcelain veneers will provide you with excellent results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I repair composite veneer or porcelain veneer if they are damaged?
Yes, however the repair methods may vary depending upon whether they are composite or porcelain veneers.
Composite veneers can be fabricated from resin material that can easily be sculpted and polished in the dentist’s chair. Thus, if a composite veneer is chipped or broken, it usually can be repaired in one visit without the need to replace the entire composite veneer. This makes them less expensive and easier to maintain than their porcelain counterparts over time.
Porcelain veneers have greater strength than other types of veneers and are less likely to break. However, if a porcelain veneer does break, it usually cannot be repaired in the same fashion. If a porcelain veneer does break, a dentist must typically create a new impression, send the impression to a dental laboratory so a new porcelain veneer can be fabricated, and then bond the new porcelain veneer to the tooth surface. Therefore, although porcelain veneers are significantly more durable than other types of veneers, if they break, repairs will take longer and will cost more.
What are the costs of composite veneers vs. porcelain veneers?
Composite veneers are much less expensive than porcelain veneers because they do not require any laboratory work, so they can be applied directly to the teeth in one appointment. For those who want to restore their teeth quickly and easily, composite veneers are an excellent choice as an economical method of obtaining an enhanced smile.
Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, are typically more expensive than composite veneers. The cost difference results from the fact that porcelain veneers are made specifically for the patient and their teeth in a dental laboratory. They use advanced materials and processes that require more than one office visit and several steps to complete. Although the cost of porcelain veneers is higher than composite veneers, porcelain veneers can last longer and are more resistant to discolouration than composite veneers, thus making porcelain veneers an excellent investment over time.
Which type of veneers last longer – composite or porcelain?
Porcelain veneers typically have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years due to their durable ceramic composition and resistance to stains. They can appear beautiful for over a decade with proper maintenance before being replaced.
On the other hand, composite veneers last about 7 to 10 years and are more subject to wear, a potential for staining, and small chips than porcelain as the years pass. On the positive side, composite veneers are cheaper and easier to repair if damage occurs. No matter your choice, optimal care including good oral hygiene, refraining from biting hard things, and having regular check-ups with your dentist will help your veneers last even longer than expected.
