Deciding to get a smile makeover is the first step. Once you’ve made this, in my opinion wise, decision, you have options. Don’t get overwhelmed; an experienced cosmetic dentist will be able to guide you in making the best choice for you. That said, when it comes to veneers specifically,
there are two primary types, porcelain and composite. While they both achieve similar aesthetic
results, which type is best for you, your budget, and your smile can depend upon several factors.
Let’s walk through a few of those factors so that you can start making an educated decision about your new smile. So, what’s better, porcelain veneers or composite veneers?
What’s the difference between porcelain and composite veneers?
While they can largely fix the same issues, there is a big difference between porcelain veneers and composite veneers. Namely, they are made out of completely different materials.
Porcelain veneers are incredibly thin sheets of porcelain that are handcrafted in a dental laboratory and designed specifically for you.
Composite veneers are made out of an engineered resin that is applied directly to the tooth surface and shaped by your dentist right in the chair.
Considerations to make when choosing which type of veneers are right for you
All right. You know the difference between the two types of veneers. So, let’s go over what to do with this info. There are four major things to consider when weighing your options:
- Time
- Durability
- Appearance
- Overall cost
Time Concerns
A lot of people are excited about the prospect of enhancing their smile and want it right away.
Composite veneers offer the quickest path to a new smile. Often, composite veneers can be
completed in a single office visit.
Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, typically require two office visits and time for the lab to handcraft your veneers between the appointments.
Durability concerns
Veneers are permanent. Whatever type you choose, because of the tooth preparation process, you will always need something covering your tooth to protect it. That said, porcelain veneers last a lot longer than composite veneers. As a general rule of thumb, with proper hygiene and preventative care, you can expect composite veneers to last from 4 to 8 years and porcelain veneers to last upwards of 15 years.
Of course, accidents do happen, and occasionally veneers get damaged. Of the two, composite veneers are more prone to chipping and staining than their porcelain counterparts. In fact, porcelain is notoriously strong and stain resistant. However, composite veneers can frequently be repaired when they have been damaged, as opposed to the outright replacement required in the unlikely event you damage a porcelain veneer.
Appearance concerns
There is no way around it, if you want the most natural and life-like appearance from your veneers, porcelain is the way to go. Porcelain captures and reflects light in a very similar manner to natural tooth enamel and is highly stain resistant.
Composite veneers are available in a wide range of colors and can be shaded to achieve the smile you desire. However, they do not reflect light quite as naturally as your natural teeth or porcelain. The resin used in composite veneers is also about as susceptible to staining as your natural teeth, meaning you need to stay dedicated to your oral health regimen to keep your smile as bright and vibrant as the day you got your veneers.
Cost concerns
We created a whole post about the cost of veneers that you can go check out. But, to be frank, the upfront cost of porcelain veneers is greater than it is for composite resin veneers. This can be attributed to the additional time and resources required to fabricate porcelain veneers. The ability to complete resin veneers chairside and in a single sitting contributes to their lower cost. However, when you take a long-term look at the cost of maintenance and replacement of the two options, the cost frequently evens out over the course of time.