If you’re looking to transform the look and feel of your smile with dental veneers, the dentist will present you with two options: porcelain veneers or composite veneers. So, what’s the difference between the two?
There are benefits and drawbacks to both. Ultimately, it comes down to some external factors to make the right decision, such as affordability, treatment level, and the number of veneers you require.
Let’s take a look at both porcelain and composite veneers individually.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells that are placed over the front surface of your teeth. This idea is to hide any niggling imperfections such as cracks and chips, misalignment, gaps and discolourations with a brand-new smile.
The dentist will take an impression of your teeth to ensure you’re a good fit for veneers. The images mean the dentist can take the time out to ensure the veneers are moulded accordingly to suit your smiling needs.
How Does Porcelain Veneers Procedure Work?
The dentist will remove a small part of your enamel so that there is enough space for the veneer to bond to the front surface. Whilst the porcelain veneers are being prepared, temporary veneers will be applied until the permanent ones arrive. Once they arrive, you’ll be invited to a final appointment to cement the veneers in place, and a special light is used to harden the veneer to the tooth.
What Are Composite Veneers, And How Do They Work?
Composite veneers are a cost-effective alternative to porcelain veneers and are a worthwhile option if you’ve minor chips and discolouration. The tooth-coloured filling material is matched to your tooth shade and applied in layers on the tooth surface. Before they’re applied, the dentist will apply an adhesive glue, so the composite resin sticks to your teeth. Finally, the layers of the composite are bonded to the front surface.
Porcelain vs Composite – Which Is Better?
Veneers, in general, restore the missing smiling confidence you’ve been looking for. They aren’t very noticeable as well to the public!
Let’s view the benefits and drawbacks of both porcelain and composite veneers:
Porcelain Veneers – Benefits
- Stronger and durable
- Lifespan lasts longer with strong oral hygiene (a minimum of ten years or more)
- Highly stain resistant
- It matches your natural smile
Porcelain Veneers – Drawbacks
- Unrepairable and would require replacements which can cost more
- Treatment is split between three sessions
- More expensive compared to composite veneers
Composite Veneers – Benefits
- Treatment is complete in one visit
- An affordable option compared to porcelain veneers
- Repairable if chips and cracks appear
- It doesn’t require special maintenance
Composite Veneers – Drawbacks
- Not resistant to staining
- Lifespan is shorter than porcelain veneers (around eight years)
- Not as natural-looking compared to porcelain
- Not very durable compared to porcelain
Are Veneers Worth It?
It is difficult to tell if you’ve fitted veneers in or not, and that is a bonus for you if you don’t want to be judged about your smile. A perfect smile is unimaginable without dentistry treatment, and this goes for veneers. If you prefer not to repair your natural teeth, then veneers can help. Although, it is important that you continue to perform strong oral hygiene for both your veneers and the natural teeth underneath them. If the natural teeth begin to decay, the bonding can lose, causing the veneers to fall out. This is only anticipated if you don’t look after your veneers.
If you’re seeking to understand more about porcelain or composite veneers, or you’re ready to transform your smile, contact your local dentist for veneers treatment today!