Whether you are looking to fix dental issues or make your teeth more beautiful, one of the most common and excellent options as a solution for these would be the use of veneers. There are actually two types of veneers — porcelain and composite veneers. Both are made from different materials, but still serve the same purpose of enhancing your smile. They are both effective for making cosmetic improvements to damaged teeth. And knowing which type is right for you comes down to identifying each of their unique qualities and features.
Porcelain and composite veneers are efficient treatments for common dental issues like cracked, crooked, gapped, chipped, or otherwise damaged or discolored teeth. They can alter the size, shape, and color of your teeth, making your smile appear more attractive and symmetrical.
Porcelain veneers are tiny porcelain shells that are affixed to the tooth’s surface, while for the composite ones, engineered resin is adhered to the outside of its surface. The composite material covers your natural teeth and helps give them a more appealing shape. Due to the fact that you do not need to completely cover the tooth with resin, composite veneers are perfect for repairing minor chips or fissures in the teeth.
Though they have their own different unique properties, both of them are designed to whiten or match your teeth and enhance your overall smile. They are actually the most commonly used materials in the process of veneer fabrication. Moreover, both products can expertly reshape your smile when used by a skilled cosmetic dentist. However, identifying which type is right for you all depends on your individual requirements and the elements that are most significant to you.
Material and Aesthetics
Composite veneers are manufactured by molding resin material into the proper size and shape, then applying it directly to the tooth. On the other hand, with porcelain, they are created from a thin, translucent porcelain substance that is bonded to the tooth’s surface. For a natural-looking finish, both materials are made to match the color of your teeth. The distinct differences between the two types of veneers would be composite being a removable type of veneers. The porcelain ones tend to be more permanent.
The porcelain’s translucent qualities enable the veneer to catch light in a manner that is very comparable to that of a genuine tooth. Porcelain is superior, yet composite resin still has a beautiful appearance. The stain resistance of porcelain veneers is a wonderful advantage. You might no longer need to whiten your natural teeth if you get this kind of veneer on the majority of your upper and lower teeth. Like genuine teeth, composite resin will become stained. Another thing to keep in mind is that while composite veneers are, porcelain veneers cannot be removed if you change your mind.
How Long They Last
If you are looking to fix mild to moderate damage like chips, cracks, or stains, then composite veneers are the better option. And with porcelain veneers, they are custom-designed, and require an impression of your teeth. But then, they are a more long-term solution for fixing cosmetic issues and for enhancing your smile.
Furthermore, even though porcelain is delicate, it is incredibly durable once it is cemented to a healthy tooth. However, it cannot be fixed after it has been damaged; rather, it must be replaced. Composite is sturdy and resistant to chipping, but is actually not as strong as porcelain. But then, it can be fixed if it chips. And unlike composite veneers, porcelain ones are designed to last anywhere from 10 to 20 years. A composite veneer can actually be put in a single day. And, on average, lasts between 5 and 10 years, sometimes even longer.
Cost
The initial cost of porcelain veneers is higher than that of composite. Porcelain implantation requires additional time, knowledge, and resources. The dental labs that dentists use to produce restorations are expensive and are carefully chosen. However, if you compare the frequency of replacement or repair for porcelain against composite, the cost may eventually even out.
Composite veneers typically cost less than porcelain veneers because the resin used to create them is less expensive. They are, however, frequently less enduring than porcelain ones, so you might need to repair them after a few years.
Time and Process
Composite veneers are easier to apply on the teeth, if the two were to be compared for how long dentists take in installing them. The reason for this is that they can be completed chairside within the same visit. And for the most natural appearance, your dentist will match the resin to the color of your neighboring teeth. Your teeth are coated with resin, which is then polished after curing. You can leave that day sporting a brand-new smile!
Veneers made of porcelain normally require at least two visits. A very small layer of your teeth will be removed by your dentist. They will then take an impression of the teeth that will receive veneers and send the mold to a lab. You can put on temporary veneers while you wait for your veneers to be made. Your porcelain veneers will be glued to your teeth with cement when you return for your second appointment.
Key Takeaway
No matter what type of veneers you choose, may it be porcelain or composite veneers, they both can provide you with a better and a more improved set of teeth. Composite veneers are a quick, painless, and minimally intrusive way to achieve the smile of your dreams. If you are younger and hesitant to commit to porcelain veneers, they may be a suitable option because they are affordable and the procedure is reversible. They work wonders at fixing teeth that have cracks or chips as well.
And for people who want a more lasting solution, porcelain veneers are fantastic. They stay longer and are typically more durable and stain-resistant. It might even appear more natural than the composite ones.
