Composite Veneers vs. Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic dental treatment that can completely transform the appearance of teeth, particularly the prominently visible front teeth, overhauling a mundane smile and restoring its balance and glow. Veneers can be made of composite resin materials, or they can be made of porcelain. Each of these materials can dramatically enhance the appearance of your smile, but there are some substantial differences between the two types of dental veneers. Researching your choices can help you make a decision based on the factors most important to you, and your dentist can review each option with you in greater detail and address any questions or concerns you might have.
The key advantages of composite veneers over porcelain are their cost, and their convenience. Porcelain veneers tend to cost at least twice as much as their composite resin counterparts, and cosmetic dental treatments like veneers are rarely covered by insurance, making cost a particularly important factor. Considering an average cost per tooth of anywhere from $250 to $1,500 for each composite veneer, the total cost of a smile redesign can add up rapidly. Some composite veneers can also be fabricated and placed on the same day, during a single procedure, making them more convenient and more affordable than veneers that are crafted in an off-site lab.
Also known as composite bonding, these direct composite veneers are sculpted directly onto the teeth and cured between layers, shaped and shaved throughout the procedure to create ideal proportions before being polished to a lifelike sheen. Because this treatment only takes a couple of hours and requires minimal tooth preparation, the composite bonding procedure is far less invasive and time-consuming than the procedure for crafting and placing porcelain veneers.
Despite these advantages of composite over porcelain, there is no contest when it comes to durability: porcelain wins by a landslide. Composite resin materials have improved since their introduction to the dental field, and they will continue to do so, but porcelain remains the far stronger material. When maintained properly, porcelain veneers can realistically last as long as 15 years, while it’s not uncommon for composite veneers to degrade in as few as five years. Basically, porcelain veneers might cost twice as much as their composite counterparts, but they can also be expected to last at least twice as long; it doesn’t take a degree in economics for that to make sense.
Additionally, dentists and the general public tend to agree that porcelain veneers are more natural-looking than composite materials, providing the same sort of natural translucence as tooth enamel and appearing highly lifelike when compared with the adjacent natural teeth. Because of the nature of the material and the glaze applied to porcelain veneers, they are extremely resistant to fracture and can be used to address both cosmetic and physical defects, including misalignment, significant discoloration, gaps and other spacing concerns, and gummy smiles. In order to place the most natural-looking porcelain veneers, however, dentists have to shave off layers of existing tooth enamel, permanently altering the surfaces of the teeth; this means that veneers have to be replaced when they wear out or if they break so that the teeth stay protected and safe.
In cases of more severe aesthetic concerns, this consideration is often outweighed by the satisfaction of a renewed, confident smile. In short, composite veneers can be a cost-effective solution, and porcelain veneers provide natural and durable results. Ask your dentist for the details and find what’s best for you.
