Composite and porcelain veneers are two popular options for a smile makeover. Both types improve the appearance of your teeth, but they differ in fundamental ways, including cost, durability, and maintenance. Understanding these differences will help you make an informed decision based on what you’re looking to achieve with your new smile.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin shells placed on the front surface of your teeth to improve their appearance. They address issues like discolouration, minor gaps, chipped teeth, and uneven tooth shape. Two types dominate cosmetic dentistry: porcelain and composite veneers.
Both enhance your smile, but the materials used—composite resin and dental porcelain—differ in characteristics such as stain resistance, strength, and aesthetics.
Advantages of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are made from high-quality porcelain, designed to resemble the natural transparency and shine of tooth enamel. During your appointment, a dentist will custom-fit porcelain veneers over your teeth. These veneers can improve the colour, shape, and size of your teeth, giving you a more polished, natural smile.
Why choose porcelain veneers? Their strength and durability stand out, as they last longer and are more resistant to staining from common culprits like coffee, red wine, and acidic foods. Porcelain veneers can last 10-15 years with good oral hygiene—using toothpaste, mouthwash, regular tooth brushing, and flossing.
However, porcelain veneers often require the removal of some tooth enamel to ensure a proper fit. The process typically needs two or more visits to the dentist: one for the tooth preparation and impressions and another for placing the veneers.
Advantages of Composite Veneers
Composite veneers are crafted from composite resin. They involve applying and shaping the material directly onto your teeth, providing immediate results. Unlike porcelain veneers, composite bonding can be completed in just one visit, saving time and preserving more of your natural tooth structure.
Composite veneers have lower upfront costs vs porcelain veneers, making them an attractive option. However, they are less durable and more prone to chipping and staining. Patients who regularly consume beverages like coffee, cola, or red wine may find that composite veneers lose their shine faster than porcelain.
Differences Between Composite and Porcelain Veneers
Composite vs Porcelain Cost
Porcelain veneers are more expensive, reaching up to $2,500 per tooth. In contrast, composite veneers are more affordable, typically ranging from $500 to $1,500 per tooth.
Porcelain vs Composite Durability and Longevity
Porcelain veneers have a longer lifespan, up to 15 years or more, thanks to their durability and resistance to wear. Composite veneers require more frequent maintenance, usually lasting five to seven years before repairs or replacements are needed.
Porcelain vs Composite Veneers Stain Resistance:
Porcelain veneers are far more stain-resistant than composite resin veneers. Porcelain remains unaffected by wine, coffee, and other staining agents. Composite veneers can discolour and may need polishing treatments for upkeep.
Dental Treatment Appointments
Composite veneers can be applied in one visit, making them a convenient option if you’re seeking quick results. Conversely, porcelain veneers require at least two trips to the dentist due to the laboratory fabrication process involved.
Before placing porcelain veneers, your dentist will evaluate your teeth, removing a small portion of tooth enamel to achieve a precise fit. Impressions are taken and sent to a lab to create customised veneers. While waiting for the final versions to be crafted, temporary veneers may be applied. When ready, the porcelain veneers are permanently bonded to the surface of your teeth. This is known as dental bonding.
Composite veneers offer a much faster process. The dentist applies the resin composite directly on your teeth. This is also known as direct composite veneers (meaning direct application) or composite bonding. It requires little to no preparation and doesn’t demand the lengthy mold creation process in an external lab.
A special light hardens the composite material, then polished to give the veneers a smooth, natural finish.
Porcelain Veneers and Composite Veneers Both Require Maintenance
Both type of veneers must be cared for with daily tooth brushing, dental floss, and routine dental check-ups. Composite veneers may require more polishing or repairs due to their tendency to chip or dull faster than porcelain.
To maximise the lifespan of your veneers, follow a strict oral hygiene routine:
Tooth brushing: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid abrasive toothpaste, which may damage the surface of your veneers, especially if they are composite.
Dental Floss: Clean between teeth regularly to remove food particles and dental plaque, which can lead to dental issues like gingivitis or periodontal disease.
Regular Dental Check-Ups: Maintain regular check-ups for professional cleanings and plaque removal. Your dentist can also check for early signs of tooth decay around your veneers.
Avoid Stain-Causing Foods: Both veneers require care when eating stain-prone foods or drinking beverages like wine or coffee. Porcelain veneers resist stains more efficiently, but avoiding exposure is still good.
Still On the Fence Between Porcelain or Composite Veneers? These FAQs May Help
Can you whiten composite veneers?
Neither composite resin nor porcelain veneers can be whitened; attempting to bleach them could result in uneven colour. If you’re noticing discolouration, see your dentist. Professional cleaning may remove surface stains, but severely discoloured veneers might need to be replaced.
Do veneers stain?
Yes, veneers can stain, especially if your diet includes foods with strong pigments like curries, berries, and beetroot. Drinks containing tannic acid, such as coffee, tea, and red wine, also contribute to veneer staining. Smoking increases the risk of discolouration due to the harmful contents of cigarette smoke.
Does getting veneers hurt?
Getting veneers usually doesn’t hurt. Dentists numb the area during the procedure, and any discomfort afterward is typically mild and temporary. If your teeth are a little sensitive, use sensitive toothpaste when brushing.
What do teeth look like under veneers?
Under veneers, the tooth will appear slightly smaller and prepared for the veneer placement. While it may look odd by itself, veneers are designed to fully cover and enhance the appearance of the tooth, giving you a confident, natural-looking smile.
Which Veneer Option Will You Choose?
Before deciding between composite veneers and porcelain veneers, book a consultation at Designer Smiles. We are the #1 dentist in Sydney for both composite and porcelain teeth bonding.
Both types of veneers offer tremendous improvements in the appearance of your teeth and can provide a confidence-boosting smile as part of your cosmetic dental restoration journey. Our experienced dentists will help you choose between resin or porcelain and guide you through the process.
Your dentist can show you a digital simulation of how your smile will look after getting veneers. This is done by taking a 3D picture of your teeth and then using computer software to simulate the placement of veneers.
Look at our case study video for a patient with composite veneers to see the transformation we’ve helped our clients achieve and how passionate we are about our dental work.
