Porcelain Veneers Vs. Composite Veneers: Which Is Better?

Posted by Dental Pro on March 23rd, 2021

In Australia, 60% of adults believe a good smile gives them confidence, but 55% of Australians feel self-conscious about their teeth. No wonder an increasing number of adults are getting orthodontic treatments. Specifically, over the last five to ten years, cosmetic dentistry has risen in popularity as individuals are looking to dentistry to give themselves an extra confidence boost, whether for regular days at the office, special date nights, or even their own wedding day.

Veneers have become a go-to option to achieve a beautiful and natural-looking smile. All dental veneers are custom-designed to permanently fit over teeth and improve the visual aesthetics of a smile, enhancing the colour, shape and overall appearance of teeth. Veneers completely conceal a patient’s original dental imperfections like chips, stains, cracks, gaps, overlapping teeth and many other common dental flaws.

There are two primary materials used to create teeth veneers; porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain fixed to the tooth’s outer surface; on the other hand, composite veneers are engineered resin, fixed to the outer surface. The only negative of porcelain and composite veneers is that this process is irreversible, although it is rare for someone to want their veneers removed.

Dental veneers require some specialised dentistry skills, and not all regular dentists are veneer dentists or offer dental veneer services. Luckily, at DentalPro Sydney, our professional orthodontists are also skilled cosmetics dentists and experienced veneer dentists who expertly focus on the aesthetics of your smile, as well as functional aspects.

Depending on the personal problems you want to fix, the type of look you want, your budget and some other considerations will depend on your perfect fit. So how do you know which type is right for you? The following are the most important considerations when choosing between the two teeth veneer materials.

Although do not worry if you are still undecided – this process is complicated for first-time clients, which is why you can trust DentalPro expert dentists. Our experienced dentists will determine whether a composite or porcelain veneer is the right solution for your personal dental issues and aesthetic goals.

Composite Veneers at DentalPro

The most significant benefit of composite veneers is that they are significantly cheaper then porcelain veneers, which is an essential factor if your treatment is not covered by insurance. If you are concerned about prices, check out Dental Pro’s special offers and flexible payment plans. Another advantage composite veneers have over porcelain veneers is the treatment takes half the time.

Direct composite veneers are usually a same-day treatment, as the tooth-shade resin is applied directly onto a patient’s teeth and shaped by the cosmetic dentist. The resin is then hardened by a high-intensity light, sculpted until the desired outcome is formed and then polished to enhance a more naturing looking tooth appearance. In comparison, porcelain veneers take at least two sessions to complete.

Finally, composite is slightly more reversible than porcelain, as composite veneers require fewer alterations to your natural teeth. Therefore, if a patient decides to remove or replace their composite veneers, the original teeth are not as distorted. In contrast, porcelain veneers require reshaping of a patient’s natural teeth in order to fit the veneer.

Porcelain Veneers at DentalPro

Porcelain is considered the best material for veneers in the industry, and this is because no other material can compare with the durability of porcelain. Well-maintained porcelain veneers can last 10 to 15 years, compared to the five-to-seven-year average lifespan of composites.

Durability is an essential factor to determine which option has the best value for money. While the resin veneers are a less expensive alternative to the popular porcelain veneers, the material is weaker and therefore does not always last as long as porcelain veneers. So, in terms of long durability, porcelain veneers are a much more cost-effective option for a perfect smile.

Aesthetically porcelain veneers are also considered the best option for the most natural and tooth-like aesthetic. Innately the porcelain material mimics the translucent and light-reflecting shine of naturally healthy teeth. In addition, with technology advancements, porcelain has a broader range of shades available, allowing you to achieve the ideal whiteness you want without the hassle of teeth whitening.

Simultaneously, composite veneers are more porous and are more susceptible to staining and require polishing to achieve a tooth-like aesthetic that doesn’t quite compare to natural shinning teeth. Another benefit of porcelain veneers is they have a more substantial alignment than composite veneers.

The Final Decision: Composite or Porcelain?

The most significant determining factor between the two materials is whether you want a cheaper solution, where composite veneers are recommended. Or, if you want a more durable and more aesthetic solution, then porcelain veneers will give you regret-free results.

Although, at the end of the day, when completed by a professional cosmetic dentist – who has a lot of experience in composite veneers and porcelain veneer – any material of dental veneers will provide you with a fantastic smile enhancement and make you more confident in your everyday life.