Before we begin to dissect the differences between composite and porcelain veneers, we need to first understand what veneers are and what role they play in our oral health.
Continue reading to learn more about dental veneers.
Dental veneers are instruments of aesthetic and restorative dentistry. They are thin shells that are used to cover the front teeth. But why do we need them?
This is because, at times, your teeth can get subjected to stains or discoloration, which can create a “yellow smile.” As a result of this, you will lose the confidence to interact in a social setting, let alone smile with confidence. In addition to this, other problems like chips or cracks in the tooth, misshapen or misaligned teeth, and gaps between the teeth can impede your ability to smile with style. This is where dental veneers come into play.
Dental veneers are one of the most popularly preferred cosmetic dental treatments amongst patients across the globe because they provide you with a lasting and effective smile in no time.
Hence, if you want to get that Hollywood smile you desire, then dental veneers are the best solution for you. This smile makeover treatment will help whiten your teeth when teeth-whitening procedures are no longer an option.
However, there are two types of dental veneers to choose from composite veneers and porcelain veneers. You may be given the choice to select a specific type of dental veneer that best suits your dental needs.
Keep reading to find out the key differences between both types of dental veneers.
Composite Veneers:
Composite veneers are an important tool in cosmetic dentistry. They consist of a composite resin material that is bonded to the front surface of your teeth to make their shape more symmetrical and their colour more appealing. While there are a plethora of shades and colours of composite bonding to choose from, the dentist will recommend a shade that best matches your tooth colour, thus enabling you to possess a naturally bright smile.
Are veneers customizable?
Of course! All dental veneers are customizable and malleable as well, especially composite veneers. At Micris Dental Clinic, we have a team of proficiently skilled cosmetic dentists that will mould and shape the composite bonding so that it aligns with the natural contours of your teeth, thus giving you a more innate yet immaculate smile.
Malleability
Since they are comprised of composite resin materials, they can be easily sculpted to match the unique contours of your teeth.
Enamel Preservation
Compared to other cosmetic dental treatments like porcelain veneers or dental crowns, composite veneer procedures require a minimal amount of tooth enamel to be removed.
Reduced Treatment Time:
The treatment time is relatively short when compared to other restorative dental procedures. This composite bonding material used in the treatment is strong and malleable. Thus, the entire treatment can be completed in just one dental sitting.
Resolve all types of cosmetic dental issues
The range of repairs and fixtures that composite veneers entail is wide. This means that you can get any of your aesthetic problems like cracked or chipped teeth, discoloration, misshapen teeth, etc., fixed with the aid of a simple yet effective cosmetic bonding treatment like composite dental veneers.
Simple to replace
Another great advantage of composite veneers is that damaged ones can easily be substituted with fresh ones. This means that, if your veneers are cracked, your cosmetic dentist can quickly replace them with a new set of tooth-coloured veneers, restoring your smile.
Procedure:
Listed below are the steps that dictate the application of composite veneers:
Prepping the teeth
The composite resin bonding material is then secured to match the colour of your natural tooth or teeth.
Bonding Material Application
Once the cosmetic dentists have obtained the composite veneers, they will carefully bond this composite material to your tooth. If required, the dentist will further reshape the veneers to give your teeth a more familiar appearance.
Hardening the Bonds
After the composite veneers have been placed on your teeth, the dentist will proceed to use a special light that functions as an apparatus to strengthen the composite resin material that binds to your teeth.
Finishing Details
After the veneers have been fitted to your teeth and the bonding has hardened, the dentist will smooth and polish your new set of teeth to give them a more shiny and sleek appearance.
Who is Eligible for Composite Veneers?
Provided below are some of the pre-requisite criteria concerning your dental health that must be met to determine you as an eligible candidate for composite veneers:
- To get veneers, your teeth and gums must be healthy. If you have any dental infections or gum disease prior to the treatment, you may be ineligible for composite veneers.
- If you have the habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, we are sorry to inform you that you cannot be eligible for the composite veneers’ treatment. You will have to correct this poor dental habit before you embark upon any similar cosmetic dental procedure.
In general, if you have poor oral hygiene, you will be unable to participate in any cosmetic and restorative dental treatments, let alone a composite veneers procedure.
Porcelain Veneers:
Similar to composite veneers, porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells that are used to cover your irregular teeth. Porcelain veneers, like faux nails, can be tailored and sculpted to match the exact shape of your teeth. However, the key difference here is that the material used to bond the teeth is made of porcelain.
So how do porcelain veneers work?
While porcelain veneers serve the same purpose as composite veneers, i.e., to conceal the imperfections of your teeth, they are slightly larger than the latter. These veneers gently overhang the borders of your teeth, allowing them to better conceal gaps and margins in your teeth.
A cosmetic dentist and a dental ceramist work together to create high-quality, custom-fitted dental veneers. These aesthetic dental appliances are created in a dental laboratory. At Micris Dental Clinic, we have an in-house laboratory that is equipped with cutting-edge technology. This enables our cosmetic dentists to provide you with the excellent dental restoration care you deserve.
The functions of porcelain veneers include:
- Altering the size of your teeth
- Modifying the shape of each tooth
- Correcting the natural shade of your teeth
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers:
Covering Up Teeth Imperfections
Just like composite dental veneers, porcelain veneers too can cover chips, cracks, and discolouration in your teeth. With the help of these veneers, you can interact in a social setting with more ease since they brighten your smile while enhancing the natural strength of your teeth.
Appear and feel natural
Porcelain veneers are virtually invisible to the naked eye. Since they resemble the innate look of your teeth, you can now experience comfort knowing that no one is staring at your teeth. With our specially crafted porcelain veneers, you can now beam confidently.
Minimally Invasive
When compared to other tooth restoration services like dental bridges, dental implants, and crowns, the application of dental veneers is less invasive. In fact, due to the simplicity of this dental procedure, you may not even require anaesthesia.
Say goodbye to Discoloration:
Did you know that porcelain veneers are resistant to staining? It’s true.
Owing to the brilliant composition of the porcelain material that is used to bond to the surface of your tooth, you can be free from the fear of concerns like discolouration or staining. You can now consume your favourite stain-causing beverages and foods with ease.
Easy to maintain
Since porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, they require less maintenance when compared to other dental appliances. All you need to do is ensure that you practise proper dental hygiene. In addition to this, owing to the high durability offered by porcelain veneers, you can enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile for a long time.
To make sure your veneers stay strong and durable, make sure to get regular dental check-ups to prevent any occurrences of tooth decay and cavities.
Procedure
Enamel Extraction
Once the consultation is completed and the treatment plan is discussed with the patient, the dentist will proceed to remove a meagre amount of enamel from the patient’s teeth so that the porcelain veneers fit well over the teeth.
Captured Impressions
Next, to provide you with custom-fitted dental veneers, the dentist will capture a 3D rendition of your teeth. This digital impression is then forwarded to the dental lab for veneer modelling. During this stage, you will also select the colour of your veneers.
Placement of Temporary Veneers:
Since porcelain veneers take several days to be built, your dentist will provide you with temporary veneers in the meantime.
Placement of Porcelain Veneers
Once the porcelain veneers are ready to be installed, the dentist will bond the dental appliance to your teeth. During this process, they may perform a few alterations to the veneers to perfectly fit the shape of your teeth.
Who is the perfect candidate for Porcelain Veneers?
You are eligible for porcelain veneers if you face the following dental issues:
- Your teeth have a lot of cracks and chips
- Your teeth are stained
- Old restorations and fillings have impeded the quality of your smile
- You have an unbalanced or narrow smile line
- There are gaps between your teeth
- Overcrowding of the teeth
- You have bite issues
Composite vs Porcelain Veneers: The Verdict:
Now that you have a general idea of what each type of veneer is and what it brings to the table, you can get a better grasp on the key differences between them. Listed below are some of the factors that distinguish one type of veneer from the other:
Treatment Time
Also known as same-day veneers, composite veneers can be done within a single dental sitting. As a result, the treatment time is relatively short. However, porcelain veneers would require a minimum of two visits to the dentist’s office. Moreover, since porcelain veneers take time to be built, the average treatment time could span a few weeks.
Durability
In terms of durability, composite veneers can last only for 5 to 7 years, even with proper dental care. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, can last anywhere between 10 and 20 years.
Aesthetics
Wondering how both veneers would look on you? Let us enlighten you.
If you need a natural-looking smile, then porcelain veneers are the way to go. This is because, since the proclaim material has more translucent properties, it can mimic the look of your natural teeth. Although composite veneers enhance your aesthetic function, they cannot deliver the same natural-like appearance offered by porcelain.
Cost
There are only slight differences between the costs of composite and porcelain veneers. While porcelain veneers are a little on the high end of the cost spectrum, composite veneers are relatively more affordable. However, due to their limited durability, composite veneers may be required to be replaced over time, so the cost of both cosmetic dental treatments is equal.
Ultimately, it is you who must decide which dental treatment best suits your teeth. Keeping in mind your aesthetic goals, speak with your dentist about your expectations and concerns regarding the dental treatments at hand. Here at Micris Dental Clinic, we have a catalogue of aesthetic and restorative dental professionals that can help you achieve your dream smile.
Contact us if you are ready to start your veneer treatment today. Our dentists will aid you in resolving your concerns and picking the right type of veneer that fits your dental needs.
To learn more about our services, please visit our website.
