Are you considering getting dental veneers? If so, you might not be aware of your options, or maybe you’re simply trying to figure out which option is best for you – Porcelain or Composite? Dental veneers can help improve the aesthetics of your teeth and is the first step to achieving the smile you have always wanted.

Porcelain and Composite materials are the most common choices when it comes to veneers. Luckily, you can rely on your professional cosmetic dentist to provide some insight or answer any questions you have about these two materials. The best way to know which one is best for you is simply through your own individual needs and the factors that matter the most to you, including cost, time of treatment, etc.

Pros of Porcelain Veneers

There are advantages to both veneer materials but one that doesn’t even come close to competing with porcelain is durability. If you want a strong material, porcelain will not let you down. In fact, if they are maintained properly, they could last up to 15 years, whereas composites have an average lifespan of up to 7 years. This is definitely a factor to consider when contemplating veneers. Of course, you will notice the price of composites is less than porcelain, and the lifespan is why.

In addition to the admirable lifespan, porcelain veneers are highly recommended by dentists for those that want a ‘natural’ appearance for their teeth. The quality of porcelain is similar to that of regular tooth enamel. One of the reasons many people choose porcelain veneers is due to the stain and chip-resistance feature. That’s because the material, as well as the glaze applied after, is very strong.

This is not the case for composite veneers, and you’ll need to be aware of what you eat and drink to avoid staining. To achieve the appearance of normal teeth with composites, they will need to be polished also.

Porcelain veneers do have a more involved procedure and many times require the patient to wear temporaries while the veneers are being sculpted. On the upside, more dentists have started utilizing technologies that allow for on-site fabrication which can significantly speed up this process. Therefore, if you’re contemplating porcelain veneers you might check with your dentist to see if they use any of this recent technology. Even if they don’t, that will be something you will need to consider.

For patients that have severe oral concerns, porcelain veneers are an ideal option versus composite. For example, if you have spacing issues or serious discoloration or staining, it may be harder to treat with composite veneers and in this case, porcelain veneers would be your only option. Schedule a consultation with your dentist to evaluate your oral health and discuss your veneer options.

Pros of Composite Veneers

The largest pro of composite veneers over porcelain would be the price. You can expect to spend twice as much on porcelain as you will for composite. Many times, this is the most important factor to those considering veneers. Especially when your insurance doesn’t offer coverage for veneers and the expense comes straight from your pocket. A smile makeover can get pricey due to the cost of each tooth. Composites typically vary between $250 and $1,500 a tooth.

Another pro to composites is the timeframe. These can often be fabricated while you wait, which means it’s a same-day treatment and you aren’t having to wait for them to be fabricated. Rather than being sculpted in off-site lab, direct composite veneers are sculpted ‘on’ your teeth. This allows the dentist to shape and sculpt them in-house. Once done, the resin is polished to produce a more natural appearance. This process is typically less invasive and obviously, done faster than porcelain veneers.

One of the largest advantages of composites over veneers is the ability to remove and replace them when necessary or as needed. With porcelain veneers, your natural teeth are reshaped to fit the veneer. This is not the case with composite veneers. Click here to learn more about which option would be best for your smile.

How Do You Choose the Best One?

Bottom line is that dental veneers are one of the best (and easiest) ways to radically upgrade your smile.  Also, alongside teeth whitening, it’s one of the most popular procedures your cosmetic dentist can provide.  Pricing for veneers ranges widely, depending on how many teeth are getting upgraded.  Sometimes the treatment can end up being quite expensive which is why a consultation with your dentist is the best way to get started.  Even though it might cost a lot, having a smile that you love to show off will likely be worth it in the long run as your quality of life may see a big increase.  That’s why, in terms of bang-for-buck, dental veneers are hard to beat.

Now comes the hard part, figuring out how many, which type, and then what style of veneer will be best for you.  Unfortunately, there really is no one way to decide. It really just comes down to your personal preference and a consultation with your dentist. One may be a better option based on your oral health or personal needs. If your priority is a cost-effective option, then composite veneers are your best option. If you aren’t concerned about cost and are more concerned about appearance, porcelain would be a good fit.

Once you’ve chosen the material, the style comes next, and this is where the advice of your dentist is worth its weight in gold.  One tip is to make sure you don’t stray too far from your natural smile.  You don’t want to not be able to recognize the person in the mirror.  It’s better to opt for a natural, classy approach and work within the existing framework of your smile, just make it the best it can be.

Regardless of the option you choose, the results will be fantastic and produce the beautiful smile you’ve been waiting for.