Are you facing the dilemma of choosing between composite veneers vs porcelain veneers?
Whether you’re looking to fix a minor cosmetic correction or wanting a more extensive smile makeover, veneers may be the ideal solution. There are two types of dental veneers – composite and porcelain and deciding which type is right for you boils down to several factors.
Carry on reading to learn more about the differences before scheduling an appointment with the experienced dental team at Beyond Infinity Dental.
Let’s kick off by discussing when dentists use veneers.
What problems can dental veneers fix?
Composite and porcelain veneers are both versatile treatments that can correct several dental problems, including teeth that are: 
- Heavily stained
- Gapped
- Chipped or cracked
- Mildly misaligned
- Misshapen
- Worn or uneven
Now let’s look at the difference between the two cosmetic treatments.
How composite veneers and porcelain veneers differ?
Composite veneers are hand-crafted by a dentist directly onto the outer surface of the tooth using composite resin. Yes, the same tooth-coloured material that dentists use for dental fillings.
On the other hand, porcelain veneers are digitally designed and manufactured in a dental lab and applied indirectly.
Composite veneers vs porcelain veneers – Treatment time
The quicker of the two treatments is composite veneers. This is because they can be done chairside in a single appointment. The dentist colour-matches the resin to the surrounding teeth for a seamless finish. The composite resin is applied to your teeth, shaped by the dentist, cured with a special light, and polished to resemble a natural tooth. You can walk out the very same day with a brand new smile.
Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, require at least two dental visits. The dentist will prepare the teeth by removing a thin layer of tooth enamel. This ensures the veneers sit flush within the smile and also helps them to adhere.
The dentist will then take an impression of the teeth receiving veneers and send a mould to the dental lab. While you are waiting for your custom veneers to be fabricated, the dentist will fit temporary veneers to protect the teeth from infection.
When you return for your second visit, the dentist will ‘dry’ fit your veneers to check for size and fit. Any alterations will be carried out, and your bite will be checked before the dentist attaches the veneers with dental cement.
How about aesthetics?
When comparing composite veneers vs porcelain veneers, porcelain is the most natural because it has translucent properties that allow it to catch the light in a similar way to tooth enamel. While composite resin looks excellent, it cannot match porcelain.
Another benefit of porcelain is that it is stain resistant. If you were to opt for this type of veneer on both your upper and lower teeth, it could mean no more teeth whitening treatments ever again. Unfortunately, composite veneers stain just like natural teeth.
Another thing to note is that porcelain veneers cannot be reversed, whereas composite veneers can. If you’re not quite sure about veneers, then having composite veneers might be a good way to test out the water.
How long do dental veneers last?
This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on various factors such as the skill of the cosmetic dentist, their experience, and even the location of the dental clinic.
Lifestyle habits such as grinding the teeth or biting the nails, and drinking stain-inducing beverages, can also affect the life span of dental veneers.
On average, however, composite veneers can be expected to last between four to eight years. Conversely, with proper care, porcelain veneers should last between ten and fifteen years before they need replacement.
While porcelain is relatively fragile, it is incredibly durable once it’s cemented to a healthy tooth. Composite veneers are durable but not as strong as porcelain and more prone to chip or crack.
However, if a porcelain veneer were to crack or break, it could not be repaired, and a dental lab would have to create a new one. If a person chips a composite veneer, it can easily be repaired by a dentist.
Composite veneers vs porcelain veneers – cost
The initial cost of porcelain veneers is higher than that of composite veneers. That’s because they’re made from a high-quality biocompatible material that is safe, completely customisable, and personalised for patients down to the very last detail.
The lab’s dentists choose to work with are carefully chosen to ensure patients experience the best outcome, and naturally, this comes at a price.
However, if you were to consider the number of times you may have to replace composite veneers and the cost, this could, over time, even out with the cost of porcelain veneers.
What about maintenance? What’s involved with both types of veneers?
Both composite and porcelain veneers have similar maintenance requirements. Firstly, you need to be committed to maintaining good oral hygiene with daily brushing and flossing, mouthwash, and regular dental check-ups and cleanings.
Secondly, avoid chomping down on hard ice or boiled sweets. Like natural teeth, this habit can cause veneers to crack or chip. For the same reason, it’s vital not to use your teeth as tools for removing bottle tops or tearing open packaging.
Finally, you’ll need to address any ongoing issues like gum disease or teeth grinding (bruxism) that can damage the veneers. Not only does bruxism wear away natural tooth enamel, but it can also wear down veneers over time.
Hopefully, this comparison of composite veneers vs porcelain veneers will help you reach a better-informed decision. If you’re still unsure, our dentists will be happy to discuss your best options.
Why not schedule a veneers consultation with Beyond Infinity Dental. Our principal dentist, Dr Jack Yang, is very experienced in veneers and uses Smile Design software to involve patients in their treatment from the outset.
If you’re concerned about the price of dental veneers, then it’s good to know that we also provide 0% interest and offer National Dental Plan financing solutions. Call us today on (02) 8806 3799 or use our online booking system.
