Pros and Cons of Porcelain and Composite Veneers

by | Aug 28, 2020 | Resources

At Beaches Dental Mona Vale, we offer patients both porcelain and composite veneers. We can use veneers to restore the appearance of your smile by reshaping the front surface of your teeth. By choosing a lighter shade of material, veneers can also whiten your smile. 

Veneers are a great treatment option for correcting discolouration, chips, cracks, wear or slight misalignment. They can also reduce the appearance of gaps in your smile. So, which do you chose? Porcelain or composite veneers? This depends on your individual needs, smile goals and budget. 

In this article, we discuss the key differences between porcelain and composite veneers, who makes a suitable candidate for the procedure, and how we can help.

The Difference Between Porcelain and Composite Veneers

Veneers are typically made from porcelain or composite resin. Both materials deliver effective results when it comes to transforming smiles. But they have different treatment times, effects on teeth, longevity and costs.

When you understand the differences between the types of veneers, it’s easier deciding on the best type for you.

Porcelain Veneers

There is one area in which composite veneers are unable to compete with their porcelain counterparts. And that is durability. There is no arguing that porcelain veneers are stronger and can last longer than composite resin. Porcelain veneers can last up to 10 or 15 years if taken care of well. 

The strength of porcelain veneers results in higher resistance to cracking and chipping and they are less susceptible to staining than composite veneers. Porcelain is translucent and reflects light the way a natural tooth would. This makes porcelain veneers exceptionally natural-looking. 

Porcelain veneers are a viable solution to a greater range of concerns you may have with your smile. For example, we can use them to restore uneven smiles and tooth surfaces that have more extensive wear. 

Their durability, versatility and natural aesthetics come at a greater cost than composite veneers though. The procedure for getting porcelain veneers is more involved and often needs more tooth preparation than with composite veneers. Porcelain veneers are made in a lab and require both a preparation and cementation visit. Temporary veneers will be placed whilst your permanent set is being made.

Here at Beaches Dental Mona Vale, all our veneers are fabricated by labs in Australia. 

To sum it up, porcelain veneers:

✔ Deliver great smile transformation results

✔ Long-lasting

⨯ Cost-effective

✔ Long-lasting

✔ Reduced chipping, cracking and staining  

⨯ Same-day treatment

✔ Can be used to restore uneven or extensively worn teeth

⨯ Minimal tooth preparation required 

Composite Veneers

A key difference between porcelain and composite veneers is their cost. Whilst both porcelain and composite veneers can deliver smile transformations, composite veneers are available at a fraction of the price. The cost can be a big factor when it comes to deciding between the two types of veneers.

Composite veneers are made by placing and shaping restorative material directly onto the teeth. This means that you’ll typically only require 1 appointment when getting this type of veneers.

We can help you choose the right shade of natural white for your composite resin before applying it to your teeth. The colour selection with composite veneers can be more limited than with porcelain. Composite veneers also require polishing for a more natural tooth appearance.  

In comparison to porcelain veneers, composite veneers often require less preparation of your natural tooth prior to application. They can even be placed directly on top of your natural tooth, in some cases.

To sum it up, composite veneers:

✔ Deliver great smile transformation results

✔ Cost-effective

⨯ Long-lasting

⨯ Reduced chipping, cracking and staining 

✔ Same-day treatment

⨯ Can be used to restore uneven or extensively worn teeth

✔ Minimal tooth preparation required

Can I Get Veneers?

A consultation with one of our experienced dentists can help you determine whether veneers are a good option for you. But here is some general information about who makes a suitable candidate for either type of veneers. It’s important to note that veneers are cosmetic as opposed to an orthodontic solution. We can use them to lessen the appearance of mildly uneven teeth. But they cannot correct misalignments. 

Good oral health is needed to be a good candidate for veneers. They need healthy teeth to attach to. If you have tooth decay or gum disease, it must be treated before the application of your veneers. 

If you grind your teeth during your sleep or excessively clench your jaw, veneers may not be suitable for you. Our restorative materials are strong but they are not built to withstand the continual force of grinding or clenching. This can cause them to crack over time or even detach from your tooth.  

Veneers Northern Beaches 

If you’re considering getting veneers in the Northern Beaches area, we can help you. Our dentists have extensive experience in assessing patients’ suitability for veneers and delivering outstanding results. 

Our porcelain veneers are made in labs who specialise in the highest quality of workmanship. There is an art to matching your new veneers to your surrounding natural teeth. Both shape and colour need careful consideration. We take the time to understand your smile goals and work closely with you to achieve your new smile.

We can help you choose between porcelain and composite veneers to get the result that works best for you. Whatever material you decide on, our skilled dentists are here to help you achieve your smile goals.

Your new smile is only one step away. Contact us to book your consultation.