Porcelain Veneers Or Composite Veneers?

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Dental veneers are the best option which can be very effective for people with teeth that are broken or chipped or teeth that are spaced too far apart. There are two types of veneers which are composite and porcelain and veneers. They both give you a beautiful smile but what are their differences?

PORCELAIN VENEERS

Porcelain veneers are made to match the shape and color of naturally white teeth. They possess the translucent properties of porcelain which allows the veneers to imitate the light characteristics of the enamel. They are so natural looking that they make it difficult to distinguish between the real teeth and the veneers. They are long-lasting and strong as well as stain-resistant. One thing you need to know is that the procedure is irreversible since some of the enamel has to be removed when placing the veneer on the tooth.

COMPOSITE VENEERS

Composite materials can provide a beautiful appearance that is non-destructive to the tooth structure and they are long-lasting. What happens is a tooth-colored filling material is applied in layers to the tooth’s surface. It is then sculpted onto your mouth to achieve the desired appearance. They are used where there has been discoloration of the natural teeth, minor misalignments or chipping.  

How They Compare

• Porcelain Veneers procedure is irreversible since it involves the removal of some of the enamel. On the other hand, composite veneers’ procedure does not involve the removal of the tooth surface causing no damage to the tooth
• Composite veneers can be repaired once damaged. Porcelain veneers can only be replaced when damaged.
• Porcelain veneers are more durable compared to composite. They last about ten to fifteen years.  Composite veneers are only required to be refreshed due to the resin material not being durable like porcelain.
• Due to its strong durability, porcelain is more expensive compared to composite. Porcelain veneers cost around $925 and $2,500 per tooth while composite would cost you around $250 to $1500. Porcelain veneers are normally not covered by dental insurance.
• Composite veneers can easily be discolored from everyday stains such as cigarettes and tea although this will take time. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, can resist 100% stains.
• Porcelain veneers can only be made in a dental laboratory. Composite veneers can be acquired from a visit to the dentist’s office.

HOW THEY ARE MADE

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• Porcelain Veneer. The first step would be to schedule an initial consultation with the cosmetic dentist. Once you’ve come into an agreement with your dentist about the treatment plan, the dentist may start by taking out part of your enamel. These will be the areas that receive veneers. The next step will be taking impressions of your teeth which will be taken to the lab. The dentist will temporarily put veneers as the original takes a week to be processed.
• Composite Veneers. In this case, the procedure is quite similar only that it can be done in a dentist’s office. The procedure, unlike for porcelain, takes only hours. It always requires less preparation and costs.