Composite Veneers vs. Porcelain Veneers

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Chips, cracks, discolouration, and other aesthetic dental concerns can affect the appearance of a smile.
Fortunately, veneers can be used as a perfect solution for treating these kinds of problems. A dental veneer is a tooth-coloured material that fits over the front of a patient’s teeth.
Veneers may be used to improve the appearance of your teeth with a long-lasting result. If you’re interested in getting dental veneers, this article will discuss the difference between a composite veneer and a porcelain veneer.

What Are Dental Veneers

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A dental veneer is custom-made of tooth-coloured materials that can cover the front surface of your teeth to hide the imperfections. The shells are attached to your teeth to improve their colour, shape, size, and length.

At Ellen Stirling Dental, we offer dental veneers to enhance the appearance of your teeth. Our veneers look like natural teeth, so it won’t look like you underwent dental treatment. Also, dental veneers can be used to treat a wide variety of dental problems, including the following:

  • Worn Enamel:
    Worn enamel can occur because of eating strongly acidic foods, drinking soft drinks, tea or coffee, and smoking. Veneers are ideal for restoring damaged smiles due to a particular diet and lifestyle.

  • Wear and Tear:
    Chipped, cracked, and uneven teeth are more common in people over 30 years old. If you are looking for a treatment that can bring back your healthy and young-looking teeth, veneers can restore the natural shape and colour of your teeth.

  • Genetics:
    Some individuals are born with irregular spacing between their teeth, which worsens as they get older. Fortunately, veneers can treat these kinds of problems.

  • Teeth Discolouration:
    Stubborn tooth discolouration may not be entirely corrected by teeth whitening procedures. If you use a dental veneer, it can cover your yellow or badly stained teeth.

Types Of Dental Veneers

If this is your first time hearing about dental veneers, you may have many questions in your mind. Veneers are thin films applied directly to the front of the tooth, giving it a whole new look. With dental veneers, you can achieve the smile you’ve always wanted while also addressing minor flaws in your teeth. This method can repair dental fractures, crooked teeth, and tooth discolouration. Veneers can also be used to close wide gaps between teeth.

Here are the two most common types of dental veneers:

Composite Veneers
Composite veneers are made of composite resin, consisting of inorganic and organic components. The natural ingredients are the initiator, the resin, and the coupling agent. In composite resins, fillers are the primary inorganic component.
Composite veneers are made of composite resin, consisting of inorganic and organic components. The natural ingredients are the initiator, the resin, and the coupling agent. In composite resins, fillers are the primary inorganic component. A composite veneer is a dental veneer made on-site by the dental technician at the dentist’s clinic. The dentist will apply the veneers directly to the teeth in one appointment. Besides removing any defects, this process will also leave you with a gleaming smile.
Composite veneers are less expensive than porcelain veneers. These blend in well with your natural tooth colour but are prone to staining over time. However, they are much quicker to install than any other type of veneer.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain material is the most attractive and least harmful substance available in dental restorations. In addition, it is quite durable and long-lasting.
A porcelain veneer is more expensive than a composite veneer, and you may end up spending almost twice as much per tooth if you choose porcelain. Nevertheless, porcelain veneers are extremely durable. If you keep your dental hygiene and avoid chewing on hard items, porcelain veneers can last 15-20 years. Veneers made of porcelain are exceptionally stain-resistant. During the procedure, very little of your natural tooth structure is removed. The gum tissues and soft tissues surrounding porcelain laminate veneers are rarely injured. It is because porcelain laminate veneers are highly biocompatible.
A porcelain veneer can improve the appearance of your smile because it is very natural-looking. It is quite similar to natural tooth enamel due to its fine quality.

Difference Between Composite Veneers And Porcelain Veneers

Are you having trouble deciding between composite and porcelain veneers? It depends on various factors to determine which kind of veneer is right for you.
The following sections will help you understand the differences.

Material Used

Porcelain veneers are constructed of ceramic material placed onto the tooth and then moulded into shape and size. Porcelain veneers have thin, fine porcelain pieces bonded to the front of the tooth using a unique adhesive.
On the other hand, composite veneers are made of resin and are attached directly to the tooth. Composite veneers can be removed, but porcelain veneers are more permanently affixed to the teeth.
Generally, both materials are designed to match the colour of your teeth, resulting in a more natural-looking final result.

Durability

A porcelain filling can be fragile, but it becomes firm when appropriately attached to a healthy tooth. Nevertheless, porcelain veneers cannot be restored if damaged, and as a result, they need to be replaced.
On the contrary, composite veneers can be repaired if they crack. But compared to porcelain, composite materials are more prone to chipping.

How Long It Lasts

Composite resin veneers are an excellent choice if you have mild to severe damage such as chips, cracks, or stains. It is possible to put in a composite veneer in one day, and the typical composite veneer can last up to 5 to 10 years. However, it has a shorter lifespan than porcelain veneers.
On the other hand, it takes time to get a porcelain veneer because they are custom-designed. Your dentist will need an impression of your teeth, and multiple consultations might be necessary, depending on your condition. Still, they are a more long-term solution for repairing cosmetic damage. Porcelain veneers are intended to last between 10 and 20 years.

Appearance

Since porcelain is transparent, the porcelain veneer almost looks like a natural tooth. Even though composite material also looks good, porcelain veneers have a more natural appearance. Lastly, porcelain veneers have the great advantage of being stain-resistant.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Composite Veneers

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To determine if you are a good candidate for dental veneers, your dentist will arrange an initial consultation to check your oral health and discuss all of your treatment options. Whenever you and your dentist decide that veneers are the right choice for you, the next step involves a thorough review of treatment details, including what you need to do before and after your veneers to ensure they look and fit correctly.

If you have the following conditions, you can be considered as a good candidate for dental veneers:

How To Take Care Of Your Dental Veneers

Maintaining your veneers’ appearance is quite simple. You can easily maintain your veneers by following these steps:

Ensure Good Oral Hygiene Daily

If you already have an excellent dental hygiene regimen, you won’t have to change it to care for your veneers. It’s as simple as brushing, flossing, and rinsing regularly.

  • Brush:
    Your teeth should be brushed at least twice a day using nonabrasive toothpaste. It is recommended that you do it after each meal.

  • Floss.
    Keep your natural teeth, veneers, and gums healthy by flossing daily to remove food particles that have been trapped between them. After every meal, you should floss your teeth.

  • Rinse:
    Make sure you rinse out your mouth with antiseptic mouthwash at least once or twice a day. Using an alcohol-free mouthwash is recommended since prolonged exposure to alcohol may weaken the bonding chemical that holds your veneers to your teeth.

  • Consume Soft Foods:
    The material is quite durable, but veneers are prone to chipping and breaking. As much as possible, avoid chewing on hard items such as pens, nails, ice, and bones. Eating soft meals is more recommended.

  • Beware Of Stains:
    Because veneers may stain like natural teeth, it’s a good idea to avoid foods that are known to cause discolouration, such as coffee, red wine, dark sodas, tea, soy sauce, and berries. The use of tobacco also causes staining. If you smoke, you should consider quitting. Not only it will benefit your health, but it will also help to maintain your veneer white and bright.

  • Visit Your Dentist Regularly:
    Regular dental checkups are essential for maintaining good oral health. By visiting your dentist at least every six months, you can help maintain your oral health. You can also visit your dentist to assess if your dental veneers are still in good condition.
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Final Thoughts

Dental veneers are cosmetic devices used to improve the appearance of your teeth. The purpose of a dental veneer is to fix your cosmetic issues and hide other imperfections. If you’re looking for a dentist who provides dental veneers, visit our dental clinic.

 

At Ellen Stirling Dental, we offer different types of veneers as a treatment option to fix various dental issues. By concealing any imperfections in your smile, veneers allow you to improve your teeth’s appearance quickly and effectively. We will also teach you the proper care of your dental veneers to make them more long-lasting.

 

If you want to book a dental appointment with our fantastic team, please call (08) 6185 0200 or visit our clinic at 48 Ellen Stirling Parade Ellenbrook, WA 6069.

Disclaimer – Use At Your Own Risk :- The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as advice for any individual case or situation. Any action you take upon the information on these blogs are strictly at your own risk. We will not be liable for any losses or damages in connection with the use of the information from these blogs.

Dr. Rachit Shah

Author

Dr. Rachit Shah

Dr. Rachit Shah has a caring and holistic approach to your healthcare. He brings a gentle and modern approach to dentistry; one aimed to create a painless and anxiety-free experience whilst using conservative methods to create long-lasting and highly aesthetic smiles.

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