If you are looking for a confidence boost, a smile transformation may be what you need. An increasingly popular way is to undergo a smile makeover with a full set of dental veneers.
Veneers are thin coverings that fit over or adhere to your natural teeth. They can cover up imperfections, such as chipped teeth or cracks, make small teeth look larger, and permanently whiten your smile.
First, you have to choose the best type of dental veneers for you. Will you go with porcelain or composite resin veneers?
Knowing which type of veneers is right for you requires you to understand the benefits of each. Read on for a full breakdown of the pros and cons of porcelain vs. composite resin veneers to help you decide.
Composite Resin Veneer Benefits
One of the main reasons people choose composite resin veneers is the cost. Typically, composite resin veneers take less time than traditional porcelain veneers, which is one reason why they are considered more affordable. Keep reading to understand why.
Affordability
Veneers can be expensive, but you do not have to shell out the big bucks to get them if you use composite resin. That’s because composite resin veneers are relatively affordable.
Of course, this benefit also comes with some disadvantages. Namely, composite resin is not as durable as porcelain. Your new teeth may not last as long, making porcelain the better investment.
Same-Day Treatment
Unlike porcelain veneers, composite resin ones are added to your teeth on the day of your appointment. As with all types of veneers, you still have to get the surface of your teeth prepared to ensure the stability of the fit.
Porcelain veneers are different because they are custom-made. After preparing your teeth, your dentist will either take a mould of your teeth or a digital impression. Then, you will have to wait for the fabrication process before completion.
Traditionally, porcelain veneers are sent to a dental technician who fabricates the new teeth based on the mould provided by the dentist. More modern approaches leverage the power of new digital design and fabrication technologies. This involves the digital design of the veneers based on a scan of the patient’s existing teeth and allows the dentist to make adjustments in real-time before sending the digital design to be fabricated (onsite).
We use This approach at Adelaide Cosmetic Dentistry, as it typically requires fewer visits, provides greater control of the design process, allows for patient feedback, and we have found that it achieves superior aesthetic outcomes for our patients. This also allows us to use no-prep or minimum intervention techniques where the maximum amount of your original tooth is maintained.
The Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are generally considered superior to all other types of veneers. They are durable, natural-looking, and suitable for a broader range of dental cosmetic concerns. Here’s why.
Durability
Porcelain is an incredibly strong material. Once bonded to a tooth surface, it will not get damaged easily. If cared for properly, your porcelain veneers can last 15 years or longer.
Despite their durability, porcelain veneers can get chipped or fall off. And if that happens, they will need to be replaced. Composite resin veneers can be more easily repaired if you chip them, but they are also more likely to chip or fracture and typically last 5-10 years with proper maintenance.
Natural-Looking
Porcelain and composite resin can both look relatively natural. However, porcelain is the gold standard if you want your veneers to match as closely to your real teeth as possible.
Unlike composite resin, porcelain reflects light like real tooth enamel. It is also better at resisting stains, meaning your veneers will look whiter and brighter for longer, and you can say goodbye to regular teeth whitening.
Suitable for Dark Stains
Even though porcelain is very thin, it is far better at covering dark stains. Composite resin veneers may make slightly discoloured teeth look whiter. But they can’t compare to porcelain when covering up very dark, stained teeth.
This is another area where porcelain has a long-term cost advantage over composite. You will no longer have to pay for regular teeth whitening procedures for a ‘perfect smile.’
Resin vs. Porcelain: Which Is Best for Veneers?
By now, we hope you have a better idea of why some people get porcelain veneers over composite resin ones and vice versa. But finding the best option depends on which of the following factors is most important to you.
Porcelain Veneers Look More Natural
Porcelain is one of the best materials to use for dental implant crowns and veneers for a reason. It mimics how tooth enamel catches the light, making it difficult to tell porcelain veneers from the real thing.
Like all veneers, porcelain comes in a variety of colours. You can choose from a dazzling bright white, a more natural-looking off-white, and many other shades that naturally complement your existing teeth.
Composite Resin Veneers Are More Affordable
Composite resin veneers are less expensive than their porcelain counterparts. Unlike porcelain veneers, they are not as prone to falling off, which requires costly replacements, and if you chip on, it can be repaired. However, they are more prone to chipping and cracking, which is why the majority of our patients see porcelain veneers as a better long-term investment. They last longer and stay whiter over time, reducing the overall cost of veneers in the long run.
Porcelain Veneers Last Longer
Porcelain veneers have been know to last for more than 15 years with proper care. Compare that to composite resin veneers, which only have a lifetime of up to ten years before they need significant repairs or replacement.
To make your porcelain veneers last even longer, ensure you follow your dentist’s veneer care instructions. Your dentist will recommend not using harsh or abrasive oral care products and avoiding getting your teeth whitened.
Composite Resin Veneers Are Faster
Traditionally, if you wanted veneers ASAP, composite resin was the way to go. You can go in for your appointment and walk out with a brand new smile on the same day. Traditional porcelain veneers can take anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks; however, this is now possible with the latest digital design and fabrication technologies at Adelaide Cosmetic Dentistry.
Our digital design techniques also mean that the process of shaving down your teeth is kept to an absolute minimum or not necessary at all. Composite resin veneers do not require your dentist to remove as much enamel as they need to for traditional porcelain veneers. Digitally designed porcelain veneers require similar levels of tooth preparation as composite resin veneers.
Porcelain Veneers Are Best for Very Stained Teeth
If you want to cover up dark stains on your teeth, porcelain should be your top choice for long-lasting results. Even though this material is very thin, it does a much better job of concealing severe discolouration and typically outlasts resin composite veneers by a significant margin.
Cosmetic dentists usually only recommend composite resin for improving the size or shape of your teeth. This material can cover slight discolourations but is not the best choice for very dark stains.
Get Veneers in Adelaide
So, which veneers are right for you: porcelain or composite resin? Go for composite resin veneers if you are most concerned about price and speed. Meanwhile, porcelain is the better option if you want long-lasting, natural-looking veneers that can cover up very stained teeth.
Still need help deciding on the best material for veneers? Adelaide Cosmetic Dentistry has over 20 years of experience advising patients just like you. We always require an in-person consultation with our Cosmetic Dentist, Dr Roshanak Amrein (“Dr Rosh” as her patients call her) to get a tailored and personalised quote. Contact us to set up an appointment to chat with our friendly team.
