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Whether you are looking to improve the aesthetics of your teeth or to fix a cosmetic correction, veneers have got your back. The dental procedure has been used for decades to help people improve their smiles and boost their confidence.
There are primarily two types of veneers: composite and porcelain. Both of them are effective but are not exactly the same. So, how do you know which one is the right option for you?
Well, you will need to consider different factors to arrive at the correct answer for you. Read below to learn about the differences between the two and begin your journey to a better smile.
Not everyone is a candidate for veneers. So before you opt for either porcelain or composite veneers, you need to first be sure that veneers are the right solution for you. Some cases where veneers are very effective are:
On the other hand, veneers may not be the best dental procedure for some cases. These may include teeth with decay or gum disease, weakened teeth, severely misaligned teeth, overbites, and underbites. These cases often require Invisalign Braces treatment to correct before you can think of getting veneers.
But if you are sure you are a good candidate for veneers, then you can make a decision about composite vs porcelain veneers. This is not a decision you can make over a phone call – you will need to visit us and have a complimentary consultation with our cosmetic dentists so they get a better idea of your overall teeth, smile, symmetry and health.
Let’s quickly look at what the two types of veneers are and why they differ from each other.
These are engineered resins affixed to the surface of your teeth in layers to help you achieve the desired aesthetic appearance.
Composite veneers use composite materials that are non-destructible, so they could last for a very long time. This is usually a better option for situations where there is chipping or discolouration of natural teeth. Composite veneers will also work well to give a straighter look for crooked teeth.
These are thin shells of porcelain made to fit directly over your teeth. It is usually used to recreate your teeth’ natural look and to improve your smile. Think of it as false fingernails used to improve the aesthetics of the nails.
Both composite and porcelain veneers are made to look just like your natural teeth to improve your overall smile and boost your confidence. But as earlier said, there are a few differences between the two.
Yes, they don’t take the same amount of time or visit to achieve. While you can get composite veneers in just a visit, porcelain will take at least two visits to your dentist.
Composite veneers can be applied to your teeth in just one visit – and right in our dental practice. Our dentist will only need to observe the natural colour of the surrounding teeth and then find a resin that best matches the colour. This is important so that your resin and natural teeth don’t look different.
Our dentist will then apply the chosen resin to your teeth, cure them, and polished them. You can leave the practice the same day with a brand-new smile.
Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, will require at least two visits. During the first visit, we will observe and take a thin layer of your teeth that will be receiving the veneer and send the mould out to a lab. During the second visit, your veneer would have been ready and we will bond it to your teeth with cement.
So if you want to have your veneers as quickly as possible, you will need to opt for composite veneers. But that’s not all. There are more other factors you will still need to put into consideration.
If durability is your major concern, you might need to endure the waiting time for porcelain veneers because they last longer than composite veneers. Even though porcelain appears more fragile, it can be extremely durable once bonded to your teeth.
With appropriate care and maintenance, your porcelain veneers can last between 10 and 15 years. But composite veneers can only last about 4 to 6 years. Not everyone wants to be visiting the dentist every 5 years for veneers. So if you want a treatment option that will take you for long years, porcelain has an edge here.
You should already know the reason for this. Yes, because they require more expertise and resources than composite veneers. Remember that your dentist is not the only expert needed to give you a better smile via porcelain veneers. The mould of your teeth has to be taken to a lab to fabricate a perfect porcelain match for you.
All these shoot up the cost of getting porcelain veneers. So if you are looking to get veneers on a stringed budget, composite veneers might be your best option.
Yes, read that again. Despite being the costlier option and happening to be stronger than composite veneers, porcelain veneers cannot be repaired once it’s damaged. You will need to go for a replacement.
Due to the make of composite veneers, they can easily be repaired without you having to spend extra money on replacement.
Both composite and porcelain veneers are great for getting a beautiful smile, but porcelain tends to give a more better and natural finish. Its translucent nature makes it easily catch light in such a very similar manner to your natural tooth. That way, no one will ever get to know you have it.
Also, porcelain veneers are stain-resistant. With them on, you can eat any type of food without the fear of having your teeth stained or having to spend extra money on teeth whitening. On the other hand, composite veneers can easily be stained – just like your natural teeth.
However, if at the end of the procedure, you feel you don’t like the outcome, you can easily remove composite veneers. You can do the same for porcelain veneers – porcelain veneers are completely irreversible.
Well, you can now see that getting the right answer to this question is not something you do at a thought. You need to carefully consider the factors mentioned above and appropriately weigh your options.
Remember, while porcelain veneers seem to be the most effective, it is not reversible and can be very expensive. But it lasts longer than composite veneers.
However, if you are considering a more budget-friendly option, composite veneers come as the better option. they cost less and can be repaired if they got damaged down the line.
Thinking of getting dental veneers in Liverpool or Ormskirk and need help with choosing the right option?
Give us a call now, and let’s help you begin your journey to a perfect smile.
Call us at 0151 526 2701 or fill in our Contact Form and our friendly team will be able to assist you in making the right decision.
