Choosing Between Porcelain and Composite Veneers
When you have your heart set on achieving a Hollywood smile, you'll find yourself choosing between composite and porcelain veneers. Although not all dentists offer both, it helps to understand how they compare. With a better understanding of how each type works, you can choose the best veneers for your mouth.
Dentists Can Repair Composite
One of the key advantages of composite veneers is that dentists can repair them. So if you chip your tooth during an accident, for example, you won't need a complete replacement.
From a cost perspective, being able to repair your composite veneers comes with a lot of advantages. Additionally, if you do require a repair, it can take place over a single visit.
Porcelain Veneers Don't Stain Easily
Chances are you're looking into veneers as a cosmetic dentistry option because of their aesthetic benefits. When that's the case, you may want to choose the type that is less likely to stain.
Porcelain veneers don't absorb the heavy colouring of coffee, red wine and dyed foods. In contrast, composite veneers can pick colouring up as easily as your normal teeth do. If you don't tend to eat such foods, this may not be a concern for you.
Composite Veneers May Be Faster
In a lot of cases, your dentist can make composite veneers in their chair. This means you may only pay one visit to them, which is ideal when you want quick results.
In contrast, porcelain veneers require a visit to your dentist for a session that prepares your teeth, a technician to make them in a lab and a visit to have them installed. Although they take longer, some people feel as though they offer a more natural look.
Porcelain May Last Longer
How long your veneers last depends on a lot of factors. Such factors can include the skill of the dentist fitting them, how well you maintain your oral hygiene after the fitting and the type you're using.
Porcelain veneers can last longer than composite veneers. So although they tend to cost more, you may pay less over time in terms of replacements.
Composite Doesn't Require Preparation
Porcelain veneers require your dentist to prepare your teeth for their placement. This involves reshaping the tooth surface, which can have long-lasting effects.
It's possible to fit composite veneers without preparing the tooth in advance. As a result, you'll have the option of returning to your normal teeth with ease, should you want to.