Composite Veneers vs Porcelain Veneers
Either a savage porcelain veneer or a composite veneer most often falls into the category of cosmetic dentistry. You start by looking in the mirror and are disappointed in what has become of your smile. Either your teeth are becoming stained or yellow in color, or you have chipped a tooth, cracked a tooth, or even have a big gap between two teeth. Veneers can and will take care of these cosmetic issues with your smile. Your natural teeth remain as does the functionality of those natural teeth. Let’s identify a veneer and the difference between porcelain veneers and composite veneers.
What is a Veneer?
A veneer is a wafer thin shell over the front of your tooth. It is not a crown covering your entire tooth, just the front, visible surface. The process is more complicated with the porcelain veneer option with the involvement of a dental lab fabricating your veneer, but the final product lasts twice as long.
The Difference in Material
A porcelain veneer is made at a dental lab out of ceramic porcelain. The composite resin veneer is actually fabricated right on your tooth by your dentist.
The Difference in the Process
With a porcelain veneer your dentist will first make an impression to be sent to the lab as a roadmap or blueprint for your veneer. Then some enamel is removed from the tooth so when the veneer is returned it can be cemented directly on the tooth. Any small trimming can be done once the adhesive is set. With the composite resin veneer the resin is applied directly to the tooth by the dentist and then sculpted. This can also be called composite bonding. The color of the resin is subjective and after it is hardened it will be polished.
The Difference in Cost
The range in cost for a porcelain veneer can run from $1200 to $2000 per tooth. A composite veneer can run from $250 to $1,500 a tooth. You saw the labor issues involved with the process. The other major issue is life expectancy. A porcelain veneer can last 10 to 20 years where a composite resin veneer can only be expected to last five to seven years. The final two big differences between the two solutions besides cost and life expectancy is that of durability; the porcelain veneer is much stronger, but the composite veneer is reversible. By not removing any enamel on your natural tooth you can have the option of removing the composite and have your original tooth, and its imperfections back.
The Porcelain Veneer is more popular
When you look at the pros and cons of both solutions most patients chose the porcelain veneers to improve their smile. They yield the most natural look. With a translucent quality they look very similar to tooth enamel. Composite veneers are not as durable and are more porous making them more susceptible to staining. Depending on your diet this could make a big difference. Red wine, coffee, tea, and colas will all take their toll on composite veneers. Either way, enjoy our new smile. Make it big!
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