Porcelain: Durable and dramatic
Porcelain veneers are the type most people think of when they hear about veneers. Porcelain veneers are sometimes called ceramic veneers. These are the best type of veneers, and also the most expensive. Veneers fit over the front of the tooth and wrap slightly around the edges. They don’t provide extra strength or stability to the teeth so they are strictly a cosmetic dental procedure. However, the improvement to your smile after getting porcelain veneers can be dramatic. They are durable and can last a decade or more without needing to be repaired or replaced. They are resistant to staining and chipping and provide a very natural-looking correction to cosmetic issues.
Composite: Quick and affordable
Composite veneers are an alternative to porcelain veneers and they cost much less. The resin material used for composite veneers is the same as that which is used for composite fillings, which may be called white fillings or tooth-colored fillings. The process of getting composite veneers is quicker, but they do have disadvantages compared to porcelain veneers. The composite material tends to stain and chip. Composite veneers are likely to need replacement in just a few years. Porcelain veneers also have more attractive color and translucency.
Both types of veneers require preparation of the teeth to be covered before they are placed. The process of getting composites can usually be done in just one dental visit. Porcelain veneers must be made in a lab.
Learn more
If your teeth embarrass you and you’d like to have a smile that you can wear with pride, veneers may be for you. For more information about what a cosmetic dental treatment can do for your smile, please download my free e-book, “Cosmetic Dentistry is for Everyone”.