The difference between porcelain and zirconia veneers

Are you dreaming of having a “Hollywood smile”? If so, you probably know that many prefer to have dental veneers placed. But what material is the best for veneers?

What is the difference between porcelain and zirconia veneers?

In this article, we will discuss:

Pros and Cons of Porcelain
Pros and Cons of Zirconia
Comparative Table

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin ceramic or lithium disilicate plates.

They completely transform your smile, covering the front part of the tooth. They resemble natural teeth, providing strength and stability. Ultra-thin restorations as thin as 0.5 mm are available.

Pros:

Highly aesthetic
High biocompatibility
Resistant to staining
Easy to care for

Cons:

Weak resistance to mechanical damage

Types of porcelain veneers

CAD / CAM Plates made of pressed ceramic are produced based on a 3D model of the patient’s jaw using modern computer technology and milling. This allows for a high degree of fit and good aesthetic results.
On the refractor Ultra-thin restorations are made using layer-by-layer porcelain application. This allows for an exact replication of the transparency of natural tooth enamel.
E-max (lithium disilicate) Made from pressed ceramics. They have a high adhesion rate, good light transmission, and transparency. They are very thin (like veneers) while being strong.

How many veneers can be placed? You can have a restoration on just a single tooth. However, to achieve the most natural effect, plates are fixed across the entire smile zone (6 – 10 teeth).

Zirconia Veneers

Zirconia veneers are made from zirconium dioxide, an extremely durable material (using CAD/CAM technology).

Pros:

Very highly aesthetic (Multi-layer)
Perfect biocompatibility
High strength
Resistant to staining

Cons:

High cost (justified by the quality of materials and production complexity)
Unnatural appearance (for solid zirconia)

Types of zirconia restorations:

Multi-layer A plate that, thanks to layer-by-layer application, allows for mimicking the color and transparency gradient of a natural tooth from the gumline to the cutting edge.
Solid Zirconia Made using CAD/CAM technology from high-strength monolithic zirconium dioxide blocks. They have low transparency, making the veneers look unnatural.

Article Summary and Comparative Table

Features	Porcelain Veneers	Zirconia Veneers
Service Life	10-12 years	15-20 years
Aesthetics	Impeccably mimic natural color, transparency, and shine of teeth	Multi-layer effectively replicates light conductivity/transparency of tooth enamel
Durability	Susceptible to chipping; porcelain plates may break under excessive pressure	Material is durable and resistant to mechanical damage

There are some key differences between zirconia and porcelain veneers. However, both methods are used based on a dentist’s recommendation for dental treatment and smile design. They are also strong, long-lasting, and resistant to staining, eliminating the risk of allergies as they are biocompatible and non-toxic.

Feel free to schedule a consultation, and our specialists will answer all your questions. We also recommend checking out the Smile Gallery showcasing our portfolio of work at Sutton Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry.