What is the difference between porcelain and composite veneers?

Restoring a smile with veneers is a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure. Various types of ceramics or composite materials are used in their fabrication. Which material looks better and lasts longer? In this article, we will discuss the following:

1. Who is a suitable candidate for porcelain veneers?
2. When can composite veneers be considered?
3. Comparative Table

Porcelain Veneers

Ceramic dental veneers withstand chewing pressure without chipping. However, their primary advantage lies in their natural appearance and beauty. Ceramic looks just like natural enamel. They are hard to distinguish from your own teeth, and match in shade and transparency. Ceramic veneers can last from 15 to 20 years. Throughout this time, they maintain their color and shine. Using ceramic has additional benefits:

• They don’t cause irritation to the mucous membrane.
• They don’t trigger allergies.
• They are resistant to staining from pigments.
• They don’t darken or yellow over time.
• A dentist can select an individual ceramic shade to match your enamel color.
• The translucency of ceramic is the same as enamel.
• Ceramic is wear-resistant.

The primary drawback of ceramic constructions is their high cost.

Composite Veneers

Composite veneers are crafted from filling material. Over time, even highly artistic composite dental build-ups lose their beauty and eventually require replacement. However, the main drawback is that composite dental build-ups won’t last longer than 6 years. With time, the composite material settles and loses its strength. Such veneers often delaminate and develop cracks within just 1-2 years. The primary pros of composite veneers are their lower cost and quick placement (completed in just one session). Other cons of composite dental build-ups include:

• Limited color variety, making it challenging to find a suitable match.
• Composite material changes color over time.
• Susceptibility to staining from pigments.
• Inability to withstand significant chewing pressure.
• Bacteria can penetrate cracks in the composite, leading to the development of cavities. The placement of a full set of veneers made from filling material is not long-lasting.

The placement of a full set of veneers made from filling material is not long-lasting.

How Are Composite Veneers Placed?

The dentist applies the filling material layer by layer directly onto the tooth. Before applying the next layer, the specialist dries the previous one.