If you’ve been thinking about giving your smile a makeover then you’ve probably looked into your options and wondered:
Porcelain VS composite veneers… which one is better for me?
With two options available, there’s no doubt you’re probably confused about what choice is best for you. But don’t worry because that’s why we’re here to help! We’re going to talk you through porcelain veneers and composite veneers and the difference between the two.
After reading this, we hope you’ll have a better understanding of your options and hopefully even make a decision on the type of veneers you want by the end of this blog… who knows!?
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
First off, let’s get into porcelain veneers. What are they? What are the benefits?
If you’re looking for an instant way to transform your smile, then porcelain veneers are the way to go. They’re a modern dental treatment made of super-thin ceramic porcelain. This type of veneer is placed directly to the front surface of your natural tooths enamel.
A lot of people turn to porcelain veneers for more than just the desire for a better-looking smile.
Porcelain veneers are perfect for someone needing to repair a damaged or fractured tooth caused by various reasons.
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
#1 – Natural Appeal
This is some of our client’s favourite thing about porcelain veneers. Its natural tooth appearance.
If you’re walking down the street and give a stranger a smile with your porcelain veneers, they’ll most likely think ‘WOW they have stunning teeth’, not ‘their teeth HAS to be veneers’.
You can thank the veneers thin and translucent nature for this!
Just to top it off, porcelain veneers can be specifically made to match your natural tooth colour and shape. So, to put it simply you can give your mouth a personal smile that suits you!
#2 – Durable & Long Lasting
If you give your porcelain veneers the care and love they deserve, you can expect them to last 10-15 years. How good is that!?
#3 – Quick Recovery Time
Once you get the veneers placed on your teeth, you’re basically good to go. You can now strut around and show off your fresh new smile.
Of course, our team of professionals will always provide information about your veneer’s aftercare.
#4 – Stain Resistant
Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant – from coffee and tea to smoking and soft drinks.
This is one of our personal favs. Who doesn’t love a good coffee without having to stress about staining your teeth?
What are Composite Veneers?
Now that we’ve covered porcelain veneers, let’s get into composite veneers.
Composite veneers are made from a resin material. For those who aren’t too sure what resin is, it’s a plastic material. These types of veneers are shaped freehand directly onto the teeth, have a lifespan of two to five years and are a less costly material compared to porcelain.
A lot of people turn to composite veneers to reshape their smile, fix any misalignments or cover any cracked teeth.
Benefits of Composite Veneers
#1 – Quick Application
The best thing about composite veneers is that you can walk into the dentist with your natural teeth and walk out with a completely new smile. Everyone loves a quick and easy transformation.
#2 – Transforms Your Smile
Looking to change the shape of a tooth? Wanting to cover up a chip on one of your front teeth? After an entire makeover? Composite veneers could be the answer!
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a minor fix-up or a major change, compositive veneers have the power to achieve your desired wants and needs. You’ll leave the dentist feeling like a brand-new person.
#3 – Cheaper Alternative
Let’s face it – veneers are expensive. But thanks to composite veneers, there is a cheaper option for people looking for another alternative.
So, you can get that smile you’re after without making your pockets hurt.
Porcelain VS Composite Veneers – What Is the Difference Between Them?
Hopefully, by now you have a better understanding of each type of veneer and the different benefits they offer. Now, let’s take a look into the key differences between them.
Difference in Time
The time taken to apply each type of veneer varies. Composite veneers are definitely the quicker option. To apply composite veneers to our client’s teeth, all we have to do add the resin to their teeth and then it is cured and polished.
On the other hand, porcelain veneers usually take around two to three visits. A lot more steps need to be taken by the dentist to ensure the process is completed properly.
Durability of Veneers
Even though porcelain veneers are the more expensive option of veneers, they do last a lot longer than composite veneers. Of course, the time that your veneers last completely depends on how much care is taken for them.
But typically speaking, porcelain veneers will last 10-15 years, and composite veneers will last 2-5 years.
An important thing to consider… if you damage or crack a porcelain veneer, they’ll have to be replaced instead of being repaired. This isn’t the case for composite veneers.
The Overall Look & Feel
Don’t get us wrong, both porcelain veneers and composite veneers look amazing! However, if you compare them side by side you can see that porcelain veneers have that more natural look to them. This is because they catch light similar to the way your natural teeth do.
Cost of Veneers
As we mentioned above, composite veneers are the cheaper option compared to porcelain veneers. But you could be asking yourself: ‘why is that?’
Don’t worry, you’re not alone with this question. Porcelain veneers take more time, the material is more durable, more expertise is required by the dentist and a lot more resources are needed. With all these factors considered, porcelain veneers are more expensive.
Hybrid Veneers
We know, we know… we’ve already discussed porcelain and composite veneers, but now we’re throwing in another option – because why not? It’s only fair to give you an insight into ALL the different paths you could take, right!?
Let’s talk hybrid veneers. Hybrid veneers a basically a blend of both composite and porcelain veneers. If you’re not ready to fully commit or aren’t 100% sold on porcelain veneers, then this might be the perfect option for you.
Hybrid veneers are laboratory-made, which means digital programs are used to design symmetrical veneers. Along with the symmetry, they also have a chameleon effect! With both of these elements combined, you can achieve an extremely stunning aesthetic.
IMPORTANT NOTE: hybrid veneers aren’t always the best option for everybody. You’ll need to book in a consultation so that our dentists can assess your teeth and mouth to see if this is a suitable option for you.
Benefits of Hybrid Veneers
#1 – Fast & Non-invasive Appointment
We completely understand the fear around visiting your dentist. This is why hybrid veneer’s fast and non-invasive application is some of our client’s favourite thing about these veneers.
No needles, no shaving, no cutting down of natural teeth. NOTHING!!
We’re sure that sentence is music to your ears. Or should we say music to your…. Eyes?
#2 – Aesthetic Result
There’s no doubt that you’ll walk out of your appointment smiling from ear to ear. Hybrid veneers have a very special look and feel. The final result always looks very aesthetic and we love to see it!
#3 – High-Shine
Our technicians can give your veneers a high polish, which creates a smoother surface than regular composite veneers.
High-shine & smoother surface = longer durability and less staining.
Transform Your Smile with Mermaid Smiles
Making the decision to transform your smile is a big step to take. And it’s not something you decide lightly. So, it totally makes sense if you’re looking for more guidance.
Start with a consult! By booking in a consult with one of our experienced dentists, we can discuss your wants and specific requirements and then provide personalised recommendations.
The best part is that we have flexible financing options available. So, where to go from here?
Either check out our website for more information on dental veneers or give us call to book in a consult.