Composite vs Porcelain Veneers: What Type of Veneers are Best for Me?

If you’re feeling self-conscious about your teeth, or if you’re simply looking to improve your smile and enjoy a healthy-looking set of pearly whites, having a set of veneers fitted could be the solution. 

Looking after our teeth is tough, which is why dentists are currently in such high demand. People can feel self-conscious about their teeth for a whole host of different reasons, which is why veneers are proving to be so popular. 

Regardless of whether your teeth are discoloured, crooked, broken, rotten, or damaged, veneers could be the solution. The issue with veneers is knowing the difference between composite and porcelain veneers, and which is best. 

If you’re not happy with your smile and wish to go with a set of veneers, here’s a look at composite veneers vs porcelain veneers to help you make up your mind of which is best for you. 

What are veneers?

Before we look at the difference between composite and porcelain veneers, first we need to ensure that you know exactly what veneers are. 

Veneers are typically used for aesthetic and cosmetic purposes as they’re designed to enhance the shape, size, colour, and appearance of teeth. 

Dental veneers are custom-made shells that can be adhered to the front of teeth, to make the teeth look healthier, whiter, and more symmetrical. There are two types of materials used for dental veneers: composite resin and porcelain. 

Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain adhered to the outer-surface of the tooth. Composite veneers are engineered resin affixed to the outer-surface. Both are made to match your teeth colour (or whiten them) and improve your overall smile.

Advantages of porcelain veneers

As we’re looking at composite veneers vs porcelain veneers, let us begin first by looking at the benefits of veneers made from porcelain. 

Natural look and feel 

One of the best things about choosing to have porcelain veneers fitted is the fact that the porcelain itself looks and feels so natural. 

Porcelain veneers are so natural-looking in fact, that unless you told somebody that you had veneers in the first place, they’d have no idea. 

Easy to care for 

Porcelain veneers still need to be cleaned and cared for just like your natural teeth, but the good news is that looking after them is incredibly easy to do. 

Simply brush twice daily as you would normally, schedule regular check ups with your dentist, and you’re all set. 

Improved oral aesthetics 

Because of the fact that porcelain veneers look so white and healthy, they can give you a symmetrical, white, and healthy-looking smile. 

Disadvantages of porcelain veneers

Despite porcelain veneers looking and feeling great, they do have a drawback.

Removal of tooth enamel 

The only real downside to porcelain veneers is the fact that, in order for them to be bonded to the tooth, a layer of enamel must first be removed during the procedure.

This is only a very thin layer, but just keep in mind the fact that enamel is there to protect the tooth. 

Advantages of composite veneers

Composite veneers are made from composite resin and they are designed to serve the exact same purposes as porcelain veneers. 

As we’re looking at the difference between composite and porcelain veneers, here are some benefits of composite veneers. 

Minimally invasive 

Perhaps the biggest pro of composite veneers is the fact that they’re minimally invasive. 

 Composite veneers can be bonded directly onto teeth, as opposed to requiring a layer of enamel to be removed first in the case of porcelain. 

Affordable 

Because composite resin is a much cheaper material than porcelain, the cost of composite veneers is much less than porcelain.

If you are on a budget, when it comes to composite veneers vs porcelain veneers, composite has the advantage. 

Disadvantages of composite veneers

Now let’s look at some of the disadvantages of composite dental veneers. 

Composite veneers aren’t as long lasting 

Perhaps the biggest drawback of composite veneers is the fact that they don't aren’t as long lasting as porcelain. 

With good maintenance, the lifespan of composite veneers is around 7 – 9 years. Porcelain, however, can last between 15 and 20 years. 

Porcelain veneers vs composite veneers: Which should I choose?

If you need veneers, both composite resin veneers and porcelain veneers offer plenty of pros, and few cons. 

Out of the two however, it has to be said that porcelain veneers are considered by dentists to be superior. These look better and more natural, they’re stronger, and they offer better value for money because they can last more than twice as long as composite resin veneers.