Composite Veneers vs Porcelain Veneers: What's the difference?

Explaining veneers

Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry option for restoring and enhancing a smile. Not only can they change the shape or alignment of teeth, but they can also lighten the shade of your teeth, helping many patients achieve a brighter, more even smile.

Veneers are one of the most requested cosmetic dentistry treatments we see, popular for their ability to transform the appearance of a smile.

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What are the types of veneers available?

Typically, there are two types of veneers that can be undertaken for patients: the composite veneer (also known as resin veneers) or the porcelain veneer (also called ceramic veneers).

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Do teeth need to be shaved down for veneers?

One concern of many patients is the thought of a healthy tooth being ‘drilled’ or cut away in order for porcelain veneers to be bonded onto the tooth.

Undertaken to a high standard, by a proficient Cosmetic Dentist in Sydney, porcelain veneers are a minimally invasive treatment solution, where only a small amount of tooth enamel is removed from the outside surface and biting edge of the teeth. Just enough enamel is removed for a thin shell of ceramic or porcelain to be bonded onto the tooth. As with all dental procedures, there are risks to be considered and individual results will vary.

Our goal in any ceramic dental treatment here at Macquarie Street Dental is to be as conservative as possible when removing tooth structure. The thinner the porcelain shell, the more natural-looking and translucent the ceramic will be. We hold fast to this treatment philosophy whether it's a porcelain veneer or dental crown.

Digital Smile Design also plays an integral role in veneer treatment. The goal of this Digital Smile Design technique is to help preview and plan the likely aesthetic result before treatment begins, so we prepare the teeth accordingly

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Composite vs porcelain veneers: Pros and cons

Advantages of porcelain veneers

Ceramic or porcelain veneers have a number of advantages:

• They are long-lasting (on average 10 to 15 years) and have great strength qualities, being more resistant to chipping or fracture.
• They are highly resistant to staining and shade change over time.
• They are precisely fitted to the underlying tooth, helping minimise gaps or ledges where food or plaque could collect — and are generally easy to maintain.
• Ceramic/porcelain is designed to closely mimic natural tooth enamel in translucency and light transmission.

Since porcelain is a premium material, it does come at a higher cost to composite veneers.

Composite veneers: How do they compare?

The other option for veneers is composite veneers, also called bonded resin veneers. This is where a tooth coloured resin or plastic material is applied and bonded or ‘set’ to the tooth directly in the chair, rather than ceramic being hand-crafted by our ceramist at the laboratory. This doesn’t involve preparation of the tooth at all, so it is considered to be a conservative treatment. However, without any tooth preparation, using bonding resin to correct crowded or misaligned teeth can lead to quite a ‘bulky’ appearance to the teeth as well as a ‘thick’ biting edge of the tooth. This is less than ideal as it reduces the cutting or biting efficacy of the tooth.

Here are some further points of difference to consider before choosing composite veneers:

• Composite resin can wear or chip easily over time, particularly in those patients who clench or grind their teeth, and may need to be replaced every 3 to 5 years.
• May be prone to staining, which can dull the appearance of the teeth, meaning they may need continual polishing and refreshing.
• Resin does not have the same translucency or light reflecting properties as ceramic to mimic tooth enamel so it may be harder to achieve optimal aesthetics.
• It may take a longer amount of clinical time to bond resin to teeth and shape them accurately, which is typically done over multiple visits.
• May not be able to mask any dark discolouration of the underlying tooth so a poor option for those wishing to change the shade of their teeth.

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How much do veneers cost?

When comparing composite vs porcelain veneers, there is a noticeable cost difference. Ceramic veneers are more expensive compared to resin as it is a more premium material, which is designed to offer more strength, durability and a more natural-looking outcome. However, since they are longer lasting and may not need to be replaced as often as composite veneers, porcelain veneers could work out to be a more cost-effective option over time for some patients.

Considering veneers at Macquarie Street Dental in Sydney CBD?

If you would like to know more about this cosmetic dentistry treatment solution and whether veneers are right for you, contact our cosmetic dental clinic Sydney CBD and book aconsultation appointment with Dr David Dunn today.