Your smile is the first thing others tend to notice and if you are not comfortable with your teeth, you may be holding back. Genetic troubles, extreme wear or spacing and discoloration are all quickly corrected with wilmington porcelain veneers. A beautiful smile helps bring confidence and ease in social situations! If you are not completely happy, veneers can be a great way to bring that confidence to your smile!
Deciding to invest in veneers is a big decision so it is important to have all the information you can so you are prepared. The most common material used in manufacturing veneers are composite resin and porcelain. Here, we will compare some of the differences so you are able to make an informed decision when determining which type is right for you.
Advantages of Composite Veneers
The main advantage of composite is the cost. Composite is generally about half as costly as porcelain, running between $250 and $1,500 per tooth. Veneers are considered a cosmetic procedure so if not usually covered by insurance. This factor alone can play a major role in influencing your decision.
Composite veneers are also usually fabricated while you are at your dentist’s office, as same-day treatment. Composite bonding is applied directly to your teeth and sculpted to create a new smile. Your dentist uses a high-intensity light to cure the resin, adding more if necessary to achieve the aesthetic outcome you love. When the shape you want is achieved, your dentist will polish the composite to bring them to a shiny, natural look.
Another advantage to composite is the invasiveness and reversibility. Porcelain veneers require that your teeth be prepared, which involves removing a little bit of your natural tooth structure so the porcelain tooth will fit over them. Composite veneers do not require much prep work, allowing the composite to be removed and replaced as needed.
Advantages of Porcelain Veneers
One major factor porcelain has over composite is their durability. Porcelain is a much stronger material so they last much longer than composite. Porcelain veneers have a lifespan of a decade or two whereas composite will only last five to seven years, probably needing to be touched up along the way. So while it is true that composite is the least costly option at the beginning, the maintenance over the years can quickly add up.
Porcelain veneers are the more natural looking option, possessing a translucency similar to natural tooth enamel. Porcelain is resistant to staining and chipping where composite can stain and dull over time, causing you to avoid some favorite foods and beverages that tend to stain teeth.
The procedure involved with porcelain veneers is a bit more invasive than composites since your natural teeth will be shaped down to allow the veneer to fit over them. Most of the time, porcelain veneers will require two visits since they are typically fabricated at an off-site dental lab and you would leave your first appointment wearing temporary veneers that your dentist made in the office. Though some dentists offer technologies that also allow for porcelain veneers to be created in the office, speeding up the final result.
One more thing to consider is the specific concern you are looking to address. Composite may not be the best solution for severe cases. Significant spacing or discoloration may not be treatable using composite. Porcelain veneers are able to address all issues.
Which Should You Choose?
To decide which option is best to meet your individual needs, speak with your dentist. They will be able to provide you with answers to all of your questions and make sure you consider all factors. Keep in mind that while composite is the most cost-effective at the start, porcelain could be the better solution in the long run. Whichever option you choose, veneers will be sure to bring you a smile worth flashing as often as possible!
More on Porcelain Veneers : How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?