• Composite Veneers vs Porcelain Veneers

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    If you’ve decided to invest in veneers to improve your smile, you may be wondering if you should choose composite vs porcelain. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Depending on your lifestyle and what you’d like to achieve with your smile, one or the other may suit you better.

    In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of composite vs porcelain veneers to help you decide which option is best for you.

    What are Composite Veneers?

    Composite veneers are a type of resin covering that is placed on top of your natural teeth. It’s a minimally invasive treatment that can help change the shape and colour of your smile.

    You can have composite resin applied to cover your entire tooth or to smaller sections (like on top of cracks or chips).

    How Long Do Composite Veneers Last?

    It depends on your lifestyle and how well you look after your teeth, but generally, composite veneers last around 5-7 years.

    Since this treatment is reversible, you can either maintain regular replacements throughout your lifetime or return to your natural teeth.

    What are the Cons of Composite Veneers?

    Composite veneers are ideal if you want a quick, short-term treatment to improve your smile.

    The downsides are:

    • They can stain easily – especially if you smoke or drink a lot of coffee
    • They can chip or crack – particularly if you’re not careful when eating or you bite your nails regularly
    • They’ll need regular replacing – usually every 5-7 years, depending on how well you care for them

    Are Composite Veneers Worth it?

    Composite veneers are less expensive than porcelain – usually because they don’t last as long and are not as durable. However, they are a great solution if you’re looking for a less invasive treatment or if you’re not ready to commit to a permanent solution.

    What are Porcelain Veneers?

    Porcelain veneers are thin, tooth-shaped covers that are placed over your entire tooth to change its overall appearance. They are a more durable, permanent solution to improve your smile. To install the covers, your natural teeth need to be filed down, which means you can’t remove your veneers unless you are getting new ones.

    How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?

    Provided you look after your porcelain veneers well, they can last a long time.

    Kept in good condition, you can keep the same coverings between 10-15 years. If you make regular trips to the dentist and follow proper maintenance consistently, they could even last as long as 20 years.

    What are the Cons of Porcelain Veneers?

    There aren’t many downsides to choosing porcelain vs composite veneers.

    Since they are more expensive than composite, you’ll usually find you have much more flexibility with your lifestyle choices.

    However, it’s important to note that they:

    • Can’t be removed – since your teeth must be filed down to secure the covers
    • Can make your teeth more sensitive – although the increased sensitivity can lessen over time

    Are Porcelain Veneers Worth it?

    Opting for porcelain is more expensive, but it can last much longer. Plus, you usually have more flexibility and won’t have to change your lifestyle habits too much.

    Deciding whether they’re worth it for you depends on many factors.

    Overall, porcelain:

    • Is a more permanent solution
    • Provides a more natural-looking treatment
    • Allows you to have a more flexible lifestyle

    We also find that porcelain works better if you’re older or have issues with your gums, since they can be softer on your gum line.

    Which is Better – Composite vs Porcelain Veneers?

    Deciding which is better (composite vs porcelain) depends on your lifestyle, budget and what you want to achieve with your smile.

    With composite veneers, you’ll have:

    • Reversal options – you can remove them and go back to your natural teeth at any time
    • Quicker treatment – composite veneers can be fitted to your teeth in one sitting
    • Less expense initially – although replacement costs can add up over a lifetime

    But you’ll also need to:

    • Watch what you eat or drink – things like coffee, beer and apple juice can cause stains over time
    • Consider your habits – things like nail-biting, teeth-grinding or smoking can quickly damage and stain composite
    • Be prepared to regularly replace them – typically every 5-7 years

    With porcelain veneers, you can enjoy:

    • A longer-lasting treatment
    • More resistance to stains
    • Increased durability

    Although you’ll still need to:

    • Care for them properly – with regular flossing, brushing, and trips to the dentist
    • Be careful – porcelain veneers can still chip, particularly when doing things like eating hard-boiled sweets
    • Undergo replacement treatments – which could be every 10-20 years

    Conclusion

    Investing in veneers to improve your smile is a life-long commitment, so it’s important to choose the right solution for your teeth and lifestyle.

    At Saving Faces, our friendly team of experts are happy to chat about your options. We can help you explore what you want to achieve with your smile and decide which option is right for you and your lifestyle.

    Book a consultation with us today to learn more.