Dental veneers can transform your smile by covering aesthetic issues like gaps, chips, and stains in one step. At Dental Associates, you may choose between two types of veneers: porcelain and composite. Each veneer system has pros and cons, but both can produce outstanding results.
In this blog, we explore the uses of porcelain and cosmetic veneers, comparing their cost, durability, and the quality of the results.
How Veneers Work
Dental veneers are slim sheets of porcelain or composite material, crafted to fit snugly on the tooth surfaces that show when you smile. To apply veneers, we must remove a wafer-thin layer of natural tooth enamel to ensure the best fit.
Veneers can replace multiple cosmetic procedures in one or two appointments. Since we can correct numerous issues at once, veneers are an excellent value.
Veneers can correct the appearance of the following aesthetic issues:
- Chips
- Gaps
- Stains
- Slightly misshapen teeth
- Mild irregularities in alignment
Compare Costs
Cost is a crucial factor in many cosmetic dentistry decisions:
- Porcelain: These veneers cost considerably more per tooth, but they are stain- and chip-resistant with a closer match to healthy tooth enamel.
- Composite: This system is less costly but has a few drawbacks compared to porcelain.
Explore Durability
- Porcelain: These veneers last longer than composites. They are chip-resistant and stain-resistant. However, if these veneers break or fall off, their replacements cost more than composites. If you break or lose a veneer, you will need to replace it in two appointments.
- Composite: Composites are more prone to staining, but if they chip or detach, we can repair them much more easily during a single office visit.
Examine the Results
- Porcelain: These veneers are the gold standard for appearance. Their luster equals or exceeds that of healthy tooth enamel.
- Composite: These veneers are attractive, and we can polish them to a high shine. However, composite resin cannot quite match the aesthetic quality of porcelain.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Veneers
Which patients should consider dental veneers?
Many patients with multiple cosmetic dental problems receive veneers. Porcelain veneers can bring you the brilliant smile desired by actors, executives, and others with high public visibility. Composites cost less, but patients must take care not to stain their veneers with darkly pigmented food or beverages.
How long does it take to get dental veneers?
Porcelain veneers typically take two appointments spaced a few weeks apart. During the first appointment, we will take detailed measurements and digital impressions to ensure an ideal fit. We send the veneers to a dental laboratory that meets high-quality standards. When the veneers return from the lab, we will need one more appointment to check the fit and affix them to your teeth.
Making composite veneers is both an art and a science. Composite veneers offer greater convenience because they require only one appointment. Your cosmetic dentist will create and place the veneers while you wait.
At Dental Associates, we provide Farmington residents and those from neighboring communities with advanced dental care in a friendly environment. Our talented team collaborates to create your ideal smile on your schedule. To schedule an appointment, please get in touch with us today.