Composite Vs. Porcelain Veneers, What's the Difference?

Composite resin veneers can be applied in one day, last 4 - 8 years, and require maintenance (they chip). The cost is less - about half of a Porcelain Restoration. Porcelain Veneers are more durable, last 12-25 years and rarely require maintenance. Both can be used for a variety of esthetic situations and results can be amazing. Both approaches should begin with a thorough Cosmetic Analysis to access the patients desires and needs.

Both treatments involve full or partial facings of teeth that, when properly done, can enhance the beauty of your smile. Veneer therapy is used in cases in which more is needed to be done to accomplish natural esthetics. Veneers can be used in more severe misalignment, form, color and spacing issues. Composite veneers Today’s composite materials can provide a life-like, beautiful appearance that is conservative of tooth structure and can last for a long time. With composite veneers... more

Composite is essentially a reinforced plastic. With today’s technology it is much stronger and more aesthetic than ever before. However, it can wear under pressure, and it is not as stain resistant or color stable as porcelain. Porcelain veneers yield a truer color, a much longer lasting finish, do not fracture as readily, and are better aesthetically.

Composite veneers come it two ways, direct or indirect. Indirect is when impressions are taken and a lab fabricates the materials which are then bonded in place at another appointment. Porcelain veneers are done indirectly as well. Direct composite veneers are done in one visit and are sculpted at the time of placement. The final result depends entirely on the skill and artistry of the dentist, but does not last as long as indirect veneers, both composite or porcelain. Depending on the... more

If you're looking for a permanent solution on chipped or discolored front  teeth veneers is the best option of course. veneers are not porous like bonding material and last a life time, bonding material tends to chip off and discolor. veneers are made of  a thin porcelain material that is cemented on your teeth giving your teeth a natural look not bulky, bonding material has to be put on in layers, Usually experienced cosmetic dentist do not bond front teeth because of the... more

Patients ask me all the time what the difference is between composite and porcelain veneers.  I explain that composite is a plastic and therefore, porous, weaker, more likely to stain and chip and it has limitations on how big of a filling it can handle.  Porcelain is color stable because there is a glaze placed on the outside, it is stronger so less chipping, and can fill in much larger spaces than composite (think if you have big spaces between the teeth, very short teeth... more

The are five different kinds of veneers.  There are two materials, porcelain and composite and there are three different preparation techniques.  No prep is the most desirable because no shots are needed and no tooth structure is removed.  The problem with this technique is that it is difficult to improve severely crooked or dark teeth.  The other two techniques ate minimal prep and traditional prep techniques.The darker the teeth and more crooked, the more... more

Here are some characteristics of both- Composite:   - Engineered resin or plastic -Tends to stain more easily because of it's porosity (and it absorbs water) - Needs to be polished exceedingly well to look natural - Can be placed more conservatively than veneers (less tooth reduction is most cases)   Porcelain veneers: -Most beautiful restoration available in cosmetic dentistry.  Mimics nature the best - Does not stain because it... more

Composite is applied in layers with out any depth of color or translucency teeth usually “look dead”. Composites are easily chipped, stained, their life is very short. Veneers are very thin porcelain shields which are cemented on teeth. They have all the natural translucency and depth of color as natural enamel, with a very long life.

Composite veneers are a resin material that is bonded and molded to the front facing of the teeth. They are not life-like because they don't have the same optical properties as porcelain, which is the closest to mimicking natural tooth structure. Porcelain veneers are more resistant to stain, stronger, and more natural looking. They also last longer.