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

Composite Veneers and Porcelain Laminate Veneers are both fine resotrations, but there are some differences.

1. Composite veneers do not cost as much as porcelain veneers.

2. Composite veneers are not as aesthetic as porcelain veneers.

3.  Composite veneers are not as durability as porcelain veneers.

4. Composite veneers do not last as long as porcelain veneers. 

If you are looking for the option that is better long term then I would go with the porcelain veneers!  Good luck.

Composite is a porous material, meaning it can stain overtime, and composite bonding material is not as strong as porcelain, however composite dental bonding works well for closing small gaps. Porcelain veneers are more durable and stronger, especially if covering the edges of chewing surfaces, plus they are more color stable. Be informed that  porcelain veneers cost more than composites, and it usually requires two visits, initial visit is the preparation of teeth and temporary stage, the second visit is seating the porcelain veneers plus final adjustments.

The answers are done very clearly below. However-Find an experienced Cosmetic Dentist to evaluate what you really need. For instance, sometimes bonding is better, sometimes it just won’t work. A lot depends on the skills of your dentist! Keep smiling!

Imagine Two Artists
Imagine asking two portrait artists which paint is better - oil paints or acrylics? Each artist has a preferred artistic medium, and either artist might be able to paint a beautiful portrait that looks realistic and lasts. But which one is better? If you asked the oil painter to paint you a acrylic portrait, you might not get the kind of result you were expecting. And that painter might tell you that acrylic paint is dull, drippy, and can't look real. They're not lying to you, but in their limited experience of working with a different artistic medium, they believe that the same result "just cannot be achieved." They key is finding the uniquely talented artists that can work with both both oils and acrylics... and maybe even watercolors too. See where this is heading?
Comparable Options
Composite and Porcelain Veneers are nearly 100% comparable options in the modern day. Modern composite is super strong, beautiful, and highly polishable. The difference today is really which artistic medium best achieves your desired result. Either porcelain or composite veneers sometimes requires taking the dental drill to the whole visible surface of the tooth. And sometimes no use of the drill is necessary at all for either option. In my practice, the fee for composite veneers and porcelain veneers are the same. We choose together which material to use based on the amount of damage originally done to the tooth, your color goals, the existing dentistry that may be present, etc. The key is finding a cosmetic dentist who has both training AND experience with both materials. 
Beware of Overly Strong Opinions and "Oil-Only Painters"
Any dentist who would tell you that composite is dull, weak, or has bad margins is simply not experienced with working with that material. Or their personal experience has, in fact, been very bad. This is the oil painter that tells you that acrylics or watercolor paint is a horrible artistic medium.  They are right... but only for them. Some dentists are extremely talented with porcelain. It's their preferred artistic medium, and the material they gravitate most towards as "the best." Some dentists are extremely talented with composite resins, and prefer that as their artistic medium. You might consider asking your dentist about their experience with both materials, and their experience and results with them. And if you are really hoping to weigh your options between Porcelain vs. Composite, you might choose to seek out someone who truly works with both. Accomplished cosmetic dentists will be very happy to share with you before and after examples of their work with both materials.
No matter which option you ultimately choose... BOTH materials require special care and maintenance!
Jason R. Tubo, DMD, MAGD

Composite is a resin material which lacks luster, strength and is permeable to stain. It also has poor marginal adaptability which with time can cause gingival inflammation.  Porcelain on the other hand is strong, can be polished to high luster, and is stable in terms of shade and marginal adaptability. 

In the past, porcelain was the only material available for veneers. To apply porcelain veneers, a dentist will remove a layer of your enamel so that the porcelain will bond. Porcelain is extremely resistant to stains and has a good aesthetic outcome. Composite veneers use newer materials that are combined with porcelain to become a hybrid. Composite materials allow dentists to conserve tooth structure and can be removed or replaced as needed. They are generally thinner and stronger than porcelain veneers, making them more expensive.

Composite = lesser cost, weaker, not as esthetic, plastic-ish, temporary
Porcelain = more cost, life like, stronger, lasts longer, more glossy, smooth, superior than composite

Porcelain veneers often last longer compared to composite bonding veneers. With porcelain veneers, the restoration itself can be a very beautiful, thin, life-like porcelain that can mimic natural teeth and not appear fake, if done well. They can last anywhere from 8-10 years (or even more if you take good care of them). Composite bonding or composite veneers CAN look very natural if done well but typically do not last as long as porcelain veneers as composite material tends to fade, dull, wear, and even stain over time. I typically do not recommend getting composite veneers as a long term option. Composite veneers require a significant amount of skill and time, so if you do decide to pick this option, make sure to pick a skilled doctor that is comfortable with the procedure. 

You have already read multiple differences between the two. As someone who has done and seen multiple cases of both of these treatments here are some things to consider. 

Composite veneers while they can be added to, adjusted, and replaced are much less expensive but lets consider the long term effects of it. If it has the cost per tooth as porcelain veneers but you have to replace them every couple of years then that makes them more expensive long term. 

Porcelain veneers are a huge investment for anyone but when you look at the cost overtime its not as significant as one might think. There was some numbers crunched that it would cost you less then a cup of Starbucks everyday for the next 5 years. And on average if a patient takes care of them and comes to their regular maintenance visits they can last 10+ years if not the rest of your life if done correctly and a compliant patient. 

Hope this helps 
Dr. Rami Essak 

Hello! The following are the differences about Bonding Veneers and Porcelain Veneers, I hope you find them helpful! 
Bonding Veneers

They have a lower cost
They can be made in one or a maximum of two consecutive appointments
There’s no need to wear down the teeth
They’re universal, so any dentist all over the world can easily repair them
They last 8 to 10 years approximately
They need frequent maintenance
Porcelain Veneers (Lumineers)

They are made in two separate appointments with 5 to 10 working days in between, depending on the number of veneers required
They are always shiny
They require low maintenance (only the yearly professional teeth cleaning, as you’d do with your natural teeth)
The colour is uniform and doesn’t change at all
They don’t suffer any changes or shrinking
They don’t get stained
They don’t have any internal bubbles or pores
They can’t be repaired, if broken, they’d have to be made and replaced again (which can take a couple of days)
They last 12 to 15 years approximately