Composite or Porcelain: Which Will You Choose?
The pros and cons of composite resin or porcelain veneers for your brand-new dazzling smile.
Veneers have long been the go-to solution for celebrities who want to transform the teeth they were born with into that dazzling Hollywood smile. Now made even more popular by reality TV stars and social media influencers, veneers have hit the high street to provide an effective and affordable way for consumers to enhance their appearance. But as an irreversible procedure, it’s essential that dental patients choose the right solution to suit their existing smile and their finances.
Composite and porcelain are the two options to choose from when it comes to veneers. A professional veneers Essex team explains that both have their individual pros and cons, but either have the ability to completely revamp your smile and enhance your personal appearance phenomenally. It can be tricky to know whether to choose composite or porcelain veneers, but this will depend largely on your budget, the existing condition of your teeth and your lifestyle. Let’s examine composite resin and veneers in closer detail.
Composite Resin Veneers
Composite resin is by far the more affordable type of veneers to choose, costing roughly half of the price of porcelain veneers depending on the cosmetic dentist you choose as well as any discounts that may be available for having multiple teeth treated. Another advantage of selecting composite resin over porcelain is that they tend to be a quicker treatment option so you can start to enjoy your brand-new smile asap.
Where composites fall a little short is that the material isn’t as durable as your porcelain alternative. Composite resin is somewhat porous which means that you if indulge in certain lifestyle treats such as red wine, coffee, dark chocolate or any other strong-coloured foods and beverages, then unfortunately you may find that these stain your composite veneers in the same way they would your existing teeth. On the other hand, you can prevent staining of your composite veneers by making healthy lifestyle choices and following positive dental hygiene which is necessary anyway to preserve the rest of your smile.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are undoubtedly more expensive than composites, but the reward for investing in this option is that you can expect them to last for between 10-15 years before you need to replace them with new veneers. In comparison, composites have a typical lifespan of 4-8 years.
Porcelain also provides your smile with an incredibly natural look, and you’ll find the material to have a translucent sheen which is similar to your authentic tooth enamel. A glaze coats the veneers following treatment which prevents them from staining and also ensures that they’re chip-resistant.
Before treatment, your teeth will be prepared by removing a small amount of surface enamel so that your veneers can be bonded securely into place. You’ll also have a mould of your teeth taken and make decisions about the shade of your veneers to ensure that they’re a fantastic addition to your smile.
Whether you choose composite or porcelain veneers is a very personal decision, which may be based on affordability. Speak frankly with your cosmetic dentist so you can be guided by their viewpoint as well as learning about any payment plans that can help you spread the cost of your new smile over a few months.
