Get the perfect smile you deserve with composite or porcelain veneers!

Are you interested in cosmetic dentistry but aren’t sure what the differences are between composite vs. porcelain veneers? Here’s what you need to know when you’re choosing between composite vs. porcelain veneers.

Similarities between Composite vs. Porcelain Veneers

Both composite and porcelain veneers involve full or partial facings of teeth that enhance the beauty of your smile. They can improve a variety of dental problems including: spaces between teeth, crooked teeth, broken or chipped teeth or stained teeth.

Differences between Composite vs. Porcelain Veneers

Composite Veneers

A composite veneer may be directly placed (built-up in the mouth), or indirectly fabricated and later bonded to the tooth, typically using a cement resin.

• Aesthetics: Composite veneers are more opaque than porcelain veneers and therefore don’t mimic the polish of tooth enamel quite as well.
• Lifespan: Composite veneers typically last between 4-8 years.
• Cost: The cost of composite veneers is about half that of porcelain veneers.
• Advantages: The greatest advantage of composite veneers is that it is an additive process that is reversible and can be removed and replaced as needed. Composite veneers can also be fixed if they break unlike porcelain veneers.
• Disadvantages: Composite veneers tend to stain more often because of its porosity, the void spaces in the material, which means they require more maintenance.

Porcelain Veneers

In contrast to a composite veneer, a porcelain veneer may only be indirectly fabricated.

• Aesthetics: Porcelain veneers have a glass-like translucency that closely mimics the characteristics of tooth enamel.
• Lifespan: Porcelain veneers are more durable and last between 12-25 years.
• Cost: Porcelain veneers are about twice as expensive as composite veneers and can cost up to $2,000 a tooth.
• Advantages: Since porcelain is a ceramic (an impervious glass-like substance) it is extremely resistant to stain and chipping as compared to composite veneers, which means porcelain veneers rarely require maintenance.
• Disadvantages: Because porcelain veneers are very thin, they are inherently brittle. For people who grind their teeth porcelain veneers might not be desirable because when the veneer breaks it can’t be repaired, it must be remade.

We hope this list of attributes helps you better choose between composite vs. porcelain veneers to help you determine which type of material is right for you. Deciding on the right dental veneers and taking into consideration your individual needs, will ensure you get the smile you’ve always dreamed of. If you would like more information on cosmetic dentistry and the differences between composite vs. porcelain veneers, check out our Cosmetic Dentistry page or call our offices in NYC today!