Composite vs. porcelain veneers?

Composite vs. porcelain veneers? Both treatments involve full or partial facings of teeth that when properly done can enhance the beauty of your smile. Today’s composite materials can provide a life like beautiful appearance that is conservative of tooth structure and can last for a long time. 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.

With composite veneers the resin is applied in layers to the tooth and sculpted directly in the mouth to achieve the desired esthetic the patient is looking for. Composite veneers are used in situations in which there is chipping or discoloration of natural teeth. They are also used where there are minor misalignments of teeth to give teeth the appearance of more aligned teeth.

The greatest advantage of composite veneers is that it is an additive process that is reversible and can be removed and replaced as needed. Beautiful natural esthetics can be achieved in the right hands. Composite veneer therapy is an art. Aesthetic dentistry is not for all dentists and involves extreme attention to detail. When accomplished properly no one should know you had the treatment.

Porcelain veneer therapy involves removal of a thin approximately finger nail thickness layer of the tooth’s enamel followed by the bonding of a thin sculpted porcelain veneer. This procedure is used when there is more severe discoloration, malformation or misalignment of teeth.

Advantages of porcelain veneers are their extreme resistance to stain and chipping as compared to composite veneers.

In general both procedures can produce beautiful natural aesthetic results. Your doctor can help you decide which procedure or combination of procedures is right for you.