Choosing the Right Dental Veneer

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Dental veneers are of two types, those made of porcelain, called porcelain veneers, and those made of resin, called composite veneers. Veneers are thin shell-like covers that mask the surface and edges of one’s teeth. Dental veneers are often called “instant orthodontics,” since they are a convenient and quick solution for tooth flaws and for achieving that perfect smile. You can complete veneer treatment with just one or two office visits. In comparison, a course of braces may last upwards of two years.

Family dentists in Katy, Darling Dental, recommend dental veneers to fix the spaces between teeth, as well as misshapen, crooked, broken or chipped teeth, stained or yellowed teeth, as well as spots on the teeth.

 

Before you choose dental implants, Invisalign or porcelain veneers, read on to learn more about them and make an informed decision.

 

Porcelain vs Composite Veneers

 

  • Strength– Porcelain is the stronger of the two materials used for making dental veneers. If cleaned and maintained with care, these veneers can last up to 10 to 15 years, while the average life of resin veneers is only about 4 to 5 years. Kids & children’s dentists suggest getting these for young ones, since their teeth are more vulnerable to external damage.

 

  • Quality and Appearance– Porcelain is considered a superior choice when it comes to constructing a more natural looking veneer. It has a translucent property, which mimics the human tooth enamel. Porcelain itself is resistant to chipping and a glazing process included in the treatment also makes it resistant to staining. Resin, on the other hand, due to its porous quality, is more susceptible to staining. People with resin veneers often have to keep a check on their diet to avoid foods that may stain the veneer, such as coffee, tea, red wine, citrus fruits, pigmented berries and more. Composite veneers also do not look as natural and have to be polished to get the closest possible tooth-like appearance.

 

  • Viability– Composite veneers may not be able to cover up certain dental defects, such as significant discoloration or wider spaces between the teeth, while porcelain ones can fix almost any kinds of dental flaw, genetic or acquired.

 

  • Cost – The lower durability and aesthetic appearance of composite resin veneers make them cheaper than porcelain. It is also worth noting that a composite veneer costs half as much as a porcelain but its life is less than half that of a porcelain veneer. So, the cost in the long run does even out.

 

  • Time– Composite veneers take less time to be placed, since these are sculpted directly onto the teeth. On the other hand, porcelain veneers are constructed in a lab and require you to visit the clinic at least twice, once to get your tooth reshaping done and again to get the veneer fixed. But you know what they say, good things take time.

 

Porcelain veneers are definitely the better choice here, as they look more natural, and the initial investment seems worth it if you consider the extra durability and natural look. Besides using veneers, you can also perfect your smile with Invisalign to check malocclusion or get dental implants for missing teeth or gaps.