Porcelain Veneers vs Composite Veneers: What’s the Best Option?

Ultimately, the answer to this question will be determined by your specific dental needs, budget and desired outcome. A consultation with one of our highly experienced QVA dentists will give you all the details and expert advice you need to make an informed decision.

What we will aim to do below is a general comparison of porcelain and composite veneers and the reasons why some people choose one over the other.

The primary use of veneers is to create a more aesthetically pleasing smile, although veneers can also offer functional benefits in some cases. 

Whether made from porcelain or composite resin, veneers are a thin layer of material, custom designed to cover one or more teeth for improved appearance.

Porcelain veneers are the gold standard in cosmetic dentistry because of their durability, longevity, and very realistic appearance.

Here are some of the benefits you can expect with porcelain veneers.

If you enjoy drinking coffee, tea, wine or other food and beverages that stain teeth, then the non-porous material used in porcelain veneers offers great stain resistance. 

With composite veneers the composite resin is porous and so more prone to staining. In time, the colour of porcelain will last longer and offer a more attractive smile.

When fitted well and cared for correctly, you can expect porcelain veneers to last in excess of 10 years. 

Porcelain is resistant to cracking and chipping so your smile will remain intact for many years. Comparatively, composite veneers typically last 5-7 years.

The ongoing care for porcelain veneers is just like caring for natural teeth. That means brushing and flowing regularly and continuing your usual check ups with your dentist to ensure your teeth are healthy. 

Composite veneers require more regular cleaning and maintenance at home and with check ups from your dentist to maintain their look and quality.

The porcelain used to make the veneers can achieve practically any desired shade of white while mimicking the translucent appearance of natural tooth enamel. As such, porcelain veneers can be used to help achieve a beautiful, natural looking smile.

Composite resins do not have the same properties to mimic the light reflection of natural enamel. So for the best natural-looking appearance, porcelain veneers are the winner. We have written this guide on what to expect with porcelain veneers.

When compared with composite veneers, porcelain veneers come out on top in terms of overall quality, durability, and natural appearance. So what advantages can there be with composite veneers? Let’s take a look.

Composite veneers are an economical alternative to porcelain, at least in terms of the initial investment required. The material used to make composite veneers is a tooth coloured resin that is bonded directly to teeth so less preparation and application time is required than with porcelain veneers. Here is a guide showing the cost of porcelain veneers.

The initial investment required for porcelain veneers is higher but it’s worth looking at the longer term pay off in your calculations.

Composite veneers require minimal preparation and can often be fitted within one visit after the initial consultation, thus offering almost immediate results. The process for getting porcelain veneers only takes a matter of weeks but with some extra time required for preparation, they are not as fast to apply as composite veneers.

Composite veneers are considered a more conservative treatment option. When porcelain veneers are fitted, a small amount of enamel is removed from the teeth for a perfect fit. On account of this, restoration is required from time to time. 

Composite veneers on the other hand can be removed and replaced more easily which allows for greater flexibility with future treatment options.

Composite veneers require minimal tooth preparation. They can also be easily removed or replaced, allowing greater flexibility in terms of treatment options. 

While composite veneers are not as durable as porcelain, if a composite veneer does crack or get chipped it can be repaired without having to replace the whole veneer for that tooth.

Hopefully that helps give you some idea as to the pros and cons of porcelain veneers vs composite veneers.

Overall, porcelain veneers come out on top in terms of quality and the visual appearance that can be achieved but there can be other factors to consider. Please appreciate that this article is only intended as a general overview.

If you are interested in a smile makeover, have a chat with your QVA dentist to see which options are available to you.