If flashing a bright, wide smile is important to you, and you’re looking for a quick and painless way to upgrade your smile and confidence, composite veneers may be the perfect choice for you. These tooth-colored, thin shells are custom-made to fit over the fronts of your teeth, and can be used to cover up imperfections like chipped, eroded, discolored, or misshapen teeth. Whether you’re looking for a subtle change to your smile, or a dramatic enhancement, composite veneers offer a budget-friendly solution to improving your smile.
What’s The Difference Between Composite Vs. Porcelain Veneers?
Before we jump into the pros and cons of choosing composite veneers, there is a second type of veneer you may be considering – porcelain. While both composite and porcelain veneers can be used to achieve a similar end result – a brighter, more beautiful smile – there are some key differences between the two that you should consider when deciding which type of veneer is right for you.
- The main difference between composite vs. porcelain veneers is in the material used for each. As the name suggests, composite veneers are made from a tooth-colored resin that is bonded to the front surface of your teeth. Porcelain veneers are made from porcelain, which looks identical to natural teeth and is quite durable.
- Another key difference between composite vs. porcelain is in their strength and durability. While composite veneers are typically more affordable than porcelain veneers, they are also less durable and may not last as long. Porcelain veneers are more resistant to staining and chipping, and are commonly used in smile makeovers, as they can provide a long-lasting solution to stubborn cases of tooth discoloration or minor misalignment.
Ultimately, the choice between composite vs. porcelain veneers will depend on your specific needs and budget. To help you narrow down the choice, we’ve outlined the pros and cons of composite veneers below, but if you’re still not sure which option is right for you, you can speak with one of our dentists to learn more.
What Are The Pros & Cons Of Composite Veneers?
As with any dental procedure, composite veneers do have some pros and cons. Here are some of the main benefits and drawbacks to consider.
Pros
- Affordability: because composite veneers can be applied in as little as one day, and because they’re made from a resin-base, they are more affordable than their porcelain counterparts. If you require small repairs for chips, have minor misalignment, or slight discolorations, composite veneers are an excellent choice when it comes to cost.
- Quick & Convenient: composite veneers can be applied to your teeth same-day, due to their resin-based material, which makes them quick and convenient to get. Porcelain veneers have a more involved process, which includes taking impressions of your teeth, preparing and etching the surface of your teeth, and bonding the porcelain to them. As a result, porcelain veneers can take two or three appointments.
- Natural-Looking: composite veneers are color-matched to the exact shade of your natural teeth, so you come away with a beautiful, bright, and natural-looking smile. The shade is often matched to the whites of your eyes, but if you’d like to learn more, we have an entire guide on choosing veneer shapes and shades.
- Easy to Repair & Maintain: because composite veneers are made of resin, they can be repaired easily if chipped, and can even be removed in the case of an emergency or an accident. If your porcelain veneers are chipped, they cannot be repaired and must be replaced.
Cons
- Shorter Lifespan & Less Durability: the downside to getting composite vs. porcelain veneers is that composite has a shorter lifespan, due to being less durable. With composite, you’re looking at an average lifespan of 5-7 years, while porcelain has a 10+ year lifespan if properly maintained. Fortunately, if your composite veneers do get damaged, they can easily be fixed and are cheaper to do so.
- Can Stain Easily: composite veneers are just as prone to staining as your natural teeth are. This means that you should avoid smoking and drinking coffee, tea, & red wine, to keep your composite veneers looking their best.
- Not As Realistic Looking as Porcelain: though composite veneers can be color-matched to your existing teeth and are an excellent option if you’re looking for a natural look, they’re not as realistic looking as porcelain veneers.
How Budget-Friendly Are Composite Veneers?
While composite veneers are more budget-friendly than other options, they can still be pretty pricey depending on how many imperfections you’re looking to fix. The average cost per tooth for a composite veneer ranges between $250-1,500, while porcelain veneers are around double this in the $900-2,500/tooth range. These amounts are in ranges as these can fluctuate based on your geographical region, your dental office, and how many veneers are required.
Are There Alternative Solutions to Composite Veneer Treatment?
If composite veneers are out of your budget, and you need alternative treatment options to enhance your smile, there are a few options you can explore.
- Dental Bonding: while very similar to composite veneers, dental bonding applies and hardens a resin-based material to a very specific area on your teeth, while veneers cover the entire surface of your tooth. Dental bonding is a quick, and affordable way to fix minor misalignment, chips, or staining in a single area.
- Teeth Reshaping/Contouring: if you’re looking to change the shape of your teeth, having them reshaped or contoured is an alternative option. This is done by removing small amounts of enamel to achieve your desired look. It can correct small chips, uneven tooth length, slight overlaps, and tooth edges that are too pointy or flat.
- Professional Teeth Whitening: if you want to address discoloration or staining, having professional teeth whitening done can give you a brighter, whiter, and more natural-looking smile. The whitening gel will break down stains and discoloration over time, giving you a smile that’s several shades whiter.
- Invisalign/Braces: if you have many misshapen teeth, Invisalign or traditional braces may be the way to go over composite veneers. While this option is often considered expensive upfront, it may cost you less over time if you were considering several veneers at once. Invisalign or braces are also a permanent solution that is proven to be effective at achieving a straight smile.
At Spring Haven Dental, we pride ourselves on providing our patients with a wide range of affordable, effective solutions to help improve the look and health of their smiles. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly solution to fix a minor misalignment, or are looking for a more permanent solution to improve the shape and color of your teeth, we have the experience and expertise needed to help you reach your desired smile. So, if you’re ready to give your smile a boost, contact us today to learn more about all of our available treatment options!
