Veneers - Porcelain or Composite?

Heard about dental veneers but unsure about the difference they could make to your teeth? Ocean Clinic’s cosmetic dentistry expert Dr. Paul Arts explains how both types of veneer work...

Veneers are made to make your teeth look better, nothing more and nothing less. They consist of a thin layer of either porcelain or composite that covers the frontal, visible side of your teeth. Colour, shape and, to a certain extent, the position can be changed. Veneers do not weaken your teeth.

Veneers are made of porcelain or composite. Composite can be done in one session, whereas porcelain takes two to four sessions as the porcelain veneers are made in the dental laboratory. Porcelain veneers are more laborious and hence cost more.

Often, before making the veneers, a digital design and/or a simulation of the treatment in wax on study models is required.

In most cases, little or nothing is taken away from your teeth. The composite veneers are made by laying a thin layer onto your teeth followed by finishing/polishing. For porcelain veneers impressions or a scan of your teeth are made, on which the dental technician can fabricate the veneers.

It takes approximately a week to 10 days before they return from the dental laboratory. In the meantime you might need provisional veneers. When the porcelain veneers are delivered, they will be tried in and placed on your teeth.

The main differences between porcelain and composite are:

PORCELAIN                      

-Keep colour life-long
-Life span 15-20 years
-Stronger, less chipping
-Difficult to repair       
-Two, three or four sessions
-€ 500-600 each
-Stunning  

COMPOSITE

-Will gradually become darker

-Life span 6-10 years

-May chip when biting something hard
-Easy to repair
-One session
-€ 175-250 each
-Beautiful

It may be difficult to choose between porcelain and composite. There are no fixed rules to choose one above the other. Discuss the pros and cons with your dentist.

You can find out more about cosmetic dentistry on our website. To arrange a consultation with Dr. Paul Arts contact Ocean Clinic Marbella on 951 775 518.