Choosing Between The Two Types Of Veneers

Porcelain  veneers are very thin, wafer-like, transparent dental materials used to cover the surface of a deformed or damaged teeth. These are usually best for the treatment of external teeth problems such as stains, gaps, breaks and chips. When these are used, the teeth’s shape, luster and shade can immediately and significantly transform.

Types Of Veneers

There are two major types of dental veneers. These are porcelain veneers and composite veneers. From their name itself, the former is made using porcelain while the latter uses composite resin. Although both are equally beneficial in dental treatment, there are some marked differences between the two.

Difference Between Porcelain and Composite Veneers

The main difference between the two cosmetic dentistry procedures lies in the type of material that is used to create them. Porcelain is a high quality ceramic that uses the most refined and purified type of glass. Because of its superior purity, it is able to form the most translucent veneer that blends well with the natural color of the real teeth. On the other hand, composite resin is created using synthetic, artificial materials and substances that are made to resemble the natural color of the teeth. These chemicals are combined to make the resin.

Porcelain Veneers VS. Composite Veneers

Because of its varied nature, each type of veneer has several benefits that the other does not have. For porcelain, its top benefits include its durability, translucence and stain-resistant properties. First, porcelain is durable in spite of its very thin density. The moment it is glued to the surface of the teeth, its users are assured that it can stay there from 10 to 15 years. Secondly, its translucent nature provides a very natural looking dental material that blends extremely well with the shade of the real teeth. This is a characteristic that composite resin cannot provide. Thirdly, porcelain is very smooth that is why it can resist stains easily. Composite resin, however, is not a stain-resistant material.

While porcelain has its obvious advantages, there are two key benefits that only composite resin can provide. First, composite resin can be made into veneers quickly. Unlike porcelain which takes at least two dental visits to complete because it has to be fabricated in the laboratory, the cosmetic dental procedure involving composite resin can be fitted and finished in just a single visit. Thus, patients who are in a hurry to see the effects of veneers on their teeth may choose to have the composite over the porcelain type. Secondly, composite veneers are more affordable than porcelain. This is mainly due to the high cost of porcelain, the expertise required in making them and the time it takes to finish them.

Which Is better: Composite Or Porcelain?

There is no specific answer to the question of which among the two is a better type of veneer. It is really up to the patient to decide on what she or he thinks is most beneficial and suitable for him or her. What is important is that the patient carefully analyzes the benefits and drawbacks of each kind before coming up with a decision.

The Right Calgary Dentist

In order to get a good return to one’s investment, patients must choose the right dentist who will provide them with veneers. Dr. Shane Hopp, one of our Calgary dentists is one of the highly recommended dentists because of his extensive experience and training in the veneer technology. Our Calgary dental clinic commits to provide the best quality of service that will surely satisfy their patients.

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