How to Choose Between Porcelain and Composite Veneers for Your Smile

It can be difficult to feel confident when you don’t love your smile. Oftentimes, cosmetic imperfections like chipped teeth, misalignments, and discoloration can cause insecurities in patients. This is why veneers have become increasingly popular over the last decade. Most cosmetic dentists in Woodbridge would tell you that veneers are one of the best ways to improve the aesthetics of your smile and address particular cosmetic or functional concerns. However, there are two different types of veneers available, both of which can effectively address cosmetic issues. There are composite veneers and porcelain veneers. If you are unsure of which option may be best suited to you, continue reading, as this blog will outline key differences and their best uses. If you are looking for a dentist in Woodbridge who offers both varieties of veneers, look no further than Mackenzie Dental Centre. Contact us today to book a consultation with our veneer dentists! 

What Can Veneers Treat?

Veneers can be used to treat a variety of cosmetic and functional issues with your teeth, whether you want to change your whole smile or fix a troublesome tooth. Veneers can be used for:

• Discolouration: If you are concerned about the colour of your teeth, veneers can be used to create a newer, whiter smile by covering your natural teeth.
• Cracks and Chips: If you have a cracked tooth or are missing a part of a tooth, dental veneers can be used to restore it to its original size and shape
• Misalignments: If you have a few teeth that are heavily misaligned to the point where they are impacting the functionality of your teeth, you can use dental veneers to create a straighter smile.
• Gaps: If you have gaps between your teeth, veneers can be inserted to fill in the gap or widen the two teeth, causing the gap. 
• Smile Makeover: If you are completely unhappy with your smile and want to alter the shape, colour, size, and style of your teeth, veneers are the best way to do that.

Porcelain vs Composite Veneers

Cosmetic dentists usually offer two main types of veneers which are porcelain and composite. Both of these are excellent options for restoring your smile, but the products themselves are pretty different.

Porcelain veneers are extremely popular and are the type of veneers that most people are familiar with. Porcelain veneers are essentially tooth caps that are placed and bonded over your natural teeth. Although they are called porcelain veneers, they can also be made of ceramic material as well. Typically, your natural teeth need to be prepared before the application. They will need to be shaved to ensure that the veneers can fit on top of them. These are very durable and can last for over 10-15 years, and typically, only a couple of teeth need some adjustments after this time.

Composite veneers are less popular but are still very useful for treating cosmetic dental issues. Composite veneers are made from a resin composite material that can be layered and sculpted directly on the tooth. This does not require a great deal of preparation and can be conducted within a single visit. This option is less invasive, and the natural teeth do not need to be shaved. The composite material is simply applied and cured directly onto the natural tooth. These typically last around seven years. 

Best Applications for Both Types of Veneers

After outlining the key differences between porcelain and composite veneers, it becomes more apparent as to what the best applications are for both types:

Porcelain

• Smile Makeover: Porcelain can provide a much larger transformation as the veneers can be customized entirely to your needs and wants. 
• Discolouration: Composite does not allow you to change the colour of your teeth, whereas you can select a custom shade of white with porcelain veneers.
• Tooth Shape and Size: If you want to create a new teeth shape and size, porcelain veneers can be customized to do so. Composite cannot change the size of your teeth. 

Composite

• Chips: If you have one problematic tooth that is suffering from a crack, composite can be used to treat it quickly and painlessly.
• Minor Cosmetic Issues: If you have one or a few teeth that are not in an ideal shape, composite is the best way to fix them. You can easily square off a couple of rounded teeth for a consistent smile with no shaving required.
• Gaps: Composite is an excellent choice for fixing a tooth gap. The composite can be directly applied to the area, and you can determine how small you want the gap to be. 

Pick a Reputable Dentist in Woodbridge for Your Veneers

Enhancing your smile with veneers can significantly boost your confidence and address various cosmetic concerns. Understanding the difference between composite and porcelain veneers can help you make a more informed decision that is suited to your needs. If you're considering veneers and want expert guidance, our team at Mackenzie Dental Centre is here to help. As a trusted cosmetic dentist in Woodbridge, we are dedicated to helping you achieve the smile you've always wanted. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with our dentist in Woodbridge!

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