Composite, Porcelain or Zirconia: Choosing the right Veneer Material
At Nova Smiles, we understand the importance of a radiant smile and how it can positively impact every aspect of your life. This comprehensive guide is designed to walk you through the various options available in the world of veneers.
Our aim is to provide you with a thorough understanding of each type, helping you make an informed decision that best suits your needs and lifestyle.
Veneers are more than just a cosmetic choice; they reflect your personality and a commitment to your oral health. Whether you're looking to correct discolouration, fix chips, or simply desire a brighter, more uniform smile, veneers offer a solution that is as durable as it is beautiful.
With advancements in dental technology and materials, there’s never been a better time to explore veneers' possibilities. So, let's dive into the details and discover which type of veneer might be the perfect fit for your smile.
Read our full guide to dental veneers here
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Understanding dental veneers
Veneers are not just a pathway to a more attractive smile; they represent a fusion of art and science in cosmetic dentistry. Essentially, a dental veneer is a thin, custom-made shell designed to cover the front surface of your tooth.
They are primarily used to improve the appearance of teeth by altering their colour, shape, size, or length. Veneers are tailored to match your natural teeth, ensuring a seamless integration that enhances your smile while maintaining a natural look.
The benefits of veneers extend beyond mere aesthetics. They offer a protective layer to your teeth, safeguarding them against further damage or wear. This aspect is especially beneficial for teeth chipped, cracked or with minor structural damage.
One of the key advantages of veneers is their versatility. They can address various cosmetic concerns, from discolouration and staining that teeth whitening can't resolve to minor alignment issues that don't require orthodontic treatment. This makes them popular for those seeking a quick, effective solution to dental imperfections.
It's important to note that veneers are a semi-permanent solution. Once applied, they can last for many years with proper care and maintenance. The process usually involves minimal enamel removal to ensure a snug fit, making it a less invasive option than other dental restorations.
Composite Veneers
Composite veneers stand out in cosmetic dentistry for their versatility and accessibility. These veneers are made from a composite resin material, similar to what's used for dental fillings. They are known for their ability to provide a significant aesthetic improvement in a relatively short time.
There are two types of composite veneers:
Direct composite veneers
Lab-made composite veneers
Direct Chairside Composite Veneers (Composite Bonding)
A dental professional sculpts Chairside composite veneers (or composite bonding) directly onto your teeth. This process typically occurs in a single appointment, making it a quick and efficient solution for enhancing your smile.
The dentist carefully applies the composite resin in layers, sculpting and shaping it to achieve the desired appearance. Once the ideal shape is reached, the resin is hardened with a special light and polished to a natural sheen.
The immediate benefit of chairside veneers is their convenience. There’s no need for multiple appointments or waiting for lab fabrications. They are also usually cheaper than other veneer types, making them an attractive option for those on a tighter budget. Maintenance involves regular dental hygiene and occasional touch-ups, as composite materials can be more prone to staining and wear over time.
Cheapest and quickest veneer option
It needs replacing the most frequently (3-5 years), so it may be expensive in the long run.
The results are highly dependent on the skill of the dentist
It’s the least invasive type of veneer
Lab-Made Composite Veneers
On the other hand, lab-made composite veneers are crafted in a dental laboratory and bonded to your teeth. This process begins with the dentist taking an impression of your teeth, which is sent to a lab where each veneer is individually crafted. Once ready, they are carefully bonded to the teeth’s surface.
These veneers offer more customisation and precision than their chairside counterparts. As they are crafted in a controlled lab environment, the aesthetics can be fine-tuned, and the material is often more durable. However, this option requires more time and can be more expensive than chairside veneers, as it involves meticulous lab work and multiple dental visits.
When choosing between chairside and lab-made composite veneers, factors such as time, budget, and the desired level of customisation play a crucial role.
It is the same procedure as having porcelain veneers
More expensive than chair-side composite veneers (composite bonding)
Cheaper than porcelain veneers
Lab-made composite veneers are usually only used when a patient wants a good result but has a limited budget. Or if a dentist wants to provide a long-term “test drive” of a new smile.
Porcelain Veneers: The Gold Standard
Porcelain veneers are renowned for their durability and lifelike appearance, making them a preferred choice for those seeking a long-lasting and natural-looking solution. Made from high-quality ceramic materials, these veneers are crafted to mimic the clarity and texture of natural teeth, offering an unparalleled aesthetic appeal.
Porcelain veneers are undoubtedly the best option for a high-end result from your treatment. Modern-day techniques and materials mean dentists no longer have to shave their teeth down heavily to accommodate veneers.
You can choose from several kinds of porcelains for your veneers.
A single porcelain lab made veneer about to be bonded onto a tooth
Emax Veneers
Emax veneers, a specific type of porcelain veneer, are made from lithium disilicate glass-ceramic, a material known for its remarkable strength and aesthetic qualities.
These veneers are particularly favoured for their ability to withstand wear and tear while providing a highly natural and translucent appearance. They are very commonly used among modern-day dentists.
Emax veneers are thin yet durable, requiring less tooth preparation than traditional porcelain veneers, making them a more conservative treatment option.
Other Porcelain Veneer Options
Apart from Emax (lithium disilicate), which is highly popular due to its strength and aesthetic qualities, several other porcelain materials are used for dental veneers. These include:
Feldspathic Porcelain: One of the original materials used for porcelain veneers, feldspathic porcelain is known for its excellent aesthetic properties. It allows for a high degree of customization in colour and translucency, making it a good choice for achieving a very natural look.
Leucite-Reinforced Ceramic: This type of porcelain has leucite crystals added to it, which increase its strength and resistance to cracking or chipping. It's a good balance between aesthetics and durability.
Zirconia-Based Ceramic: While zirconia is often used on its own for veneers, it can also be combined with other ceramics to create porcelain veneers. These are highly durable and are particularly suitable for patients who require more extensive dental restoration.
Pressed Ceramic (Empress): Pressed ceramic veneers, such as those made from Empress material, are known for their strength and durability. They are created by pressing the ceramic into moulds, which results in a uniform and strong veneer.
CAD/CAM Ceramics: Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technologies are used to create veneers from various ceramic materials. This method allows for precise customization and a perfect fit.
Each type of porcelain has unique properties that make it suitable for different needs and preferences. Factors like the desired aesthetic outcome, the condition of the natural teeth, and the patient's overall oral health will influence the choice of material for porcelain veneers.
The decision on which type of porcelain your veneers should be made from is best for the dentist and their lab technician to decide based on your teeth. However, don’t let that stop you from asking them; a good dentist will always be able to explain what they are using and why.
Zirconia Veneers: Merging aesthetics with strength
Made from zirconium dioxide, a highly durable material commonly used in medical applications, zirconia veneers are known for their exceptional toughness and resistance to wear and tear.
Zirconia, in general, is usually used for crowns (due to their strength) but may be considered for veneers if there are concerns about you breaking them (due to grinding or if you are at a high risk of experiencing trauma through contact sports).
Zirconia veneers are unlikely to be the first choice for dentists. Although Zirconia can look great, the bond strength of Zirocnia to the tooth is not as good as the porcelains mentioned above and it doesn’t look as natural as porcelain either.
High-strength porcelains such as Emax will be tough enough to withstand breakages and they will look better too.
Navigating Your Veneer Choices
Choosing the correct type of dental veneers is a decision that should be tailored to your individual needs, aesthetic preferences, and lifestyle.
Direct composite for the cheapest and quickest option
Porcelain (most likely Emax) for the best results and durability
Your dentist should be helping you understand the differences between your options and guide your decision.
At Nova Smiles, we offer online consultations for anyone who wants to ask questions or needs help planning their veneer treatment.
