Cosmetic dental treatment is the most commonplace dental practice in order to achieve the perfect smile. One such thing that cosmetic dental surgery in Melbourne covers is veneers. Unlike crowns that cover the entire tooth — front and back — dental veneers are thin shells, fixed over the front of your teeth to correct any minor discolorations, chipping and more. These thereby improve the overall aesthetics of your teeth, resulting in an award-winning smile that increases your confidence leaps and bounds.
When it comes to cosmetic dental treatment, it is essential to understand the type of veneers before going forward with the application. Usually cosmetic dental surgery in Melbourne consists of two types of veneers namely composite and porcelain. The main difference between the two is that composite veneers are made using a tooth coloured resin while porcelain veneers, as the name suggests, are made using porcelain. Nonetheless, this doesn’t nearly sum up all the differences between the two types of veneers. The application of these varies greatly, so does the time of application, longevity, cost, aesthetics and a lot more. Evaluating these in terms of all such differences will help you understand which type of veneer is suitable for you.
Given below are a few criteria that discuss the variations between porcelain and composite veneers in detail.
Application Process
Porcelain veneers are thin plastic shells attached to the front of your teeth whereas composite veneers are made using engineered resin that is stuck to the front of your teeth. One major point of difference apart from the material used in the application is that porcelain veneers are made outside your mouth with the help of a mould of your dental structure. On the other hand, composite veneers use resin that can directly be shaped as per your dental structure chairside on your visit to the dentist. After shaping the resin, the dentist will make sure that it is the right colour, such that it matches your other teeth. Additionally, the application process for porcelain veneers is a bit invasive while that isn’t the case with composite veneers.
Time of Application
Since porcelain is a harder material that needs to be carved as per a mould of your dental structure, it takes a significantly longer application time. Porcelain veneers are usually applied within a week or longer. However, composite veneers are easier to make as these use a flexible resin material. These can be affixed within the same day of your dental appointment. If these are made indirectly, these might take a little longer to make. Nonetheless, in these cases you will get temporary veneers for the time being. Consequently, if you are looking for cosmetic dental surgery in Melbourne that is quick, composite veneers are your go to.
Overall Look
Due to their translucency, porcelain catches light in a manor where your teeth look their natural colour. While composite resins are polished and coloured to suit your natural teeth colour, they don’t provide as much accuracy as porcelain veneers. In addition, porcelain veneers are stain resistant, which means with them on, you don’t have to book regular whitening appointments. Composite veneers stain like your natural teeth do and can also chip a lot more than porcelain ones. Therefore, aesthetically, porcelain veneers are considered to be better looking.
Cost Effectiveness
When it comes to affordability, it is a known fact that composite veneers are cheaper than porcelain veneers. This is mainly because the making and application of porcelain veneers requires a greater deal of expertise, material, time and knowledge. For this very reason, only select dental professionals provide this type of cosmetic dental treatment. Nonetheless, composite veneers have to be replaced several times due to their tendency to stain and chip. Hence, when compared, the break even cost for the two might be almost equal in some cases.
Longevity
Porcelain veneers are made of a stiff and thin layer of porcelain. This material doesn’t chip easily and although it is fragile by itself, when attached to a tooth, it is tough. This means that porcelain veneers can last 10-15 years or more if cared for properly. Made using engineered raisin, composite veneers are a quick solution but they aren’t as durable. As discussed earlier, they chip and stain easily. Therefore their lifetime is not more than 4-6 years with proper care.
Repair and Replacement
One of the biggest benefits of a composite veneer is that while it chips easily, it can be repaired just as conveniently. Besides, since its adherence takes minimal time and money, it can be replaced efficiently when you are dissatisfied with the way they look. Whereas, porcelain veneers take up a lot of time to be carved. In addition to this, they cannot be repaired if damaged. They need to be replaced and this replacement can be rather expensive.
All the above differences should be evaluated to select the right type of veneers as per your requirement prior to your cosmetic dental treatment. If you are an individual who wants a smart, budgeted option that is flexible, a composite veneer is the perfect choice for you. Nevertheless, if you are somebody who is looking for a more long lasting solution and minimal replacement hassle, a porcelain veneer is the right selection for you.
Looking for veneers and other forms of cosmetic dental surgery in Melbourne that enhance your smile? Dr. Zamani Dental Practice is a reputed name in Melbourne. We provide all kinds of dental solutions under one roof at affordable prices. Book an appointment with us today.
