The different types of Dental Veneers (Composite / Porcelain )

Surely you have heard of Celebrities and Influencers who have experienced radical changes in their smiles thanks to dental veneers. But what exactly are dental veneers?

Dental Veneers are thin Porcelain or resin sheets (0.3 - 0.5 mm) placed by adhesives on the anterior teeth to modify the teeth shape, color, and size. It is a durable aesthetic, minimally invasive, fast solution, an excellent option for those who want to improve the appearance of their smile.

They are several types of veneers, but we will focus on the most popular ones: Composite (Resin) and Porcelain Veneers.

1. What are the differences between Resin veneers and Porcelain veneers?

What is Composite Resin?

Resin can be of natural origin produced by plants or synthetically created by man for many uses, including a material to restore teeth. In dentistry, the resins that are used to make dental restorations are called composite resins. These can replace tooth enamel in a very realistic way. Composite resins are used to restore both posterior and anterior teeth.

What is Porcelain?

Porcelain is the name given to the clay used to manufacture objects such as vessels, vases and pots. Today there is a great variety of porcelain materials crafted from different components depending on the application.

Dental Porcelain is made mostly from non-metallic elements of inorganic nature. Porcelain is the result of a natural chemical reaction. It has been used for years to cover the metal of both anterior and posterior crowns and nowadays as evolved into one of the main component of cosmetic dentistry to enhance and whiten smiles: Veneers and Lumineers.

Composite Veneers

These are made in a single session by the dentist, making these fast to apply. Some of the Composite Veneers drawbacks is that they lose shine, change color, and eventually wear and need a touch-up after 5 to 8 years

Composite Veneers benefits

• Faster design execution: one day

• Do not damage the tooth enamel

• Affordable

Composite Veneers drawbacks

• Teeth pigments and change color

• They can break without proper care

• Durability depends on the lifestyle (what you eat, drink or whether or not you are a smoker)

What is needed for proper installation?

• Dental whitening ensures that your smile is enhanced, bright and that all teeth have the same hue: We perform two to four whitening sessions, depending on the condition of the patient teeth; It requires two appointments.

• These high aesthetic veneers take 4 or 5 hours to be made and installed; this procedure takes two days; 8 or 10 veneers is a one-day visit—16 to 20 veneers two.

• The final appointment is 48 hours later; During this appointment we evaluate, polish, and make any last adjustments.

Porcelain Veneers and Lumineers

Among the different cosmetic dental treatment options, this is the most durable option:

• Ceramic or dental Porcelain is the dental material that imitates the texture, color, shape and strength of the real teeth.

• It is the most durable material; it can last more than 15 years with proper care and it is easy to maintain and does not stain with food, wine or tobacco.

• Porcelain is made by a laboratory following the directives of our dental office

Lumineers

Lumineers veneers are the same as porcelain dental veneers but without any carving involved. These are very thin porcelain veneers; contact lenses like material placed on the teeth to achieve a perfect look without damaging the teeth. It is not painful for the patient, and in most cases, can be fixed to the teeth without any form of anesthesia.

Porcelain Veneers and Lumineers drawbacks

• More appointments for design, two to 3 days

• More expensive

• Requires altering the teeth enamel unless the Lumineer option is chosen.

Clients need to stay a minimum of four days for Veneer and Lumineer installation. In addition, some patients need a gingivectomy or gum trimming, which add an additional day or two to the procedure. Gingivectomy or gum trimming is required if the gum is swollen or its surface uneven which is noticeable when the patient smiles, the gums need to be re-shaped. The surgery is a simple 60-minute procedure.

What Veneer is right for me?

For smokers, wine and coffee drinkers, Porcelain or Lumineers veneers are the right choices as composite resin tends to stain over time. But if you are careful with your teeth hygiene, composite veneer is a much more affordable option that is to be considered.

How to care for my veneers?

• Overconsumption of dyed beverages like red wine, coffee, soda, tea, and orange juice can stain your composite veneers, same as natural teeth. It would be best if you brushed your teeth immediately after consuming any of these drinks

• You can damage your Porcelain or Composite veneers if you bite into harder type foods with your anterior teeth. Therefore, right after a composite veneer install, the anterior teeth (where the veneers go) should only masticate soft foods because hard foods such as nuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, candy, etc., could damage the veneers.

• Clients suffering bruxism (the involuntary act of grinding the teeth), must use a protective teeth guard when sleeping to protect their veneers