Porcelain vs Composite Veneers: Which Is Better for You?
May 28, 2025
Are you thinking about restoring your smile with a complete smile makeover? Yet, you don’t know if you should choose porcelain or composite veneers. Don’t worry too much about it because we at Melton Dental are here to help you figure out which type of dental veneers would best suit you. By the end of this article you will learn the pros & cons and what each type of veneer has to offer.
If you simply want to fix a chipped tooth, boost your confidence or brighten up your smile, our Melton dentist is here to assist you and guide you through the process.
What are veneers?
Veneers are customised thin coverings typically made out of porcelain or composite resin. They bonded to the front surface of your teeth to improve its appearance. There are two types of veneers that you can choose from:
1: Porcelain Veneers
2: Composite Veneers
Your choice of dental veneers may vary depending on your needs, budget, and desired outcome. Our Melton dentist will guide you and help you make the right choice between porcelain and composite veneers so you can step into the world with confidence.
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are custom-fit, wafer-thin shells that your dentist permanently bonds to the front of your teeth. Porcelain veneers can hide discoloured teeth as well as chipped, crooked and gapped teeth.
What are the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers?
Now that you know what porcelain veneers can fix, let’s take a look at some of the other benefits that would make it the preferred choice for your smile makeover.
Looks Natural:
Veneers are tailored to fit the shape, size, and colour that best complements your smile. On the plus side, porcelain also closely resembles your natural teeth by mimicking the light-reflecting properties of real teeth. Making it a great option that blends seamlessly with your current teeth.
Durable and Long-Lasting:
Veneers are strong and can last up to 20 years or more with proper care, making them a long-lasting cosmetic solution.
Least Discomfort:
Most people experience little to no discomfort after getting porcelain veneers, which means you can get back to your usual routine almost immediately.
The process involves minimal downtime, and any minor sensitivity that you feel will fade quickly. You won’t have to deal with a long recovery, making the process of getting porcelain veneers very convenient.
Stain-Resistant:
Porcelain is resistant to staining from your day-to-day practices, like drinking coffee or tea and even smoking, so your veneers will retain their vibrant appearance for a long time.
Easy to maintain:
Maintaining your porcelain veneers is as easy as it gets. Simply follow basic oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing your teeth daily and keep up with your dental check-ups every 6 months to keep them in good condition.
What are Composite Veneers?
Now that you know about porcelain veneers, let’s move on to composite veneers.
Composite veneers are made of thin, tooth-coloured layers of resin composite material that are placed on the front surface of your teeth. They are then shaped freehand directly onto your teeth by our Melton dentist, and they cost less than porcelain veneers, making it a lighter load on your wallet.
How can composite veneers fix your smile?
By simply choosing composite veneers, you can reduce dental complications such as:
- Stained & discoloured teeth
- misaligned & irregularly shaped teeth
- Cracked & chipped teeth.
- Gaps between teeth
What are the Benefits of Composite Veneers?
Quick & Convenient:
The great thing about composite veneers is that they can be placed in a single visit, making it a fast and convenient solution for your dental needs. You can cover up many aesthetic problems, like misshapen teeth, discolourations, and other dental defects.
Cost-effective:
Composite veneers are affordable in comparison to porcelain veneers. Making them a better option for your smile makeover if you are on a tight budget.
Minimal Preparation:
Unlike porcelain veneers, composite veneers can be applied with minimal or no preparation of the natural tooth. Which means that they don’t involve drilling, cutting, or shaving your natural teeth.
What is the difference between porcelain & composite veneers?
Now that you have an understanding of what type of dental veneers are available, let’s take a look at the key differences between porcelain and composite veneers.
Durability:
Although porcelain veneers are more expensive than composite veneers, they do last longer. Porcelain veneers can last up to 10-15 years, and composite veneers will last up to 2-5 years. Do keep in mind that if you do damage or crack your porcelain veneers, you will have to get them replaced, which is not the case when it comes to composite veneers.
Overall Look & Feel
Both porcelain & composite veneers look amazing, but if you do compare them side by side, you can see that porcelain veneers look more natural. This is because they catch light just like your natural teeth do.
Cost:
By now you already know that composite veneers are more affordable than porcelain veneers and you might wonder why. Well, porcelain veneers take more time; the material is more durable and requires more expertise. Taking this all into consideration, porcelain veneers are more expensive.
Now that you know all about the type of dental veneers, let’s take a look at how you can take care of them, protect your oral health and expand the longevity of your veneers.
How to Take Care of Your Veneers
Create a dental routine:
Routine is everything! Brush and floss like you normally do, but remember to use a non-abrasive toothpaste to keep your veneers safe. Good oral hygiene is crucial to keeping them in great shape. Also make sure to be gentle around the edges of your veneers to avoid causing any damage.
Regular dental check-ups:
Aftercare is everything, so visit your dentist regularly to make sure that your veneers are in top shape.
Avoid Bad Habits:
Don’t use your teeth to open things or bite your nails. If you do grind your teeth at night, be sure to use a nightguard to protect your veneers and prevent your veneers from cracking or breaking over time.
There you have it. Everything you need to know about both porcelain and composite veneers. If you are looking to change the way you smile, then get in touch with us today, and we will guide you through the process and make sure you choose what is best for you!