When looking at which veneers to go for, there are two main contenders in the ring, either composite or porcelain. But which one is best, or is there even a best? Let’s take a closer look at veneers in London and the materials they are made from.
Composite Veneers
Let’s start out by looking into exactly what composite veneers are. Composite veneers are tooth coverings made from composite resin. The composite sits on top of your existing teeth to help change their shape into the patient’s desired look. They are great for fixing either small cracks or chips on the teeth as you don’t actually have to cover the whole tooth with them.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are very similar to composite in that they go over the tooth, but the main difference is that they cover the entirety of the tooth; this makes them excellent for patients wanting to achieve a big smile makeover with minimal effort.
Preparing The Teeth
For composite bonding, the prep involved is super simple and quick. The dentist only needs to apply a little resin to the tooth and then wait for it to dry; once it is set, the dentist will sculpt it to the desired shape and polish it.
For porcelain, the prep is a little more since the whole tooth will need prepping. To make the surface area ready, the tooth will need to be cleaned and filed down, impressions will be made, and temporary veneers put in place whilst the permanent ones are made at the laboratory.
Standing The Test Of Time
One thing that really sets these two substances apart is the time for which they last. Composite is known to last up to around 7 years with porcelain capable of reaching 15 if it’s taken care of well. If you are looking for a longer-term solution, it’s clear which direction you should be heading in.
Maintenance
Both styles of veneers need good oral care and have similar guidelines to follow. You should continue to keep on top of good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing twice daily. With both porcelain and composite veneers, you will need to avoid any foods that are particularly tough to eat. As with natural teeth, veneers can stain, though, for the most part, they are stain-resistant. You can combat staining by avoiding foods with high levels of tannins, such as red wine and coffee; there are lots of sources to get a better understanding of high-tannin foods online. If you are someone who suffers from teeth grinding in any form, you will have to address this since teeth grinding can cause serious damage to your veneers.
Cost
The cost of these two products can greatly vary, but neither is available through the NHS. It is by no means a low-cost treatment, but you will likely be able to get a finance option. It’s good to weigh up the cost and time the product will last before deciding which way you would rather go.
