Composite and Ceramic Veneers
The use of veneers enhances aesthetic restoration possibilities, allowing for the correction of tooth shape, size, and color in the smile zone. For this purpose, either ceramic or composite veneers can be used. The difference between them lies in the material, fabrication and placement method, durability, and care requirements.
➣ Material:
Ceramic is used for aesthetic restoration because its optical properties and appearance closely resemble natural tooth enamel. The surface texture, light reflection, and degree of translucency of the material ensure that restored teeth achieve a natural look.
Dental composite is more commonly used for tooth fillings and functional restorations. It is less frequently applied in aesthetic restorations because it is not as translucent, and its surface texture may change over time (becoming rougher and less smooth). Composite does not reflect light the same way as enamel does. Due to these factors, it does not appear as natural, especially on upper incisors, which are often treated with veneers. These teeth may stand out and draw attention.
➣ Ceramic and composite differ in durability and longevity:
- Ceramic veneers do not degrade, are resistant to cracks, fractures, and other mechanical damage.
- Composite is not as strong, and even with careful use, it gradually wears down, requiring periodic polishing and restoration.
➣ Another key difference is color:
The veneers should match the patient's natural enamel color. In the case of ceramics, the shade is selected with high precision using a specialized color scale. Composite veneers, on the other hand, have fewer shade options, making it more challenging to achieve an exact match.
Veneers should not discolor due to food, beverages, or aging. Ceramic veneers are highly resistant to color changes thanks to their dense structure, which prevents the absorption of staining substances. Composite material is softer and may change color over time, often more quickly than natural enamel. As a result, restored teeth may stand out and look different from the rest.
➣ Restoration Technologies
When comparing restoration techniques, composite veneers have the advantage of shorter treatment time. This is due to the direct restoration method, in which the veneers are sculpted directly onto the patient’s enamel by layering composite material, which is then hardened.
Ceramic veneers are made in a dental laboratory using dental impressions, which extends the treatment process but makes the result more predictable.
➤ Composite Veneers
The restoration is carried out in the dentist's office during the visit itself. Taking impressions and sending them to the laboratory is not necessary. The process is similar to a regular filling procedure, where after preparing the tooth surface, composite material is applied layer by layer on the tooth to shape it accordingly.
Features: Extensive polishing. During direct restoration, multiple layers of composite material are added to the tooth. To maintain the natural shape and size of the tooth, the natural enamel is polished. The polishing can be done extensively, depending on the desired result.
➤ Ceramic Veneers
Ceramic veneers are made in a dental laboratory. During the first visit, the doctor performs diagnostic impressions, based on which the future veneers are modeled. These data are transferred to the laboratory, where the veneer layers are created. After production, the veneers are bonded to the front surface of the teeth with a special material.
Features:
- Minimal preparation.
A small amount of enamel surface is removed to ensure that the teeth maintain a natural appearance after veneering. - Quick placement.
It involves firm fixation of the veneers to the teeth' surface using a special adhesive. - Minimum risk of inaccurate fixation.
When the protocol is followed, the veneers are securely bonded to the tooth surface, minimizing the chances of breakage, shifting, or mechanical damage. - Service period:
Ceramic veneers are more durable than composite ones due to the properties of the material. Ceramic is dense, durable, and does not discolor, change color, or alter its surface structure over time. With proper care, ceramic veneers can last for decades. On the other hand, composite veneers typically last an average of five years due to the material's properties—external influences and mechanical load can change its surface, causing discoloration or loss of gloss. - Care requirements.
After ceramic veneers are placed, daily hygiene remains unchanged. Regular tooth cleaning, preventive check-ups, and flossing are enough. Composite veneers require special care, including regular polishing and reshaping. Composite veneers cannot be whitened, so it is recommended to limit the usage of colored food and drinks to prevent color changes.
Which Veneers to Choose: Ceramic or Composite?
Composite veneers are more affordable, but their lifespan is limited. Their installation requires more extensive preparation. The doctors at "Elix" Dental Clinic recommend using ceramic veneers as they are more durable, offer better preservation of enamel, and provide greater aesthetic benefits.
At Elix Clinic, thanks to our own dental laboratory, the veneer production process is much quicker, allowing our patients to have veneered teeth within 7-14 days.
