What Are The Different Types of Veneers For Teeth?

The main types of veneers for teeth fall into 3 primary categories: Porcelain veneers, Ceramic veneers, and Composite veneers.

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In cosmetic dentistry, veneers are commonly used to improve the look of your smile. In some dental offices, they are referred to as “smile makeovers” because they can have such a dramatic positive effect on a person’s smile.

Below we will take a closer look at what veneers are as well as look into each of these different types of veneers for teeth. We will also discuss the pros and cons to help you decide which is the best option for you.

What Are Veneers?

A veneer is a tooth-colored shell that is attached over the front of a tooth. These are used in situations where you may want to change the appearance of a natural tooth. Veneers can alter to shape, size, and color of natural teeth making them match the rest of your teeth. In other words, a well-placed veneer can improve the look of your smile.

Because veneers are meant to correct issues with visible teeth, they are placed over or on top of the front teeth. This means that you typically won’t be able to get a veneer for back molars. However, if you have front teeth that are crooked, different sizes, or are discolored in any way, veneers can be a great solution to help correct these issues.

What Are Veneers Made From?

Porcelain is a common material used with various types of veneers. Others are made with ceramic or composite resin. Here is a look at the different kinds of veneers available to choose from.

Porcelain Veneers

Of all the materials used for veneers, porcelain is the most durable. It is strong and will last a long time. Plus, as porcelain looks natural, these types of dental veneers can improve the appearance of your smile significantly. They also happen to be biocompatible making porcelain laminate veneers safe as they do not cause issues with soft skin tissue or gums.

PROS

There are several pros to having porcelain veneers. They include:

Strong enough to last a long time (from between 8 and 15 years)
Resistant to stains and have a smooth surface similar to natural teeth
Can be made to match the color of natural teeth
Durable with less possibility of chipping or other damage
Won’t harm gums or soft tissue around other teeth

CONS

There are far fewer cons to porcelain veneers. Here they are:

High cost, expensive price tag per tooth
Requires a long and invasive procedure
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Click here for an in-depth look at porcelain veneers.

Ceramic Veneers

Ceramic veneers are a popular choice for a number fo reasons. Their natural appearance, as well as being cheaper than porcelain veneers, make them a popular option. Because they are synthesized, this means that there is less prep time needed and less sacrifice of the enamel of existing teeth to get the perfect fit.

PROS

Excellent natural appearance
Strong and durable
More cost-effective solution compared to porcelain veneers

CONS

Some may experience tooth sensitivity after the procedure
More expensive than composite veneers

Composite Veneers

The mixture of both organic and inorganic materials is known as resin. Composite veneers are made from composite resin. Although the material used to create these types of veneers is resin, the substance used to bond these different types of veneers to teeth is the same as is used to create tooth-colored dental fillings.

To compare composite veneers to porcelain veneers, there are a few very important factors to consider. Composite veneers are strong but not quite as durable as porcelain. Also, composite veneers are less expensive than porcelain and can blend in with natural teeth. However, composite veneers can develop stains as they age.

PROS

Strong, but not as durable as porcelain
Require a less invasive procedure that can be completed in a single visit
Can be repaired with ease if they get damaged in any way
They look natural and do not cause issues with gums or soft tissue
Much more affordable than porcelain ones

CONS

Not as costly as porcelain veneers
Requires a long procedure, but just one
Can develop stains over time
Do not last as long as porcelain (only 5 to 7 years)

Removable Veneers

Removable veneers, also known as temporary veneers, or snap-on veneers are a fairly new entry in the different types of veneers for teeth market. These differ mostly from porcelain and composite veneers simply because temporary veneers can be removed whenever you choose to do so. The process to get them also differs from other types of veneers.

Essentially, you order removable veneers online. Once you receive your dental impression kit in the mail, you create a mold of your teeth using the soft dental putty that is included in the kit. You return the mold to where the kit was sent from and in a short period, you will receive a set of removable veneers.

They are made from a dental resin that forms a thin layer over your teeth. They will “snap” into place and can be “snapped” out of place when you wish to remove them.

PROS

These are the least expensive of the different veneer types available
The process is quick and easy and does not require a dental visit
These veneers can be removed at any time

CONS

They are not very durable and won’t last a very long time

In Conclusion

Veneers are dental appliances that are commonly used in cosmetic dentistry. They fit over natural teeth making your smile look bright and perfect. If you have discolored, crooked, or different sized teeth in the front of your mouth, you can correct these issues with veneers. Your budget is one of the biggest factors that can influence which type of veneers will be your best choice.

However, for many people, porcelain veneers are the best type of dental veneers for teeth, but also come with a few drawbacks like price and procedure. If you have crooked, different sized teeth, or teeth that are discolored, please speak to your dental professional to get specific advice on which is the best type of veneer for you.

About Jade Roberts

After having a lot of dental issues when she was younger, and years of restorative dental work, Jade knows how difficult it is to find the right dental information. This has made her passionate about sharing her knowledge and experiences so that others don't have to experience the same issues. "If I make any recommendations in the articles on this website, it is because my team and I have researched and/or tested the products ourselves, and would be comfortable recommending them to our own family and friends. I'd love to hear of your experiences. So if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to get in touch."

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