Have you ever felt conscious about your smile in your teens? Do you still feel the same way?
If so, you’re not alone. In a recent poll of 2,000 U.S. adults, 61% said they felt that way when they were teenagers and over 50% still feel uncomfortable about their smiles now that they’re older.
Fortunately, the field of cosmetic dentistry now offers more options to transform your smile, including dental veneers.
In this guide, we’ll explore porcelain, one of the two primary types of veneers. Keep reading to learn more about them and how they can improve your smile.
The Two Types of Veneers Explained
The two primary types of veneers are composite and porcelain veneers.
Dentists make composite veneers with the same tooth-colored resin they use for composite dental fillings. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, consist of porcelain, a highly durable and sturdy kind of ceramic.
Both types of veneers are thin shells covering the front of the teeth. Their chief purpose is to enhance the appearance of the teeth by fixing cosmetic issues.
For example, veneers can help with discolored or stained teeth, giving you a whiter and brighter smile. They can also hide gum recession and change the shape and size of uneven teeth. They may even be an alternative to braces to correct poorly positioned teeth.
Veneers can also help fix diastemas, noticeable gaps between teeth wider than 0.5 mm.
If one of your pearly whites has a chip or crack, your dentist may recommend veneers to correct the problem and protect the damaged tooth.
Why Choose Porcelain Veneers
The appearance and likeness to natural teeth are two key features that set porcelain vs. composite veneers apart. Porcelain veneers have a more natural sheen that closely resembles natural teeth.
Porcelain veneers are also better at resisting stains than their composite counterparts. Porcelain is non-porous, so it doesn’t easily absorb the color of stain-causing foods and beverages like coffee and wine. By contrast, composite resin materials are porous and more susceptible to staining.
The lifespan of porcelain veneers is also longer, averaging ten years. However, with proper care, they can last up to 20 years! On the other hand, no-prep composite veneers only often last between five and seven years.
The (Minor) Drawbacks of Porcelain Veneers
Because of their benefits and advantages, porcelain veneers cost more than composite ones. They also involve more preparation, usually requiring two trips to the dentist. Still, these are only minor drawbacks, considering they can give you a brighter, more dazzling smile for ten, even 20 years!
Transform Your Smile With Porcelain Veneers
Now you know that of the two primary types of veneers, the porcelain kind looks more like natural teeth, resists stains better, and can last longer. So, if you want a longer-lasting smile transformation, consider getting porcelain veneers.
If you’re still unsure, the experienced dental team at Michelle Wang DDS will be happy to assist you in choosing the right veneers. Our dentist, Dr. Wang, has over two decades of work experience in dentistry.
Get in touch with our dental office, conveniently located near the beautiful downtown area of Redland, CA, today. We look forward to helping you achieve the dazzling, healthier smile you’ve always wanted.