What is the Difference Between Composite & Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain Veneers

If porcelain veneers are opted for, intraoral scans or mouth impressions will be taken and sent to a dental laboratory to create a mock up of desired results.

While waiting, a tooth coloured filling will be used to cover the front surface of your teeth temporarily. Once a treatment plan has been discussed, the dentist will take off a small amount of enamel from the fronts and sides of the teeth which will receive veneers. 

Since it usually takes the lab a week or two to make the veneers, your dentist may place temporary veneers on your teeth. When the veneers are ready, you can confirm the shape, fit and colour before the dentist bonds the finished veneers to your teeth with a light-sensitive resin.

If composite veneers are opted for, these can be placed over a single visit which will follow a similar protocol to having porcelain veneers.

After preparing and reshaping your teeth to desired shape and size and colour of your teeth, the dentist will sculpt the material directly on your teeth.

The material will harden and bond the material properly to the tooth surface. Lastly, you will need to smoothen and polish the composite resin to make sure it has a natural appearance.

In some circumstances, a rubber raincoat may first be placed over the relevant teeth before your veneers are fitted to prevent contamination and improve the success of your treatment.