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When you’re contemplating a smile makeover with dental veneers, you may find yourself asking what’s the difference between composite and porcelain veneers? Any type of cosmetic dentistry should be well thought through, and to make things easier we’ve laid out exactly what the difference is between composite veneers and porcelain veneers.

If you’re curious about your cosmetic dentistry options, or are looking for a new smile, Dr Joe Oliver is an expert cosmetic dentist with over 30 years’ experience in aesthetic dentistry.

Dr Oliver has clinics in both London and Manchester. Book a free online consultation for more information about composite or porcelain veneers with Dr Oliver. Call the clinic on 020 7770 6441 or email info@theoliverclinic.co.uk at your earliest convenience.

What is the difference between composite veneers and porcelain veneers?

Veneers are a popular and effective solution for achieving a white, sparkling, natural smile. There are other benefits of veneers including correcting crowded teeth, repairing chipped and worn teeth, hiding gaps, improving a gummy smile and brightening discoloured teeth.

Veneers are very thin, handmade shells that are placed on top of your natural teeth to give the exact look and feel like your natural teeth.

Veneers can be made from many types of material, but the two main types are porcelain veneers and composite veneers. The main differences between porcelain veneers and composite veneers comes down to time, cost and durability.

How long do composite and porcelain veneers last?

Porcelain veneers tend to be longer lasting than composite veneers. Depending how well they are maintained, porcelain veneers can last up to 15 years whereas composite veneers last about half this duration – between 4-8 years. Due to his meticulous approach to veneers, Dr Oliver even has patients whose veneers have lasted for more than 25 years.

Porcelain veneers are thin shells that are crafted in very fine detail at a dental laboratory to resemble your natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are usually fitted to the natural tooth enamel, over a number of appointments. Porcelain veneers require some preparation to the natural tooth for the thin layer of porcelain which needs to be fitted.

Composite veneers are quicker to fit and can be done in one session. This involves coating the natural teeth with composite material. Thin layers of composite resin are applied to the natural tooth to mask damaged or discoloured enamel. Composite veneers can be shaped to the correct size and are therefore suitable for correcting teeth that are slightly damaged.

Cost: Composite veneers vs porcelain

The cost comparison between porcelain veneers and composite veneers depends how you look at it. Due to their durability, treatment application and material, porcelain veneers are more expensive initially than composite veneers. However, since they last longer they should not need to be replaced as often as composite veneers.

Prices for porcelain veneers with Dr Oliver vary from patient to patient but start at £895 per veneer. Find out more about prices of veneers with Dr Oliver.

Advantages of porcelain veneers

There are some misconceptions that porcelain veneers make the teeth weak however this is not known to be true. If bonded correctly and placed by an expert dentist, porcelain veneers can be as strong and durable as the natural tooth.

Porcelain veneers are an excellent solution that mimic the natural teeth. This is why they are sometimes preferred to composite veneers. They are also highly stain resistant so can maintain that sparkly white look for a long time.

Advantages of composite veneers

Getting composite veneers tends to be less invasive to the natural tooth. It is also a much quicker process than the application of porcelain veneers. Composite resin veneers can be repaired if they become chipped or damaged. While they may be more prone to chipping than porcelain, porcelain veneers would need to be entirely replaced since they can not be repaired.

Composite veneers are not irreversible like porcelain veneers. Permanent veneers have their benefits, but can also be a factor for many people choosing to have composite veneers instead. These can be thought of as temporary veneers and therefore are more suitable for some patients.

For more information about porcelain and composite veneers with Dr Oliver, call the clinic on 020 7770 6441 or email info@joeoliverclinic.co.uk.

About Dr Joe Oliver

Dr Oliver offers first class cosmetic dental treatment. With over 30 years’ experience in orthodontic treatment he is a firm favourite with patients and celebrities alike. Dr Oliver has treated celebrities including Helena Bonham Carter and Tamsin Outhwaite.

If you are looking to improve the natural appearance of your smile, get in touch with us today.

Book an appointment for more information. Call 020 7770 6441 or email info@joeoliverclinic.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you.

Types of Problems easily fixed with veneers

It is not uncommon that people mistakenly think of porcelain veneers as a specifically cosmetic dental treatment.

However, veneers are often used to target a wide variety of dental issues – though they are a great way to improve the appearance of your teeth, this is not their only function!

The veneer is a thin layer of material placed on top of the tooth, so in effect, they provide a covering and can, therefore, protect damaged areas of the tooth/teeth. The veneer is attached via the use of dental cement and it is a permanent fixture in your mouth.

Some of the most common dental issues we treat with veneers are:

1. Discoloured teeth

As we grow older, natural teeth discolouration is avoidable. No matter how many times you brush or how advanced your dental hygiene routine is – it is practically impossible to retain that sparkling healthy white tooth colour!

There are of course teeth whitening products to target this, but if you have tried them and are not satisfied with the results, or you want to target two issues at once (e.g. having teeth which are both chipped and discoloured) then a veneer is the perfect answer to your problem.

The veneer covers the entire front surface of your natural tooth and therefore leaves you with a smile which is bright and pearly white. An additional benefit is that you can personalise the shade of white you desire. We have many options available whether you are looking for a bright, Hollywood grin or a more natural smile.

2. Gaps

There are several issues which can occur as a result of having gaps between the teeth. You may have difficulty breaking up food while chewing, ultimately causing digestive problems, or it can cause you to develop bad breath, yellow teeth,  pain and bleeding in the gums.

A popular way of treating gaps in the teeth is of course, braces. However, veneers are increasingly becoming a more favourable option for adults, since they offer:

1. Fast and effective results
2. Teeth whitening as well as straightening of teeth and closing of gaps
3. A way to avoid often unsightly appearance and inconvenience of wearing braces
4. The need to wear a retainer after the braces are removed

Since veneers can be shaped and adjusted to fit your mouth, we can create veneers which are big enough that they will close any gaps between teeth, and function just as your natural teeth would.

3. Overcrowded or narrow smiles

Regardless of your age, crowded teeth can occur at any point in your life. An overcrowded mouth can cause problems as it often leads to teeth which are misaligned and the subsequent moving of other teeth due to constant pressure from surrounding teeth.

This can impact both your oral health and your appearance. There are several options to treat overcrowded teeth including veneers, Invisalign, and other types of braces.

As long as the crowding/crookedness in your mouth is not too severe, veneers are a viable option to fix crowded teeth. During the procedure, we will file down some of the enamel on your natural tooth then apply a porcelain cover on top. In doing this, we can reshape and resize your teeth to the appropriate proportions, leaving you with a straight and healthy smile.

4. Chipped / worn or broken teeth

Chipped teeth can occur through accidental damage, from biting into something hard or general weakening of the teeth’s strength over time. Although we may think this is just an aesthetic problem, leaving a chipped tooth untreated can often lead to further damage since you leave the tooth vulnerable for the chip becoming worse.

The veneer will cover the tooth and therefore protect the natural tooth from further damage, while at the same time strengthening the tooth with the additional layer of material, allowing you to continue using it as normal.

If you only have one broken tooth and you are looking for a more affordable option, you may want to get one veneer and simply treat the broken tooth. However, most people get between four and ten veneers per arch as this is the best way to create an even, symmetrical smile.

5. Misaligned teeth

Nobody wants to have misaligned teeth, but if you didn’t get braces when you were a child, you may not want to go through the period of waiting for the teeth to straighten! As mentioned, there are many alternative braces options to close gaps and straighten the teeth.

However, if you want fast results without having to wait for the teeth to move (often between 6 – 24 months for most brace types) then veneers provide an amazing, effective solution. They provide multiple cosmetic benefits, and they’re durable and long-lasting.

5. Cosmetic purposes

Equally, if your teeth are perfectly healthy, but you simply want to refresh your smile or you are unhappy with the aesthetic appearance of your teeth – there is no reason why you shouldn’t justify this as a valid reason for treatment too.

Cosmetic purposes are a common motivation for getting veneers, and we help many, many patients improve their smile, their confidence and ultimately their quality of life!

Why choose to have your treatment with us?

At Dr Joe Oliver we are committed to providing exceptional results for our London and Manchester based patients, whether new or loyal.

When you have made the commitment to improving your smile and the functioning of your teeth through cosmetic dentistry, it is vital you choose a practice you can trust.

At Dr Joe Oliver, we value:

1. Authenticity: Since our patients are our main priority, our first goal is to ensure you are happy. We create an open dialogue fuelled by an authentic interest in our patients’ needs and the desire to ensure you leave our practice feeling proud of your smile.
2. Dedication: Dr Oliver teaches and lectures extensively on aesthetic and contemporary restorative dentistry nationally and abroad for prestigious institutions, attesting to his commitment to staying well informed and on top in the dentistry field.
3. Results: We offer a 5-year guarantee on all veneer crowns and bridgework – if our patients are not satisfied our work is not complete!
4. Innovation and expertise: Dr Oliver’s passion for excellence in dentistry has seen him introduce several innovations and techniques that are revolutionising modern dentistry and seldom seen in other cosmetic practices. This includes smile design analysis, biomimetic dentistry, 3D smile makeover planning, 3D smile prototype analysis and 3D CAT SCAN implant surgical planning.

Ready to feel better about your smile..?

If you would like to book a free consultation meeting, or you are interested in finding out more about the uses and effectiveness of veneers or our dental practice, please do not hesitate to get in contact on: 020 7770 6441 (London & Manchester Clinic).

Getting a porcelain veneer is usually a multi-step process, however, this is dependent on the type of veneer you choose to have fitted.

A composite bonding/ composite veneer procedure often only requires one appointment, where we bond filling material to your teeth.

However composite bonding/ composite veneers are not as long-lasting and likely will stain which a porcelain veneer won’t.

Generally, the porcelain veneer procedure follows four steps.

1. Consultation with the practice you have chosen to have your treatment with. During your consultation, your dentist will listen to your complaints, concerns and goals in regards to your teeth and your desired new smile.
2. Step two, we create a 3D model of your new smile. We will take X-rays and impressions of your teeth if we need more information on the health of your teeth.
3. Step three involves preparing the tooth for the veneer, where we will remove a small amount of the tooth structure, create an impression, then fit you with a temporary veneer or veneers.
4. During stage four, the temporaries are removed, and the final veneers are bonded to your tooth.

Veneers are one of the best options to strengthen and straighten your teeth, brighten your smile and leave you with a grin you can be proud to show off!

Whether your teeth are chipped, misaligned, discoloured, gappy or unsightly, veneers are a popular option amongst many patients today.

Generally, the most enticing benefit about veneers is that the changes can occur relatively quickly (in just a couple of visits), the process is not reversible.

If you are interested in getting veneers and would like to know more about the pros and cons of this treatment method, see below:

Veneers: The Pros

1. Highly durable, long-term solution: veneers can last up to 30 years if the procedure is done well and the patient cares for the teeth properly
2. Veneers are moulded for your teeth specifically, meaning we can provide highly natural-looking results
3. The procedure is minimally invasive, usually, only a small amount of the tooth has to be filed down before fitting the veneer
4. Teeth whitening: we can personalise the shade you would like your new teeth to be, so you can have a sparkling white or a more natural shade
5. Veneers provide effective results fast, we can target multiple issues at once e.g. discoloured teeth and gaps between the teeth
6. The procedure does not hurt: Typically patients are numbed with a local anaesthetic for the veneering process, meaning there should be no pain during the procedure. If you are only having 2-4 veneers fitted, there is often very little or no discomfort after the numbness subsides. If you have 8+ veneers inserted, there can be some soreness in the gums post-treatment. We recommend over the counter medications to reduce any discomfort.
7. No major upkeep required: Caring for your veneers generally requires dental check-ups/hygiene visits and regular brushing and flossing/ interdental cleaning, so it is not very different from how you would be expected to care for your natural teeth.
8. Improves your confidence: Veneers are a guaranteed way to change your smile and get the results you desire – since you have the opportunity to ‘test-drive’ your smile through the temporary veneer stage of the practice, you get the chance to alter and adjust the final look of your new teeth.

The Cons

1. Irreversible: this is the main concern for most people thinking of getting veneers. Since we remove some tooth surface in order to get the desired shape, you cannot get the original shape of the tooth back. However, it makes sense that you would not want to revert your teeth back to their original size/shape because that is the whole reason you are having the procedure!
2. Routine checkups: It is required that you visit your cosmetic dentist for routine checkups and hygiene visits post-treatment, to ensure your beautiful smile remains consistent with veneers. Some people may find this an inconvenience, but it is required for most dental procedures.
3. Just like natural teeth, veneers can become damaged if not cared for properly. People are encouraged to overcome bad habits such as biting nails or grinding teeth.
4. Veneers are not suitable for people with active gum disease or weak teeth. We can assess the health of your teeth during an initial consultation if you are unsure whether or not you would be suitable for the treatment!

Additional common questions answered

Does it hurt or ruin the underlying tooth when placing veneers?

Patients are put under local anaesthetic during the procedure so they are numbed to the effects of any pain. Porcelain veneer does not damage your natural teeth. They can protect your natural teeth from further decay in some cases. However, it is important that your teeth are strong and healthy prior to treatment.

How long do they last?

If cared for adequately, veneers can last up to 30 years! Be sure to book regular check-ups and hygiene visits with your cosmetic dentist so we can identify any issues with your veneers early on.

Will my veneers remain white?

Porcelain is stain-free. If you choose to have porcelain veneers, your veneers will remain in their original white shade for their lifetime. However, you will have to eventually replace the veneers.

Can you eat normally with veneers?

You can continue to use your teeth as normal post-treatment, however, you should be mindful when eating hard foods – the same way you should with your natural teeth.

How much do veneers cost?

The cost of treatment depends on where you get it done and what is required for your specific needs. Find out more about pricing options.

Are there any alternatives?

There are alternative options available if you are unsure about the veneer treatment, such as composite bonding. If you would like to find out more about the options available to you, book a free consultation appointment where we can discuss your specific dental needs!

Get in touch today

Please either call our clinics on 020 7770 6441 (London & Manchester Clinic) or use our booking form.