Porcelain Vs. Resin: Pros And Cons Of The Different Dental Veneer Materials

Dental veneers are a wafer-thin artificial tooth covering that can help hide cosmetic defects on a natural tooth, including stains, cracks, or shape issues. Veneers can be made of two different kinds of materials: resin or porcelain. Choosing the right material for your needs will require a personalized discussion with a cosmetic dentist, like Wallington Dental, since every dental situation is different. But there are a few general pros and cons for each material that you can keep in mind ahead of your dental appointment.

Porcelain Pros and Cons

Porcelain veneers are a popular option due to the durability of the material compared to resin. The porcelain will generally be less susceptible to cracking and that can prove to be a major deciding factor if the veneer will be on a molar or canine, where there will be a lot of bite pressure applied to the tooth and veneer. And porcelain is more stain-resistant than resin, which might be an important factor if you smoke or drink a lot of coffee.

The porcelain veneers will be created using a mold of your tooth, and the creation will happen in an often off-site lab. So you will need to go to the dentist a couple of times at least in order to receive your veneers. Cost of porcelain veneers is higher due to the material, lab creation, and the need for multiple visits. However, if you take good care of your veneers, they can last a lot longer than resin, so the higher price may balance out in the long run.

If a porcelain veneer does crack or break, your dentists  will need to completely remove the veneer and replace it with an entirely new model. 

Resin Pros and Cons 

Resin veneers are applied by the dentist in one office visit. The dentist uses a moldable resin material to custom-design the veneer right onto the surface of your tooth. A special light will then harden the resin in place.

Resin is less durable and more stain-prone than porcelain veneers. But resin also comes with a lower price tag and fewer dental appointments. A resin veneer is durable enough for many teeth and if cracks or breaks do happen, your dentist can simply patch the hole with resin material rather than removing the whole veneer. 

If you're unsure whether porcelain or resin is the right choice for your situation, discuss with your dentist your options and any additional pros and cons that could arise.


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