I’m trying to decide if I should get composite veneers or porcelain veneers. Most cosmetic dentists seem to prefer the porcelain veneers. I don’t know if that’s because they are better or more expensive. Can you help me decide?
Brenden
Dear Brenden,
Both can give you a beautiful smile in the hands of an expert cosmetic dentist. Composite veneers do cost less, but they also don’t last as long. They’re placed directly onto your teeth in layers and sculpted by your dentist right there in the appointment. They’re more susceptible to staining and chips than their porcelain counterparts.
Porcelain veneers are different. They’re crafted from porcelain and must be done in a lab. They’re actually stronger than even the natural enamel on your teeth and are much more stain resistant. These are more expensive, but will last many years longer, which likely will save you money and time in the long-term.
Choose Who Places Your Porcelain Veneers Carefully
You want a dentist who is not just technically skilled but also an artist when it comes to a smile makeover. This requires extensive training as well as some natural artistic talent.
It’s hard for patients to know how to locate that type of dentist without investing a significant amount of time in researching the dentist’s post-doctoral training, the number of cases they’ve done, and the outcome of those cases, etc.
It’s unrealistic to ask patients to do this, nor would many know what type of training would even be necessary. Knowing this, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) began an accreditation program. You can simply go to their website (aacd.com) and look up dentists in your area based on whether they are members or accredited members.
You want an accredited member. AACD accredited dentists are the top cosmetic dentists in the country and can give you a truly stunning smile.
This blog is brought to you by Lexington Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.