The smile says a lot about the individual The smile tells us a lot about the individual who wears it, as it gives us direct information about their socioeconomic status, health and general hygiene, among other parameters of both a physical and psychological nature. On a biological level, human beings tend to show reluctance to asymmetrical proportions in the mouth and face (as well as bad odors such as halitosis), as they may be indicative of certain underlying pathologies.
An adult human being smiles, on average, about 25 times a day, as it is an extremely effective communicative gesture in a social environment. That is why our teeth are not only anatomical organs focused on biting and cutting up food, but they are also an essential aesthetic component to achieve facial harmony and a neat appearance for society.
Fortunately, there are a number of elements of simple placement that help to disguise the aesthetic effects present in the teeth, thus achieving an ideal smileThis way, an ideal smile can be achieved from a traditional point of view. These are veneers, and today we present the difference between porcelain veneers and resin veneers. Don’t miss it.
What is a veneer?
A veneer is defined as a thin veneer that covers the front of the teeth.. This artificially modifies their appearance in terms of anatomy, color, position, texture and general appearance, without the need for complex and costly surgical procedures. Even so, veneers are contraindicated in certain scenarios, such as, for example, in the case of a tooth that is almost destroyed or teeth with too much degraded enamel. It is an esthetic solution, and when the mouth poses a health risk, it is time to put yourself in the hands of health professionals.
In order to place the veneers (in this case, porcelain veneers), it is necessary for the specialist to perform a milling process on the tooth, which can be slightly uncomfortable for the patient, and for this reason, a general or local anesthesia is usually applied before the procedure. Once the structure is attached to the tooth, it is normal for the individual to feel some pain or discomfort, but this should disappear in a few days.
On a general level (whether porcelain or resin), dental health-related portals cite a number of general benefits of veneers on the patient. a number of general benefits of veneers on the patient. Among them, we find the following:
- No total grinding of the tooth is required, which reduces the likelihood of an oral infection during the process.
- Both types are associated with optimal durability, with a minimum of 5 years.
- There is no rejection by the gingival tissue, so inflammatory responses and other disadvantages of implants are eliminated.
- They reflect light and are able to transmit translucency.
- It is a simple, fast and painless treatment for the patient.
What is the difference between porcelain veneers and resin veneers?
Veneers can be composed of two materials: resin (also called composite) and porcelain. Both elements are very differentFor this reason, they are two procedures with different placement and results. We present the differences between the two in the following lines.
1. There are 2 types of porcelain veneers, while resin veneers are unique.
Porcelain veneers are divided into two categories: ultra-thin and zirconia. On the other hand, resin veneers are simple and do not allow such obvious variability.
According to specialized portals, the ultra-thin ones are the most effective of all.They are made of injected porcelain, a resistant material with a very natural appearance. They are very thin sheets, ranging from 0.3 to 1 millimeter thick, similar to a contact lens. In addition to its benefits, they are made very quickly, since in a period of 72 hours a patient can obtain ultra-thin veneers customized based on a previous oral scan.
On the other hand, zirconium veneers are thicker and more opaque than the ultra-thin ones, so their general resistance is greater. This variety is not very commonly used, as it is only considered for physiological changes in the tooth that cannot be reversed at the time of placement.
Lastly, we have resin veneers, which are not divided into two distinct categories, as is the case with resin veneers.as is the case with porcelain veneers.
2. Different placement methods
Porcelain veneers are more time-consuming and costly to place, as they require several visits to the dentist.They require several visits to the dentist to plan the procedure. An extensive examination of the area to be treated, a mold of the patient’s oral apparatus and several videos and photographs are needed to match the shape of the veneers to individual needs. You should bear in mind that, as they are made by a laboratory technician, the process is more costly both temporarily and monetarily.
On the other hand, resin veneers are placed directly on the tooth, without the need for prior shaping or the collection of molds and photographs. In this case, the resin is spread directly on the tooth and the tooth is given the appropriate shape, which is why it is a much faster and cheaper procedure than that required for the placement of porcelain veneers.
3. Porcelain veneers are much more durable
The placement time and procedure for ceramic veneers is more expensive, yes (3 visits to the dentist minimum), but they last much longer. It is estimated that a porcelain veneer can stay in place for up to 20 years.resin veneers fracture faster and their useful life is reduced to 5-8 years, at which point they usually need to be retouched.
For this reason, resin veneers are only recommended for people who cannot afford porcelain veneers, when the correction to be made is particularly simple or when the patient is very young. We emphasize the reality of young people, because here it is not necessary to grind the tooth to modify it, so it is a reversible treatment. For the majority of the adult population, the ceramic variant is always more indicated.
4. Resin veneers are more easily degradable
Resin is a material that, due to its chemical characteristics, tends to degrade and acquire yellowish tones more quickly, which is why it is necessary to have a periodic dental check-up every 6-12 months.
Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, remain pristine and fracture is much more complex, since the material that forms them is very strong. the material that forms them is very resistant to the oral inclemencies and the passage of time. Even so, annual visits to the dentist are recommended, as they should not be neglected despite their hardness.
5. A question of price
As you can imagine, porcelain veneers are more expensive than resin veneers.. According to the portals we have consulted, the price of the resin variant is around 150 euros, while porcelain veneers can easily reach 325 euros. In other words, porcelain veneers are at least twice as expensive. This is in line with their functionality and resistance, as they last more than twice as long as the resin ones.
Considerations
Having veneers does not mean that dental health should be neglected. You should keep in mind that you still have biological teeth underneath the artificial veneers and, therefore, your mouth is still susceptible to tartar build-up and the presence of bacteria, your mouth is still susceptible to the accumulation of tartar and the presence of bacteriawith the consequent gingivitis and periodontitis caused by this clinical picture.
Therefore, patients are still advised to brush their teeth 3 times a day and floss whenever possible, in order to keep the veneers (and the teeth underneath them) as clean and healthy as possible. Also avoid biting on hard items such as bones or large seeds, as the veneers can break, just as a natural tooth would.
Summary
In order to place porcelain veneers, it is necessary for the professional to mill the tooth, which is irreversible and is a definitive commitment to the placement of the veneers. On the other hand, resin veneers are placed directly on the tooth in a single session, so the process can be reversed.
For this reason alone, young people are usually recommended to go for resin veneers. In all other cases, due to their more natural appearance, longer life and low tendency to discolor and fracture, porcelain veneers are usually the safest and most effective option, even if they cost more money..