The difference between ceramics and composite - which veneers to choose

Fortunately, modern aesthetic dentistry has something to offer. Correct minor malocclusions, change the color and shape of teeth using veneers, thin plates that are firmly glued to the front surface of the tooth. All that remains is to understand how composite veneers differ from ceramic ones, and which one should be preferred.

Complete prosthetics with veneers is impossible. Overlays are intended only for correcting enamel defects, masking chips and diastemas. In case of extensive carious lesions, dentists still use crowns.

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Differences between composite and ceramic veneers

Veneers made of composite material are otherwise called direct - due to the method of creation. The doctor plays the record in 1.5 - 2 hours while the patient is in the dental chair. In some cases, an impression is taken of the teeth and the veneers are cast from the impression in the laboratory.

Direct veneers are extremely firmly connected to the tooth tissue, this is facilitated by the layer-by-layer technology of applying a composite to damaged enamel. It is impossible to tear the created plate from the foundation. The tightness of the composite veneer is extremely high - there is not the slightest gap between the base and the coating that could provoke the growth of pathogenic flora. At the same time, the composite veneer retains its plasticity and does not cause discomfort. Preserving color and transparency for many years, the prosthesis maintains the impression of the naturalness of the restored tooth.

Ceramic veneers or zirconium veneers are made exclusively in a dental laboratory using high-precision impressions. They are attached to the patient's teeth using a specially developed adhesive. There are several known methods for making ceramic veneers: pressing under pressure, casting on a refractor, cutting from a molded blank. These thin plates in finished form also very reliably imitate the appearance of human enamel, so correcting the aesthetics of a smile with such overlays is always successful.

How to navigate the world of veneers?

Are you planning to install veneers, but are you confused by their variety and price? I would like to put veneers on my teeth so that the price suits me, and so that they last for many years, and so that they do not wear down my teeth too much for installation. So is it worth putting veneers on your teeth and how much does it cost to have them done in Moscow? Let's talk about this.

What is a classic veneer?

A classic veneer - from the point of view of aesthetic dentistry, it is such a thin plate that can be made of different materials from ceramics, zirconium dioxide, composites. Usually, in the patient’s understanding, dental veneers are thin plates that are glued to the surface of the tooth and change its shape, color and size. And thus, with the correction of teeth with veneers, a person’s smile miraculously changes.

Features of direct veneers

People choose this restoration method for a number of reasons:

1. It's inexpensive and fast. Composite veneers are installed in one clinic visit; there is no need to plan long-term treatment or schedule trips to the dentist. The cost of the composite is much lower than the production of ceramics.
2. The removal of enamel from the surface of the teeth is extremely minimal, sometimes only required in places.
3. There is a clear similarity between composite veneers and the enamel of natural teeth.
4. It is attracted by the high adhesion of the artificial material to living tissues.

The technique has some disadvantages:

• The quality of the final composition greatly depends on the experience and qualifications of the doctor. This drawback, however, is inherent in any result of a dentist’s work.
• Tarnishing of a record over the years. It can be eliminated by polishing the veneer once every six months.
• Changes in the color of the veneer due to frequent consumption of coloring foods and drinks. Cannot be corrected.
• Corrosion of a composite veneer under the influence of ethanol occurs with regular drinking of alcohol and when rinsing the mouth with alcohol-containing rinses.

What's more expensive?

On average, the price of a ceramic veneer in dental clinics in the capital is almost 2 times higher than the cost of installing a composite onlay. This is understandable, because at least 2 specialists work on creating the plate: a dentist and a dental technician. And in addition to paying for their services, the cost of ceramic veneers also includes depreciation of expensive laboratory equipment and the cost of purchasing the consumables themselves.

It’s easier with composite veneers, since they are made directly in the patient’s mouth by the dentist himself. And since the final result largely depends on the skill of the doctor, the price varies greatly from clinic to clinic. You can get a composite veneer installed by a novice doctor much cheaper than by a professional with a capital “P.” But will the result justify itself?

Pros and cons of ceramic veneers

The advantages of silicon oxide overlays are obvious:

1. Lack of ability to oxidize, change color, or degrade. Ceramic veneers do not absorb pigments from food and do not disintegrate under the influence of acids and alcohols. They will not show any stains or discoloration throughout their entire service life.
2. Ceramic veneers will last for more than a decade if initially installed correctly and handled with care.
3. The plate is very durable, despite its microscopic thickness, not reaching even a millimeter.
4. Imitation of enamel is the best among other veneering techniques.

Flaws:

• The cost of ceramic veneers is not affordable for every patient.
• The impossibility of quick prosthetics sometimes becomes extremely difficult. A person will have to visit the clinic at least twice: to take impressions and for final installation. In addition, you will have to spend money on making a temporary structure, which will need to be worn until the permanent veneers are glued.
• When preparing teeth for veneers, the doctor may overheat the tooth pulp, which can lead to inflammation and acute toothache.

Porcelain veneers require grinding down of the teeth. Composite veneers do not have high strength and durability. There is a better alternative to all options: install veneers without grinding your teeth Luxneers

Life time

Veneers, like no other element of prosthetics, have often become the subject of scientific research and experimentation. It seemed too implausible even to dentists that the thinnest plates could someday seriously compete with crowns. But time after time, researchers got the same result:

• the average service life of a composite plate is 5 years, subject to regular grinding and polishing;
• porcelain veneers will almost certainly last 10-15 years.

Patients often request replacement of composite veneers after 2-3 years. The most common reason is darkening of the material. But if you treat ceramic plates with care, they may not need to be replaced and will last much longer than their average service life. Since the main reasons for their failure are chips, cracks, fractures resulting from injury or personal negligence.

In 2007, scientists began a large-scale study. It involved 300 patients with ceramic veneers. After 10 years, in 91% of patients the plates retained their original appearance. According to the plan, the next examination is scheduled for 2022, and scientists predict that ceramic veneers will remain intact in 73% of patients.

Reasons for installing veneers

If one or two teeth require restoration, it is more profitable to install composite veneers, but ceramics are not at all prohibited. If there are many cosmetic defects and you need to cover three or more teeth, it is advisable to use porcelain veneers.

General indications for veneering:

• Masking darkening of enamel, the presence of erosive areas, small chips and cracks, stains.
• Correction of hypersensitivity of teeth.
• Improving the appearance of the tooth after treatment of pulpitis or caries. Behind the veneer, like behind a shield, it is possible to hide fillings and tooth darkening as a result of nerve removal.
• Changing the shape of the tooth, giving the effect of uniformity in the row.
• Covering interdental spaces and wide crevices.

When choosing to improve the aesthetics of your smile with veneers, you will have to follow the instructions of your dentist. The doctor has the right to refuse to place veneers on the patient if the following diseases are traced in the anamnesis:

• Bruxism (uncontrollable night grinding of teeth);
• Deformation of gum tissue, periodontal disease, gingivitis, poor sanitary condition of the oral cavity;
• Too massive fillings on the teeth, exceeding the volume of remaining living tissue;
• Malocclusion;
• Allergy to components of the composite mass.

Do you still think that veneers without grinding of teeth Luxneers or composite are better?

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Rules of care

Modern dental ceramics are as durable as natural tooth enamel. Therefore, you shouldn’t be afraid to treat yourself to nuts or grilled sweets once again, just don’t open bottles with your teeth, and use mouthguards when doing active sports.

Another thing is composite linings. To extend their service life you will have to:

• stop smoking, otherwise your teeth will quickly turn yellow-brown;
• give up coloring foods: beets, wine, strong tea, fresh berries, coffee;
• Use cavity rinses that do not contain ethanol.

Abrasive toothpastes are contraindicated for both ceramic and composite veneers. To restore the smoothness of composite onlays, it is enough to visit the dentist once every 6-12 months for grinding.

Despite the fact that plaque does not form on ceramic linings, regular professional cleaning, at least once every six months, is also necessary in this case. But you need to trust your smile only to professionals!

Remember! Ultrasonic and popular abrasive methods of cleaning teeth Air Flow are strictly prohibited for patients with ceramic veneers. Both procedures violate the integrity of the plates.

Any problems with both composite and ceramic veneers require increased attention. Roughness and steps at the point of contact between the prosthetic material and tooth enamel cannot be ignored. If the veneer is not installed tightly, it may fall off at the most inopportune moment. And any, even the smallest, gap is a gateway to infection and a serious risk of developing caries.

Gums require no less attention. In areas of contact with veneers, they may bleed, swell, and hurt. It is dangerous to ignore such symptoms: in the case of a chronic inflammatory process, the doctor will be forced to remove the linings and start the entire restoration process all over again. To prevent this from happening, at the slightest irritation, make an appointment with a dentist you trust.

How to make a choice?

As you can see, composite and ceramic veneers differ significantly from each other, having a considerable number of features. When making a choice, it is important to take into account all factors at once, from the severity, volume and type of lesion to financial capabilities.

Highly qualified dentists at the Apex clinic will always advise you on the optimal method for restoring teeth in your particular case. Within the walls of our clinic, they will always meet you halfway and be able to offer truly effective smile correction methods that meet all your requirements and expectations!

Indications and contraindications

Like any other dental device, plates have indications and contraindications. Installation of overlays is indicated in the following cases:

• a pronounced yellow color of the tooth that cannot be whitened (more often this condition develops with the abuse of coloring foods or drinks, as well as in heavy smokers);
• if after depulpation the tooth color has become dark; with fluorosis lesions;
• in the presence of pronounced defects with a large area of ​​enamel damage;
• with uneven and incorrect placement of teeth in the smile line;
• in the presence of abnormal development of teeth;
• if bleaching procedures to get rid of an unpleasant shade are ineffective;
• if there are old fillings that differ in color from the natural color of the enamel.

The main contraindications for installation are:

• presence of malocclusion;
• if adjacent molars are missing;
• if you have bad habits - biting nails, cracking nuts, opening bottles (such contraindications are relative, after you manage to get rid of negative habits, plates can be installed);
• if the patient suffers from bruxism;
• when leading an overly active lifestyle, engaging in extreme sports;
• if the inside of the tooth is very damaged;
• with pathological abrasion of enamel.

Material

Ceramics is used for aesthetic restoration because it is as close as possible in optical properties and appearance to tooth enamel. The surface texture, light reflection, and the degree of transparency of the material are such that the restored crowns look natural.

Dental composite is more often used for filling and functional restoration of crowns. It is used less often in aesthetic restoration: it is not so transparent, the surface texture can change over time (become porous, less smooth). Composite reflects light differently than enamel. Because of all this, it does not look as natural, especially on the upper incisors, for which veneering is most often used. They can stand out and attract attention.

Ceramics and composite differ in strength and durability:

• ceramic plates do not wear off and are resistant to chips, microcracks, and other mechanical defects;
• the composite is not so durable: even with careful handling, it gradually deteriorates and requires regular polishing and periodic re-restoration.

Another selection criterion is color. The color of the installed veneers must exactly match the patient’s own enamel. When using ceramics, the shade is selected with maximum accuracy using a special color scale. For composite compositions there are fewer color gradations, which makes it more difficult to accurately select a shade.

After installation, the plates should not be stained by drinks, foods or darken over time. Ceramics are resistant to color changes: the structure of the material is dense, without pores on the surface, it does not absorb pigments or dyes. The density of the composite is lower. Gradually its color may change; it will stain faster than enamel. Because of this, the restored crowns will differ in appearance from the rest of the teeth.

Reducing tooth sensitivity with veneers

Dentures can not only make teeth aesthetically more beautiful, but also protect them from external influences that affect their condition. Also, by installing such pads you will forget about what hypersensitivity is.

Naturally, you should consult with your dentist before installation. He will determine which veneers you need, and whether you need them at all. You may need to fix other issues before installation. For example, if your teeth are too crooked, you may need to install braces. If the problem is purely aesthetic, then there are no contraindications for installation.

We looked at how composite veneers differ from ceramic ones. Which one is right for you is up to you to decide. However, ceramic plates are most recommended. With them you go for a long time and without problems.

You can install any type of veneers at Levi-Dent dentistry, where you will find the best prices and the best quality.

Indications for installation of overlays

Composite onlays will help correct any minor enamel defects and aesthetic imperfections of the smile:

• chips;
• enamel irregularities;
• microcracks;
• large gap between the front teeth;
• old darkened fillings;
• stains on teeth that cannot be whitened.

If the patient is categorically not satisfied with his smile, ceramic veneers will be a more effective solution. With their help, you can radically change the situation: create a Hollywood smile, correct wedge-shaped teeth, crowded incisors, and correct your bite. The installation of ceramic veneers is also recommended for worn-out tooth enamel, as well as for too small teeth.

Production stages

Composite plates are very quickly installed on damaged teeth. This is explained by the special properties of the material (coposite), as well as the technology for manufacturing the plates and their installation:

• The tooth is lightly ground (the thickness of the removed enamel is 0.3-0.7 mm);
• A special cord is installed between the tooth and the gum to avoid damage to the gum;
• The oral cavity is rinsed with a special solution and dried;
• Next, the dense substance of the composite is applied in layers, each layer is fixed with ultraviolet light;
• The resulting result is leveled and polished.

It must be said that every six months it is necessary to do grinding to maintain their aesthetics.