If you’re looking to transform your smile with veneers in Charlotte, you’ve come to the right place—Skyview Dentistry is proud to be one of the top destinations for cosmetic dentistry in the area. More people than ever are choosing veneers to enhance their appearance and boost their confidence, and our experienced team is here to help you do just that. Whether you're planning to improve your smile or simply want to feel more comfortable in social settings, veneers can offer a life-changing solution.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key differences between porcelain and composite veneers, so you’ll know exactly what to expect when you visit us for your virtual personalized consultation.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are covers that fit over your teeth to give you an amazing smile makeover! Your dental veneers will be customized specifically for your teeth, matching the size, color, and spacing you desire for a natural appearance.
They play a significant role in cosmetic dentistry, giving patients the opportunity to improve on the teeth they were born with.
Reasons to get dental veneers include:
- Need to improve the appearance of permanently discolored or stained teeth
- You have chipped teeth and want to restore their original look
- Space or gaps between your teeth are annoying and distracting
- Crooked teeth require alignment
- You have small teeth or misshapen teeth that you want to correct
There are three main types of veneers for you to choose from: porcelain, composite, and Lumineers.
Porcelain Veneers Overview
Porcelain veneers are known for their high durability and ability to resist stains. They require the same maintenance as your original teeth (brushing, flossing, and regular dentist checkups).
When you come in for your consultation and we determine you’re a candidate for veneers, we’ll take impressions of your teeth and take pictures. We’ll sculpt each veneer individually for a custom fit. The dentist will need to remove some enamel from your tooth in order to apply the veneer.
We will place them on your teeth and verify they fit, making adjustments before we actually permanently bond the veneers with your teeth.
Ideal candidate profile:
You have imperfections such as stains, crooked or small teeth, whose appearance you want to improve cosmetically.
Composite Veneers Overview
Unlike porcelain veneers, composites are made out of resin and fillers. They use the same kind of bonding material that you see with fillings. With direct composite veneers, we can typically finish the work during the same appointment. So, they are faster and cost-effective. However, they last about 7 years, compared to the 15 years of porcelain veneers.
If you get indirect composite veneers, you’ll need to get your teeth prepared in the same manner as used for porcelain veneers.
The ideal candidate profile is a patient with a lower budget and limited time to devote to getting veneers placed.
Lumineers Overview
Another options is Lumineers, also known as minimal prep or “no-prep” veneers. Lumineers is the brand name for an ultra-thin type of veneers, ranging in size from 0.2mm to 0.3mm and made out of an extremely thin form of porcelain. Despite their extreme thinness, Lumineers are engineered to be strong.
Often, your dentist will not need to remove enamel from teeth to prepare them for being fitted with Lumineers, as compared to porcelain veneers (composite veneers sometimes do not require much, if any, enamel to be removed).
However, be prepared that your dentist may need to remove some enamel to fit your Lumineers. We won’t know until you come in for your consultation.
Comparison: Porcelain vs. Composite Veneers
Here’s some comparative information to guide you as you decide about getting porcelain or composite veneers. We will be happy to consult with you if you have any questions, so feel free to call us today!
Average pricing in Charlotte, NC
The prices for veneers for patients in Charlotte, NC, will vary according to factors such as the number of veneers needed and the type of veneers selected.
Composite resin veneers are known to be the least costly option, typically costing about $800 per tooth, according to GoodRx.
Porcelain veneers can range from $900 to $2,500 per tooth, with the average cost being $1,500, as noted by GoodRx.
A variant is porcelain laminate, which is ultra-thin and costs about $800 to $2,000 each. With this type of veneer, your dentist may not need to remove any enamel to place the cover on your tooth, meaning the laminate type can be reversible if you choose to remove them.
To explore more financing options for your dental veneers, check out our blog that discusses the pricing options available at Skyview Dentistry.
Longevity vs. upfront cost
It’s prudent to check how long composite and porcelain veneers last as you review pricing for placing them on your teeth.
Composite veneers, while costing less, tend to have a lifespan ranging from 5 to 7 years. In comparison, porcelain veneers are stronger and can last 10 to 15 years. Since they resist wear and chipping, they make better sense for an investment over the long haul.
Since veneers are typically considered cosmetic, they’re not usually covered by insurance programs. But if your dentist notes that you need veneers to address medical issues caused by damage to the teeth, then your insurance may cover some of the costs of dental veneers.
At Skyview Dentistry in Charlotte, we don’t feel that lack of insurance should prevent you from getting the veneers you need. We offer finance options at our office. Please connect with us for details about making payments.
How to Choose the Right Type for You
The main factors for you to consider are your budget, your timeline, your aesthetic needs and the long-term goals you have for your smile.
If you are working with a smaller budget, composite resin veneers are usually going to be your lower-cost option, compared to porcelain veneers or Lumineers.
But if your main consideration is how durable and long-lasting your veneers will be, remember that porcelain veneers can last as many as 15 years, while composite veneers may work for up to 7 years.
When to consult a cosmetic dentist
You should schedule an appointment for a consultation with Skyview Dentistry in Charlotte if you have teeth whose stains or discoloration you have not been able to remove.
If your teeth are crooked, or have spaces or gaps, it’s another reason to consult with us. Patients who are reluctant to reveal their smile or even open their mouths in front of others will also want to speak with us. We want to improve your smile so you feel more confident!
Customizing your treatment plan
We’ll create a customized treatment plan just for you, after consulting with you and assessing the condition of your teeth. And your plan will also depend on what type of veneers you get, such as composite resin or porcelain veneers.
Finding the Best Cosmetic Dentist in Charlotte
You want to be comfortable with your choice of a cosmetic dentist in Charlotte. Ideally, in addition to having years of experience evaluating patients for veneers and other smile-improving options, your dentist will promote a welcoming and relaxing environment. Pick a cosmetic dentist that takes before-and-after photos of your teeth. These images are essential for planning your treatment and verifying the work done to improve your teeth’s appearance. Check out the images of satisfied patients who have received cosmetic dentistry services at Skyview Dentistry. Talk to friends and neighbors about their preferences for local cosmetic dentists. Read reviews from objective websites too, to get a better idea of what patients can expect to experience. As one of the top-reviewed cosmetic dentists in Charlotte, the professionals at Skyview Dentistry look forward to speaking with you about your options for dental veneers.
Consult With Skyview Dentistry in Charlotte Today for Advice About Porcelain vs. Composite Veneers
If you’re still undecided about whether porcelain or composite veneers are best for you, the team at Skyview Dentistry in Charlotte is standing by to help! In addition to veneers, we provide a full range of cosmetic dentistry services, including composite bonding, dental implants, teeth whitening, and Invisalign clear aligners instead of traditional metal braces.
For more information or to schedule a consultation with us about veneers or our other cosmetic dentistry services, please get in touch with us today.