Both porcelain and composite veneers cover the front surface of a tooth to change its colour, shape or alignment. From there they differ in almost every respect: what they are made of, how much tooth is removed, how long they last, how they are repaired and what they cost.
Neither is the better option in the abstract. The right answer depends on the tooth, the result you are after and how you want to stage the work.
What each one is
Porcelain veneers
Thin shells of dental ceramic, made outside the mouth and bonded to the prepared tooth. At Civic Gentle Dental Care these are handcrafted by the master ceramists in the group’s dedicated in-house ceramic laboratory, working alongside the treating dentist. Because the ceramic is fired rather than cured in the mouth, it can be layered to reproduce the translucency and internal colour variation of natural enamel.
Composite veneers
Tooth-coloured resin applied directly to the tooth, shaped by hand and set with a curing light, usually in a single appointment. The dentist is sculpting the final result chairside rather than sending a design to a laboratory.
How they compare
Longevity
Porcelain is the more durable material and generally lasts considerably longer before replacement. Composite is softer, picks up wear at the edges and typically needs repair, repolishing or replacement sooner. Actual lifespan for either depends heavily on grinding, biting habits, gum health and maintenance, so no figure can be promised for an individual case.
Staining
Glazed porcelain is non-porous and resists staining from coffee, tea and red wine. Composite resin is porous and will gradually take up stain, though polishing at a regular visit restores much of the appearance.
Tooth preparation
Porcelain veneers usually require a small amount of enamel to be removed so the veneer sits flush and does not look bulky. That preparation is not reversible, and the tooth will need a veneer or crown from then on. Composite veneers can often be placed with minimal or no preparation, which makes them a more conservative and, in some cases, reversible option.
Repairs
A chipped composite veneer can often be repaired directly in the mouth. A chipped or debonded porcelain veneer usually needs to be remade, because ceramic cannot be patched reliably.
Time
Composite veneers are typically completed in one appointment. Porcelain veneers involve consultation and planning, preparation and impressions or scans, laboratory fabrication and a fitting appointment, with temporary veneers in between. Our porcelain veneer cases are generally completed within around three weeks of preparation.
Colour changes
Neither material responds to whitening. If you intend to whiten your natural teeth, that has to happen before the veneers are made, so the shade can be matched to the lightened teeth. We explain the reasoning in why whitening does not change crowns and veneers.
Which situations suit which
Composite tends to suit smaller corrections, younger patients where preserving enamel matters, people testing a change in shape before committing, and staged budgets. Porcelain tends to suit larger changes in colour or shape, multiple teeth being treated together, heavier staining that composite would not mask, and cases where the longest service life is the priority.
Neither is suitable for every tooth. Active decay, gum disease, insufficient enamel for bonding, and heavy untreated grinding all need addressing first. Where teeth are significantly out of position, moving them with clear aligners before veneering often produces a better result with less tooth removed.
Looking after them
Both materials need the same daily care as natural teeth, plus some specifics: avoid biting nails, pens and packaging, do not open things with your teeth, and wear a splint if you grind. There is more detail in looking after veneers day to day.
What they cost
At Civic Gentle Dental Care, handcrafted porcelain veneers start from $1,490 per tooth. Composite veneers start from $700. The final figure depends on how many teeth are being treated and the complexity of the case, and you will receive an itemised treatment plan before anything begins. Interest-free payment plans are available through external providers, subject to their assessment and approval.
Current fees are on our price list. There is more detail on porcelain veneers and on composite veneers.
Common questions
Can I switch from composite to porcelain later?
Yes. Composite can be removed and porcelain veneers made afterwards, which is one reason some patients start with composite.
Do veneers damage the teeth underneath?
The enamel removed during preparation does not grow back, which is why the amount removed is kept to a minimum and why minimal-preparation approaches are preferred where they will achieve the result. The tooth underneath remains vital and still needs cleaning and regular examination.
How many teeth need to be done?
That depends on how far your smile line extends when you speak and smile, and on the shade difference between treated and untreated teeth. It is a planning discussion, not a fixed number.
Are veneers suitable if I grind my teeth?
Grinding needs to be managed first, usually with a splint, and it affects material choice. It is not automatically a barrier, but it does change the plan.
Booking an appointment in Canberra City
Civic Gentle Dental Care is at Suite 8, Level 3/161 London Circuit, Canberra City, a short walk from the Canberra Centre. To arrange an appointment, call (02) 6247 0224 or send us a message through our contact page.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for individual dental advice. Whether a treatment is suitable for you, and what it will involve, can only be determined after an examination by a dentist. Any prices mentioned are estimates drawn from our current price guide and are not a quote.