Difference Between Porcelain Veneers and Zirconia
Dental veneers are very popular dental cosmetic treatments that can make quick shape and color changes to their teeth. Porcelain veneers have been used over the last few decades, which increased the popularity of cosmetic veneers and thus increased the range of tooth-colored covers for teeth. Choosing between porcelain veers and zirconia veneers can be confusing. A highly skilled Riverside family dentist can clarify and explain the difference between porcelain and zirconia veneers.
Difference between porcelain veneers and zirconia
Both the porcelain and zirconia veneers are made of ceramic. However, porcelain is most common among dentists.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are ceramic pieces adhered to your front teeth to change your smile. They provide stability and strength and look like natural teeth. They are regular dental veneers as they look natural. It is mainly the material choice of dental veneers that make it aesthetically pleasing, durable, long-lasting, and strong.
The new porcelain veneers are prepared from numerous dental ceramics, which include leucite material, lithium disilicate, and feldspathic ceramic porcelain. In general, lithium disilicate is considered to be the most conservative option and is best suited for patients with healthy teeth structure. On the other hand, feldspathic ceramic porcelain is best suited for patients with extensive dental problems or high esthetic expectations. Porcelain veneers resist staining from tea, coffee, and red wine and can last up to 15-20 years.
Zirconia veneers
Zirconia veneers are prepared from zirconium dioxide, a strong dubbed ceramic steel. They are generally unbreakable. The only con with this ceramic is that it is opaque, not translucent, and veneers do not look like natural teeth. It does not look very aesthetic and mostly looks like fake teeth.
Recently launched material made with zirconia and aluminum, lithium dioxide has been created, which is translucent, strong, and aesthetically pleasing. Zirconia is solid and resists breaking. This is beneficial over porcelain veneer as they can be breakable until cemented in the spot.
But newer and conventional zirconia veneers do not bond nicely to the teeth, making them more likely to come off or debond. It is because zirconia is acid-resistant and cannot bond very well to the teeth’s surface.
A special bonding procedure has been launched to attach zirconia to the teeth. The process is time-consuming, and the overall price reflects this. Only specially trained cosmetic dentists can fit them, making the process even more expensive. Zirconia lasts about 5-7 years compared to porcelain, which lasts about 15-20 years.
