If you are looking to repair your smile, deciding between porcelain vs zirconia veneers can become overwhelming. Both alternatives can make your teeth appear incredible, but they have different advantages and disadvantages. Porcelain has a longer history and appears highly natural. Zirconia is more recent but far tougher. The thing is that porcelain vs zirconia veneers both have the ability to provide you with the smile you desire. You merely have to know which one will better serve your purposes. This article will explore all aspects related to each of them so that you can make an informed decision.
What are Porcelain and Zirconia Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin layers that cover your teeth. They correct issues such as stains, chips, gaps, or crooked teeth. To make these covers, ceramic materials are used. These ceramic materials are porcelain and zirconia. They adhere to the front of your teeth and remain there forever.
Porcelain veneers have been around for many years due to the fact that they resemble real teeth so closely. Zirconia veneers are more recent but becoming increasingly popular since they’re so strong. They both can transform your smile by enhancing its appearance.
Material Composition
Let’s see how porcelain vs zirconia veneers compare in terms of material composition:
Porcelain:
- Composed of glass-like material known as feldspathic ceramic
- Incorporates silica and other crystals that allow it to be transparent, like real teeth
- Some newer forms of porcelain utilize lithium disilicate, which is more durable
- Undergoes special heating to harden it and make it shiny
Zirconia:
- Formed from zirconium dioxide, which is incredibly strong
- It does not crack easily as it is more durable than porcelain
- It was used to appear very white and artificial, but newer forms are more natural
- Can be made extremely thin, but remains super durable
Aesthetic Differences
In the zirconia veneers vs porcelain comparison, have a look at their aesthetic differences:
Porcelain:
- Resembles your natural teeth most because light passes through it naturally
- Has a shiny, natural appearance that blends with your other teeth perfectly
- Won’t stain like coffee, wine, or tea stains real teeth
- Provides the natural depth and whiteness that makes teeth appear alive
Zirconia:
- It is aesthetically pleasing but allows less light through than porcelain
- Initial versions appeared to be fake, but contemporary zirconia appears a lot better
- Excellent for concealing very dark or poorly stained teeth
- The white natural shade conceals areas of trouble
Strength
In terms of strength, here’s how porcelain vs zirconia veneers compare:
Porcelain:
- Sufficiently strong for everyday eating and functioning
- Can chip if you accidentally bite down very hard on something or hit it
- As compared to old porcelain, new varieties are made to have more durability.
- You can choose it if you don’t grind your teeth or bite heavily
Zirconia:
- Approximately 3-4 times stronger than standard porcelain veneers
- Virtually impossible to crack using normal usage
- It won’t to chip or crack under stress
Tooth Preparation Required
Here’s the comparison of porcelain vs zirconia veneers regarding tooth preparation required to get the veneers:
Porcelain:
- Typically requires around 0.5-0.7mm of your tooth to be removed
- Some very thin types only need 0.3mm removed
- Less tooth removal means keeping more of your natural teeth
- The preparation is usually gentle and keeps most of your tooth
Zirconia:
- Typically needs 0.8-1.5mm of tooth structure removed
- More preparation gives the veneer room to be strong
- Some new ultra-thin types need almost no preparation
- The extra space lets the dentist make it thick enough to last
Thickness
In terms of thickness, here is a porcelain vs zirconia veneers comparison:
Porcelain:
- 0.5-0.7mm is the standard thickness
- Ultra-thin is as thin as 0.3mm
- Thicker ones are better at covering stains, but require more tooth to be removed
- Thickness determines how natural they will look and feel
Zirconia:
- Typically 0.6-1.0mm thick
- Can be as thin as 0.2mm with new technology
- Slightly thicker than porcelain but extremely thin
- The extra thickness makes them extremely strong
Porcelain vs Zirconia Veneers: Limitations
Just like advantages, now let us compare porcelain vs zirconia veneers in terms of limitations:
Porcelain:
- May chip or crack if you bite something very hard
- Not the best option if you heavily grind your teeth
- Must be handled with care when the dentist applies them
- Generally can’t be repaired if they break – you’ll need a new one
Zirconia:
- Does not look as natural as the best porcelain
- May require more of your tooth to be removed
- Requires special skills to bond properly to your tooth
- Typically takes more money than porcelain alternatives
Cost Comparison
When comparing zirconia vs porcelain veneers cost, some variation must be taken into account. Porcelain veneers tend to run $800-1,500 per tooth. Price varies depending on what you have done and where you are from. High-end porcelain is more expensive since it is better looking and longer-lasting.
Zirconia veneers are typically $1,000-2,000 per tooth. They’re more expensive up front, but most people feel they’re worth it because they last so much longer. It’s like spending more money on a quality pair of shoes that will last years as opposed to cheap ones that will fall apart almost immediately.
It matters what materials are used to fabricate these veneers. Aidite offers dental zirconia materials with strength, translucency and biocompatibility, and its 3D Pro Zir boasts enamel-like translucency that replicates natural teeth with as much as 57% translucency. For dental laboratories fabricating veneers, Aidite’s Superfect Zir flows seamlessly into CAD/CAM systems for accurate restorations.
FAQs About Porcelain vs Zirconia Veneers
What appears more natural, zirconia or porcelain?
In porcelain vs zirconia veneers, porcelain usually appears more normal because it allows light transmission just like your natural teeth.
Which is better, porcelain or zirconia veneers?
It depends on your greatest need – porcelain is the winner for appearance, zirconia is the winner for durability and longevity.
What are the disadvantages of zirconia veneers?
They are not as transparent as porcelain, may require more preparation of your teeth, and tend to cost more initially.
Are zirconia veneers better than porcelain?
Zirconia veneers are superior if you require maximum strength, whereas porcelain is superior when you want the most natural look achievable.
Conclusion
The decision between porcelain vs zirconia veneers depends on what is most important to you and your lifestyle. If you wish for the most natural smile achievable and do not have heavy bite forces, porcelain is likely your best option. But if you need veneers that can handle anything and last as long as possible, zirconia might be perfect for you. Both materials can give you an amazing smile when your dentist does them right. The key is finding a dentist who knows both materials well and can help you decide.
Remember that zirconia veneers typically last over 20 years, making them a smart long-term choice. Up-to-date zirconia products, such as Aidite’s zirconia products and CAD/CAM systems, enable dental laboratories to fabricate gorgeous, durable veneers that can redesign your smile for years to come.