Veneers: ceramic or composite

Ceramic or composite - this is the question patients ask most often before getting veneers. Both options remove yellowness, chips and an uneven contour, but they differ in price, durability and how they are repaired. We explain how they differ and who suits which.

What are veneers

A veneer is a thin overlay on the front surface of a tooth that changes its colour, shape and length. The thickness of a ceramic overlay is 0.3-0.7 mm, so enamel preparation is minimal. Read more about the technique on the veneers page.

Most often veneers are placed on the upper front teeth - the smile zone. If needed, they are combined with front tooth restoration when the condition of the tooth requires it.

Composite veneers

The doctor sculpts composite veneers from a photopolymer material right in the chair. That is why they are fast: we finish most cases in a single visit.

• fabrication in 1 visit;
• minimal tooth preparation;
• can be repaired right in the chair;
• service life - 5-7 years.

Composite is somewhat inferior to ceramic in colour stability: over time the material may dull. But the price and speed make it a convenient solution for those who want to change their smile without long planning.

Ceramic veneers

Ceramic veneers are made by a dental technician in a laboratory from impressions. This is the most expensive but also the most aesthetic option: ceramic does not yellow and transmits the natural translucency of enamel.

• the highest aesthetics and naturalness;
• colour does not change throughout the service life;
• biocompatible with gum tissue;
• service life - 15-20 years.

We use E-max ceramic. We distinguish standardised veneers and veneers with individual layering - the latter reproduce colour more precisely.

Comparison: durability, price, colour, repairability

The main differences are easy to reduce to four points:

• durability: composite - 5-7 years, ceramic - 15-20 years;
• price: composite is cheaper, ceramic is more expensive but lasts four times longer;
• colour: composite dulls over time, ceramic does not change colour;
• repair: composite is easy to add to, a damaged ceramic veneer more often has to be replaced.

That is why composite is often chosen as a quick solution, and ceramic as a long-term investment.

Which suits whom

Composite veneers will suit you if you need to fix a few teeth quickly and inexpensively: a small chip, a gap or slight unevenness.

Ceramic veneers are the choice for those who want a stable result for years and are sensitive to colour and naturalness. They are often placed on the entire smile zone.

If the cause is only yellowness without shape defects, first consider whitening - sometimes it solves the issue without overlays.

The doctor makes the final choice after an examination: they assess the condition of the enamel, the bite and how loaded the teeth are.

How long placement takes

We place composite veneers in 1 visit. Ceramic ones require 2 visits: the first for preparation and impressions, the second for fixing the finished veneers after 1-2 weeks.

Before we start, we do 3D smile modelling and shade selection so the result matches expectations. Placement is painless because it is done under local anaesthesia.

Veneer prices in Irpin

The price is calculated per 1 tooth. Estimated prices at Sorridi:

• consultation - from 500 UAH;
• composite veneers - from 5,000 UAH;
• ceramic veneer (standardised) - from 18,000 UAH;
• ceramic veneer (with individual layering) - from 30,000 UAH.

The doctor determines the exact amount after an examination: it depends on the number of teeth and the type of veneers. The full price list is on the prices page.