If you’ve been thinking about transforming your smile with veneers, you might be wondering about the differences between chairside veneers and porcelain veneers.
Though both options can dramatically enhance your smile, they differ in materials, application methods, cost, and longevity.
Read on as Dr. Ed Trizzino and his team explain all your veneer options at Smiles of Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dental veneers refer to thin shells that cover the front surfaces of your teeth. They’re ideal for addressing multiple cosmetic concerns at once.
Dr. Trizzino offers several types of veneers, including chairside veneers, porcelain veneers, and Lumineers. Regardless of which type you choose, the end goal is the same: to enhance the appearance of your smile.
Porcelain veneers, which are thin, custom-made shells, cover the front of your teeth. They’re known for their durability, stain resistance, and natural-looking appearance.
To place them, Dr. Trizzino removes a small amount of enamel from the surface of your tooth, takes impressions, and sends them to a dental lab where your veneers are custom-crafted. It can take anywhere from one to two weeks for the lab to create your veneers.
The entire process usually takes two visits: one for preparation and one for bonding your new veneers.
Although porcelain veneers involve a greater upfront investment and slightly more prep work, they typically last longer — anywhere from 10 to even 20 years, depending on how well you care for them — than chairside veneers.
They’re ideal for correcting more complex issues like severe discoloration, spacing, or crowding.
Chairside veneers, commonly called composite veneers, are crafted and applied directly onto your teeth by Dr. Trizzino during a single office visit.
Using a tooth-colored composite resin, he carefully sculpts and bonds the material to the front of your teeth to improve their shape, color, or size.
Because they’re applied without removing any enamel, chairside veneers are a less invasive and more affordable option than traditional veneers. Even though this makes them a great choice for minor cosmetic fixes, they typically don’t last as long as porcelain veneers and may be more prone to staining or chipping over time.
If you want a less invasive porcelain option, Lumineers might be the right fit.
They’re ultra-thin and require little to no enamel removal, yet still offer impressive strength and longevity. Like traditional porcelain veneers, Lumineers are also custom-made in a dental lab and bonded over two visits.
If you’re reading through these differences and wondering what type of veneer is right for you, the answer is — it depends. It depends on your smile goals, your budget, and how long you want the results to last:
At Smiles of Atlanta, Dr. Trizzino walks you through each option to determine what will give you the best results.
If you’re ready to transform your smile with veneers, call 770-407-8459 today or use our online booking system to schedule your appointment.
