Should I get porcelain or zirconia veneers?

I want to upgrade my smile with new veneers, and I’m looking for info on the best kind for a natural look. I think my current veneers look artificial and don’t suit my face.

I saw three different dentists for consults, and they each recommended something different. It seems like I’m going to need to choose zirconia, e.max, or feldspathic for the material, as well as whether I really want veneers or would be better off with crowns. I care more about how natural the teeth look and how long they last than the cost. What material do you think is best for my new smile?

Graham in Kenner

Graham,

Actually, the material matters less than you think. It’s the skill and artistic sensibilities of the dentist you choose that really counts. Cosmetic dentists, such as Dr. Delaune, undertake years of special training to create beautiful smiles. A great deal of artistry goes into their work, from the selection of the material to the precise palette of colors and the shape of each tooth. You’re better off looking at a cosmetic dentist’s smile gallery and credentials than evaluating zirconia and porcelain veneer types, up to a point.

I say up to a point because zirconia isn’t usually the first choice for creating natural, beautiful teeth. It comes in solid blocks that are milled into shape, so it doesn’t lend itself to the gentle variation of hues that makes a tooth look authentic. Either feldspathic porcelain or e.max could be used to create a beautiful smile; they are excellent for advanced cosmetic dentistry.

I’m concerned by your comment about choosing between veneers and crowns. To place veneers, it’s only necessary to remove a tiny bit of healthy tooth structure. With no-prep veneers, no tooth is removed. Crowns are different. To place a crown on a front tooth, the dentist must grind the original tooth down to a nub. You don’t want to do that to a healthy tooth, not when a veneer will give the same result.

This blog brought to you by Delaune Dental,  a bespoke smile design dentist in Metairie, LA.