If you’re considering veneers to reveal your beautiful smile, it’s important to know all of the types of veneers you can choose from. From durability to appearance, this is your guide to the major types.

What are the most common types of veneers?

Dental veneers are dental restorations that cover the face of a natural tooth. These are used most frequently when the underlying tooth is healthy but needs a cosmetic dental lift. This may be due to stained, cracked, or chipped teeth. Small gaps in teeth can also be corrected with dental veneers.

Veneers can be applied in two ways.

  1. Direct veneers: These composite restorations are affixed directly to your teeth. Direct veneers are best for quick fixes that are small (or for fixing just one tooth).
  2. Indirect veneers: Indirect veneers fix multiple teeth, often for those with more cosmetic challenges (e.g., larger gaps or deep stains).

Ceramic and porcelain veneers are the most common types of general veneers, but even within these two categories there are a wide variety of options to choose from, including:

  • Feldspathic
  • Zirconia
  • Lumineers
  • e-Max
  • Composite

When considering veneers, your dentist will evaluate your goals for your smile, the dental underlying issues, your budget, and more to help you decide which is the best veneer for you. Let’s look at each of those types in more detail.

1. Feldspathic veneers

Feldspathic veneers are a form of hand-made, premium porcelain veneers. This thin veneer makes a beautiful restoration that requires less removal of the natural tooth material and results in a smile that appears completely natural.

When done by a master ceramicist, they are the most natural looking of all of the veneers.

Material and appearance

These types of veneers are made by layering glass-based powders with liquid by hand to achieve a gorgeous finish.

It can be very difficult to find artisans who can make these types of veneers. AZ Dentist has been working with two master dental ceramists for years, one based in Arizona and the other in New York.

Because these master ceramists accept orders from all over the world and are in high demand, we book beforehand. This allows us to keep our patients in temporary veneers for as short a time as possible.

Durability

Once affixed, these veneers are one of the strongest (and most natural-looking) options. They gain their strength from the bonding process to your natural enamel. Many can last anywhere from 12 to twenty years with proper care.

However, another reason it is difficult to find a dentist who will do these veneers is because they can often chip and break before they are inserted. Feldspathic veneers are very thin and can easily be damaged without very careful handling.

They may be brittle when handled off the tooth, but highly durable once your procedure is done.

2. Zirconia veneers

This type of ceramic veneer offers full, durable coverage, which may be perfect for teeth that are deeply stained or darkened.

Material and appearance

These veneers are formed with zirconia oxide. They offer a natural appearance that is matched to your existing teeth.

Zirconia is also a popular material for dental crowns.

Durability

With proper care, zirconia veneers can last 20 years or more.

Because of their strength, zirconia veneers may be a good choice for patients who grind their teeth, as they can withstand that excessive force.

3. Lumineers

Lumineers are a branded type of veneer that is made of thin sheets of porcelain. Instead of removing tooth material, these are affixed to the top of your teeth and are considered semi-permanent.

Material and appearance

These veneers are most useful for correcting small alignment or staining issues. They can create beautifully whiter teeth, but some people find that their solidity makes them feel like their smile is more solid.

Further, because no tooth material, some report feeling that their teeth are thicker, especially at the ends and by the gums. Most people do get used to the difference quickly.

Durability

Even though they’re affixed to the top of your teeth, they still require the same dental care and cleaning.

With proper care, these types of veneers can last 20 years or more.

4. e-Max veneers

e-Max veneers are a common type of porcelain veneers used by dentists. Instead of hand layering, this is a type of pressed, or molded, porcelain veneer.

Material

Made of lithium disilicate, e-Max veneers are one of the most affordable ways to cosmetically restore your smile with veneers.

These are also faster to apply, requiring only two or three visits to the dentist (as opposed to the three or more for other types).

Durability and appearance

Because the material is thicker than other types of veneers, more of your natural tooth must be removed to accommodate that thickness. This can compromise the underlying tooth structure and means that your tooth must always be covered to protect the remaining tooth.

Additionally, the appearance of these veneers is less natural than some other types of veneers. Depending on the location of the veneer, it may be apparent that you have had a dental restoration.

The upside of e-Max veneers is that any lab can create them easily, and with proper care they can last two decades or more. They may also be more affordable than other options.

5. Composite veneers

Composite veneers are sometimes used as a temporary veneer while permanent veneers are created, but they can also be used as a semi-permanent option.

They offer the benefit of being more affordable, but because of that, they may not have the same appearance or durability as other types of veneers, as we’ll discuss.

Material and appearance

Composite veneers are constructed in the dental chair using a special compound that is applied to your teeth and then shaped. These are sometimes referred to as “one-day” veneers.

Your dentist will do their best to color match the veneers to your natural teeth, but it can be challenging, as the color palette is limited.

Because of this, these veneers do not offer the most natural look but can be useful if you are working with a limited budget. Over time, composite veneers are more prone to stains and discoloration than other types of veneers.

Durability

For most patients who take good care of their veneers, they can expect them to last somewhere between five and seven years.

You can extend the longevity of your composite veneers with proper dental care and regular checkups.

What’s the best type of veneers for me?

The best type of veneers for each patient is highly individual. There are many factors to consider, from your budget to the health needs of your natural teeth.

Another factor is the skill of your dentist. Some veneers, like feldspathic veneers, require a high quality dentist who has the experience to apply them.

At AZ Dentist, we offer all types of veneers and work with experts to create the most gorgeous veneers for your smile. Get in touch today to discuss your options! 

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