Considering Dental Veneers For Your Child? Why You Should Choose Composite Resin Over Porcelain
Dental veneers are an excellent way to create a beautiful smile when someone has chipped, broken, or stained teeth. They can also be an alternative to orthodontic braces if the teeth are not too crooked or there is not a bite problem. Having a nice smile is important to a person's self-esteem, and this is especially true for children and teenagers. If you are considering getting dental veneers to improve your child's smile, talk to the dentist about having composite resin veneers instead of going with porcelain veneers. The differences between the two do not change the results for the child but could make a difference as the child grows to adulthood.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin, durable pieces of ceramic that are bonded to the top of teeth. The porcelain is non-porous, so it does not stain, and reflects light the same way a natural tooth does. If treated properly, these veneers can last up to 20 years. They are considered to be a permanent form of cosmetic dentistry.
However, there are some downsides to porcelain veneers. Once applied, they cannot be removed without filing them off. If you go the full 20 years with them and find they need to be replaced, filing them off is comfortable. While they are quite durable, if you habitually chew ice, use your teeth to open bottles or grind them at night, you can damage them. They cannot be repaired, so you would have to have the damaged ones removed.
In addition to the structural differences, porcelain veneers take a couple of trips to the dentist to be applied because they are made in an off-site lab. They are also considerably more expensive than composite resin veneers.
Composite Resin Veneers
Composite resin veneers are not as permanent as porcelain veneers. They can be taken off if there is a problem that cannot be repaired. This also means that as the child grows, getting replacements to keep the teeth looking proportionate is not an issue. In addition, they can be repaired by applying a thin layer of resin over the damage and feathering it into the rest of the piece. For a young child or teenager who will be involved in a variety of activities that could result in a blow to the mouth that damages the veneers, the ease and affordability of composite resign are great benefits.
For a full-grown adult, porcelain veneers are the way to go. However, for children or teens, avoid feeling like you wasted money when the veneer cracks or chips — opt for composite resin instead. An office like Carpenter Dental, Charles M. Carpenter DMD, and Chas M. Carpenter DMD can help you and your child decide what your best option is.
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