Porcelain vs. Composite Veneers
Two roads to the same aesthetic goal — with very different lifespans, costs, and trade-offs.
Porcelain veneers are fabricated in a dental laboratory from ceramic and bonded to the tooth. Composite veneers are sculpted chairside from resin.
Porcelain
- Ten to twenty years with excellent maintenance
- Superior stain resistance and light behavior
- Higher initial cost, two or more visits
Composite
- Five to seven years, easily repaired or refreshed
- Single-visit, more accessible cost
- More prone to staining and edge chipping
Choosing between them
Composite is often the smart starting point for younger patients or reversible cases. Porcelain is the long-term investment when the goal is permanence.
Medically reviewed
Reviewed and edited by Dr. Marianna Zadov, DDS. Last updated August 2026.
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