I’ve had three consultations with dentists about porcelain veneers. Two of them recommend feldspathic porcelain, and the other recommended e.max. However, I’ve seen several before-and-after pictures on social media of dentists who used zirconia for veneers. Can you rank the materials from best to worst for me so that I know what to ask for and what to avoid? Thanks. Serenity from NV

Serenity,

It’s easy to think of porcelain veneers as a simple fix, but they’re not. Veneers are as much art as they are dentistry. The material matters, but not as much as the dentist’s training, skill, and experience. Choosing a cosmetic dentist is like choosing an artist—you wouldn’t ask whether watercolor or oil is best without asking about the painter.

It is best to review before-and-after photos, research the dentist’s credentials, and learn about their reputation. Accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) is a strong indicator of skill, though there are also highly talented dentists without that credential.

What’s Wrong with Replacing Porcelain Veneers with Dental Crowns?

If a dentist is recommending replacing veneers with crowns, that’s a red flag. Veneers typically require little to no removal of healthy tooth structure, while crowns mean grinding down the front teeth to stubs. A dentist suggesting crowns instead of veneers may not be comfortable with veneers.

What Is the Best Material for Porcelain Veneers?

The best material for porcelain veneers depends largely on the artist using it. That said, there are meaningful differences:

• Zirconia: Very strong but not usually chosen by top cosmetic dentists. It comes in blocks and lacks the subtle color layering needed for a natural look.
• Feldspathic porcelain: Delicate but capable of highly natural, lifelike results when used by an experienced dentist.
• e.max (lithium disilicate): Stronger than feldspathic porcelain and capable of excellent esthetics.

An artistic cosmetic dentist can achieve beautiful results with feldspathic porcelain or e.max.

Brian LeSage, DDS, an accredited fellow of cosmetic dentistry in Beverly Hills, sponsors this post.