When a patient requests dental veneers, the question of material quickly arises. Composite or ceramic — which is the best option?
The honest answer — it depends. Not just on the budget. It depends on the clinical situation, the available thickness, the tooth, and what we aim to achieve.
Here’s how Dr. Zerguine addresses this question at Dental Swiss Clinics in Montreux.
Composite — an option gradually being phased out
Composite is a synthetic resin applied directly to the tooth in the clinic, in a single session. Its main advantage — the cost, significantly lower than ceramic.
In Dr. Zerguine’s practice, composite is now almost abandoned for veneers. Not because it’s bad — but because chairside milled ceramic offers durability, precision, and an aesthetic result that composite cannot match in the long term.
Composite remains an option for patients whose budget is the primary constraint. But it is no longer the reference solution.
Ceramic — the reference solution in the clinic
At Dental Swiss Clinics, all ceramic veneers are made in-house thanks to a complete digital workflow — intraoral scan, computer-aided design, direct manufacturing. No intermediate lab, no second appointment in the vast majority of cases.
Two ceramic materials are used depending on the clinical indication.
Lithium disilicate — for standard veneers
Pre-crystallized lithium disilicate is the reference material for ceramic veneers. It offers high mechanical resistance, natural translucency, and clinically documented durability.
It is milled directly in the clinic with the CEREC milling machine — in a single visit. Scan, design, milling, polishing, bonding. The patient leaves with their definitive veneers placed the same day.
This material requires a minimum available tooth thickness — slight preparation is sometimes necessary to ensure a natural result and optimal bonding.
Ceramic-filled PMMA — for ultra-thin veneers
Ceramic-filled PMMA is manufactured by 3D printing in the clinic. It is a high-performance composite material that combines the lightness of polymer with the strength of ceramic.
Its major clinical advantage — it allows for extremely thin veneers, impossible to achieve with lithium disilicate. It is the solution of choice for no-prep or minimally prepared veneers — where available thickness is very limited.
It is a definitive solution in appropriate indications. 3D-printed ceramic-resin hybrid materials offer good mechanical and aesthetic properties — scientific literature continues to document their long-term performance.
What truly guides the choice
The decision between lithium disilicate and ceramic-filled PMMA is not a matter of preference — it’s a matter of clinical indication.
The available thickness on the tooth, the occlusal situation, whether preparation is planned or not — these are the elements that determine which material is most suitable.
In both cases — manufacturing is done in the clinic, in a single visit, without an intermediate lab. This is what digital dentistry, mastered since 2013, makes possible.
What it means for the patient
Two materials, one visit, one location — Dr. Zerguine evaluates, designs, and places each veneer himself. No delegation to a lab, no loss of information between the impression and the final piece.
The choice of material is explained before any decision, along with the benefits, limitations, and corresponding quote. To learn more about prices — ceramic veneers are offered starting from CHF 800.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is composite less durable than ceramic? Yes — composite dulls and wears faster than ceramic. In the long term, ceramic offers better aesthetic and mechanical stability.
Are ceramic-filled PMMA veneers definitive? In appropriate indications, yes. 3D-printed ceramic-resin hybrid materials offer good mechanical properties — scientific literature continues to document their long-term performance.
Can no-prep veneers be done with both materials? Ceramic-filled PMMA is particularly suitable for no-prep or ultra-thin veneers. Lithium disilicate generally requires slight preparation.
Is placement done in a single visit? Yes — in indicated cases, scanning, design, manufacturing, and placement are all performed during the same consultation in Montreux.
What is the cost difference between composite and ceramic? Composite is less expensive in the short term. Ceramic represents a more durable investment — ceramic veneers are offered starting from CHF 800 at Dental Swiss Clinics.