Ceramic vs Porcelain – What’s the difference?

What is Ceramic?

Ceramic is defined as any inorganic material which is produced by the application of heat. Dental veneers, crowns and bridges, are often made of materials such as ceramic, which comes in various forms under many brand names. They are a very popular option for those patients looking for a great aesthetic result that will last for the long term.

What is porcelain?

Porcelain is essentially an umbrella term for inorganic materials, classically from bone China porcelain which naturally occurs from the earth’s crust. Porcelain veneers are used routinely in cosmetic dentistry within the UK.

Is there a difference between the two?

The only difference between ceramic and porcelain is how they’re produced, aesthetics with porcelain is classically gold standard – but the difference today is small.

Does it matter, what does this mean for my treatment?

It’s largely syntax – your dentist should be able to differentiate and advise on what is best. It comes down to the dentist recommending it depending on patients desired outcomes coupled with the strength characteristics required for your teeth.

How long does ceramic/porcelain last?

Both ceramic and porcelain generally have the same life span of around 10-15 years.

Is porcelain or ceramic better for my dental health?

Neither porcelain nor ceramic will have an ill effect on your dental health. If you having the treatment done with a good cosmetic dentist from London like Marylebone Smile Clinic, who is experienced and skilled in providing the treatment to you, the results will be excellent under their guidance.  

Are porcelain or ceramic veneers better looking?

Both have a fantastic aesthetic appearance! If the shade match/colour matching is correct, and you have a good lab technician and dentist working together, the result will be perfect.

Is zirconia stronger than porcelain and ceramic?

Zirconia is a type of ceramic. However, it’s not used for veneers due to its difficulty in adhesively bonding to teeth. Zirconia ceramic is better for bridges, crowns and implant crowns.

What is ceramic coating for teeth?

Ceramic coating is also known as ceramic veneers. Ceramic coating is ceramic ‘shells’ that cover the front and side surfaces of your tooth to give a better aesthetic appearance.

Is a porcelain veneer the same as a cap, cover, coating or filling?

A porcelain veneer, cap, cover and coating are all the same! A filling, however, is generally done when a patient has decay detected by their dentist, and needs the decay to be removed, and a filling in placed to replace the lost tooth structure.

Is Snap On Smile made of porcelain or ceramic?

A Snap on Smile is made of a resin based material, PMMA or acrylic. It is not made from porcelain or ceramic and does not have the long-lasting lifespan of 10-15 years. Snap On Smile is removable, meaning it does not fit precisely to your teeth and can create issues with cleaning, eating and drinking.

Which porcelain or ceramic do we use at Marylebone Smile Clinic?

We use a combination of ceramics, based on their aesthetic and strength properties. Some specific brands of porcelain are better suited to extremely bright smiles and others are better for more natural ones.

If you would like to learn more, the specific brands we use are E.max press by Ivoclar Vivadent, Livento & Soprano by Cendres Metaux, Creation & Creation Press by Willi Geller, Lisi Press by GC and many more based on the specific needs of the client.

Which celebrities have porcelain veneers?

Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Queen, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, Nicholas Cage, Mel Gibson, Simon Cowell to name a few.