How many types of porcelain veneers are there? Which type is best? Which type is cheapest but still ensures quality?

How many types of porcelain veneers are there, and what are they? 

Porcelain veneers come in many types across different price segments. However, not all of them deliver the value users expect. On top of that, many types of facings are called porcelain veneers but are not actually porcelain veneers. 

How many types of porcelain veneers are there? Which should you choose?

Classifying them by material, such as glass ceramic, zirconia or even imitations such as composite, will help you answer for yourself which porcelain veneers are best and safest for your oral health.

"Genuine" porcelain veneers 

These are true porcelain veneers, requiring refined fabrication techniques and made from premium materials: 

- Glass ceramic veneers (lithium disilicate): the most common are Emax and Lisi. These are high-quality porcelain veneers known as the "gold standard" in conservative cosmetic dentistry. 

- Reinforced glass ceramic veneers: glass ceramic mixed with about 10% zirconia. This combination makes the veneers both translucent and stronger than traditional glass ceramics.

- Feldspathic porcelain veneers: the most traditional handmade porcelain, more brittle than glass ceramics. Feldspathic veneers are as thin as an insect's wing and extremely beautiful but require meticulous, highly experienced artisans. They are less common today because they are not very durable.

- Zirconia veneers: Harder, but without the ideal translucency of glass ceramics. 

Although their properties differ somewhat, what these porcelains have in common is maximum preservation of natural teeth, a key criterion when considering which porcelain veneers are best. So knowing clearly how many types of porcelain veneers there are will help you choose a highly compatible porcelain and avoid bulkiness or gingivitis caused by mistakenly using poor-quality porcelain.

Facings "disguised" as veneers

This is the most misleading group, often advertised at low prices or under fancy names to attract customers. Poor-quality veneers also cause problems such as bad breath, discolored teeth or chipping that affects the opposing teeth. 

"Fake" porcelain veneers cause many problems for oral health

Facings "disguised" as porcelain veneers on the market today include: 

• Composite veneers: essentially the composite resin used for fillings. The dentist builds it up directly on the tooth and then polishes it. Because they are not a premium porcelain material, these facings easily absorb saliva, discolor quickly and cause bad breath. 
• Porcelain-fused-to-metal veneers: a thin metal framework covered with porcelain. This goes completely against the nature of veneers, because proper veneers must be all-ceramic to allow light to pass through.
• Cosmetic porcelain teeth on reduced teeth (porcelain crowns): this is also a case of swapping concepts, but a more serious one. Although advertised as veneers, many clinics actually grind the patient's teeth down to fit a porcelain crown on top. 

This confusion over names has cost many patients dearly. So careful screening to know how many types of porcelain veneers there are and which is best is key to a successful restoration.

The harm caused by poor-quality porcelain veneers

With the cosmetic dentistry market booming with countless cheap options, patients should be clear-headed about the unpredictable consequences of poor-quality porcelain veneers. 

Gingivitis and violation of the biological width 

Poor-quality veneers usually come with large errors from manual fabrication. When these substandard materials encroach on the biological width, they trigger the body's natural rejection response, causing the gums to become infected, red, swollen and bleeding.

"Fake" porcelain veneers lack ideal translucency, have an artificial color and easily cause inflammation 

The rough surface of cheap porcelain, together with the toxicity of poorly biocompatible cements, allows anaerobic bacteria to accumulate, causing inflammation and gum recession. The inevitable results are unpleasant breath, visible veneer margins and the risk of loosening the natural teeth. 

A "fake" look and oxidation of the material

Poor-quality veneers are usually made from impure compounds that lack the necessary translucency and light transmission. After a short time in the mouth (which is acidic and very humid), the impurities in cheap porcelain oxidize, discolor or develop tiny black spots. "Fake" porcelain has a rough surface, so it also stains from food more easily than premium porcelain. 

Bite disorders and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain

Porcelain veneers re-establish the relationship of the bite. Poor-quality veneers are usually not made with modern technology and are prone to errors. 

Veneers placed for the wrong indications or with the wrong materials can cause TMJ pain or inflammation 

Even one small premature contact on the porcelain surface changes how the lower jaw moves. When chewing, the jaw muscles distribute force unevenly, putting heavy pressure on the temporomandibular joint.

Patients often have a tired jaw or hear a "clicking" sound when opening their mouth. If this persists, it leads to headaches and chronic neck and shoulder pain. If the bite is not corrected in time, the temporomandibular joint may degenerate permanently.

Which porcelain veneers are best? 

Swapping concepts about types of porcelain teeth usually happens at disreputable clinics that do not put patients' health first. So the most important thing is to choose a clinic that ensures quality and uses premium dental materials. 

Lac Viet Intech has chosen the 3 best types of porcelain veneers: Emax, Lisi and zirconia. These materials suit the anthropometric features and enamel structure of Asian people, ensuring complete biocompatibility and long-term durability. This is also the "power trio" recommended by dental experts worldwide.  

Lisi porcelain veneers 

As one of the most premium glass ceramics available today, Lisi Press has an ultra-fine nano structure. This allows technicians to make ultra-thin veneers of only 0.2–0.4 mm that are still tough and not brittle.                                                               

The results of Lisi porcelain veneers

Advantages of Lisi porcelain veneers: 

- Minimally invasive: the dentist needs to remove little or almost none of the natural enamel.

- Thin yet extremely hard (~500 MPa), withstanding chewing forces in the mouth for a long time.

- Natural gloss and a nano-grain structure create a radiant, elegant smile that still looks real.

Because of its high translucency, Lisi Press is the ideal "piece" for teeth that are already even and attractive and need their shape improved (small teeth, slight gaps) or more gloss. This porcelain is not suitable for covering severe discoloration.

Emax Press porcelain veneers

Known as the classic lithium disilicate porcelain, Emax Press is an excellent choice for the front teeth thanks to its ability to perfectly recreate a translucent incisal edge. It is also the most popular with patients because it delivers high aesthetics at a reasonable price. 

Outstanding aesthetic results with Emax veneers

Advantages of Emax Press porcelain veneers: 

- The porcelain blends perfectly with natural enamel thanks to the "chameleon" effect, suiting patients who love refined, natural beauty.

- Impressive flexural strength of 400–500 MPa, 4 times stronger than ordinary glass ceramics.

- Ultra-thin, only 0.3–0.5 mm, requiring little preparation of the natural tooth.  

- Acid etching creates micro-pores that let the porcelain and natural tooth bond chemically into a single unit, eliminating the risk of chipping or detachment.

- High biocompatibility protects the gums, with a commitment to no dark gum line or irritation.

With a survival rate of up to 95% after 20 years, Emax Press has set a durability record that few porcelains can match. It is the ideal solution for cases with a stable bite and teeth that are not too severely discolored.

Zirconia veneers 

The core difference of these veneers lies in their composition of ultra-fine zirconia particles. This creates a perfect blend of glass-like translucency and superior coverage.

Which porcelain veneers are best?

Advantages of zirconia porcelain veneers: 

- Zirconia veneers are the "nemesis" of severely discolored teeth. With good coverage, zirconia veneers give a uniformly bright white look.

- They ensure complete stability under strong chewing forces thanks to the highest flexural strength on the market (600–900 MPa). 

Although very hard, under high-intensity light the shade of zirconia looks somewhat less vibrant and natural than Emax or Lisi.

Because of its specific physical properties, the chemical bond of zirconia requires the clinic's bonding process to be extremely strictly controlled. Lac Viet Intech Dental applies in-depth bonding standards to eliminate the risk of detachment and ensure stable durability for over 10 years.

Which porcelain veneers should you choose? 

Once you know how many types of porcelain veneers there are and which is best, you can also choose veneers based on the criteria below:

- The relationship between translucency and tooth color: if your natural teeth are attractive, choose glass ceramics; if they are discolored, choose porcelain with high coverage such as zirconia. 

- Priority by functional area: for the front teeth, which demand maximum refinement, glass ceramics (Emax, Lisi) with multi-layer color effects are always the top choice. For molars that bear heavy forces or for patients who grind their teeth, dentists usually prefer porcelain with superior mechanical strength such as zirconia to ensure a long lifespan.

Porcelain veneers can close gaps 

A skilled dentist knows how to combine the porcelain material, bonding system and color of the prepared tooth to create the most harmonious, natural restoration for the patient's face. As you can see, the dentist's role is still the most important. So besides choosing veneers, you should also research carefully to choose a reputable clinic and a skilled dentist to accompany you throughout treatment. 

How much do porcelain veneers cost? 

The cost of porcelain veneers is determined by 4 pillars: high-quality materials, highly qualified dentists, modern treatment technology and a long-term warranty. 

Porcelain veneers usually cost 7,500,000 – 14,000,000 VND per tooth. Below is the porcelain veneer price list at Lac Viet Intech: 

Note: this is an all-inclusive price per tooth. 

Total cost of veneers = price per tooth x number of teeth - discounts (if any)

Lac Viet Intech – a reputable, high-quality clinic for porcelain veneers 

At Lac Viet Intech, we believe a perfect veneer case lies not only in a thin piece of porcelain but in strict standards for our specialist dentists. 

Skilled, experienced dentists 

Veneers are a difficult restorative technique that requires dentists not only to have refined aesthetic taste but also extremely precise hands. What patients pay for is the guarantee of a team of experts who meet all these strict standards. 

Lac Viet Intech is a trusted place for porcelain veneers for millions of patients 

Requirements for becoming a veneer dentist at Lac Viet Intech: 

- 100% of the dentists have formal degrees from prestigious medical universities and in-depth certificates in cosmetic veneers from leading experts.

- Mastery of the "minimally invasive" technique, controlling ultra-fine reduction of only 0.2–0.5 mm.

- Proficiency in modern smile design software so patients can preview the result and receive a personalized treatment plan.

- Continuously keeping up with the latest treatment techniques by attending professional training courses, conferences and seminars. 

Applying strict standards for selecting dentists is the barrier that prevents complications, aiming for a painless veneer procedure and aesthetics that last over time.

A commitment to premium porcelain 

The origin of the porcelain blank is a key component of the cost of a restoration. In fact, when looking into how many types of porcelain veneers there are, patients will notice that the biggest difference lies in the quality of the porcelain blank. Lac Viet Intech commits to using only genuine porcelain from Germany and Japan that has passed strict testing to achieve a balance between strength and biocompatibility.

Lac Viet Intech commits to using only premium porcelain imported directly from Germany and Japan

Unlike unregulated porcelain that discolors easily, premium porcelain blanks have natural light transmission and permanent color stability. Investing in genuine materials not only brings refined beauty but is also a long-term saving, helping patients avoid the risks of irritation or cracked veneers.

Modern fabrication technology with an in-house lab 

The difference in veneer costs at Lac Viet Intech also lies in its closed-loop fabrication process. Instead of sending tooth models through intermediaries, the CAD/CAM system in the clinic's own lab "digitizes" the entire production process. 

This process completely eliminates manual errors and ensures the veneers fit perfectly. Having its own fabrication workshop also cuts intermediary costs to a minimum. The benefit is the best base price for patients without compromising on porcelain quality.

Lac Viet Intech controls 100% of the porcelain blanks it uses and keeps waiting times to a minimum, so patients can get a perfect smile in a short time.

Modern supporting equipment 

The cost of veneers at specialized clinics such as Lac Viet Intech reflects the value of million-dollar equipment, from cone beam CT scanners and dental microscopes to 3D/5D jaw scanning technology. This is not just keeping up with trends; it is how dentists eliminate manual errors and ensure every veneer fits perfectly. Do not accept the risks of primitive equipment; choosing a clinic that always leads in equipment is your guarantee of safety and long-term treatment results.

Lac Viet Intech commits to genuine materials, skilled dentists and modern technology 

Instead of searching endlessly for how many types of porcelain veneers there are, let the experts at Lac Viet Intech help you create your most perfect smile. We believe an ideal veneer lies not only in a premium porcelain blank but also in the dentist's refined aesthetic taste and top-level technique.