Composite veneers — conservative smile upgrades
Composite veneers for New Zealand patients — less enamel removal, faster treatment, and lower cost than porcelain at Picasso Dental Clinic.
Composite veneers are hand-layered resin bonded to the tooth surface. They are a legitimate option — not a “budget Turkey teeth” shortcut — when the clinical goal is small and you want to preserve enamel.
Best use cases for Kiwi patients
- Minor shape or length fixes on front teeth
- Closing small gaps without orthodontics
- Trial aesthetics before committing to porcelain
- Patients who cannot stay in Vietnam long enough for full lab porcelain
Honest limitations
| Composite | Porcelain |
|---|---|
| ~5–7 year typical lifespan | ~10–15 years |
| More staining over time | Better colour stability |
| Repairs easier, re-polish | Chip repair may need lab |
| Lower NZD per tooth | Higher upfront, better longevity |
Cost note for New Zealand patients
Composite costs less per tooth than porcelain veneers, but flight cost dominates for a single tooth. Rule of thumb from our cost guides: dental tourism only makes financial sense above roughly NZD 4,000 of treatment unless you are already travelling.
See NZ vs Vietnam veneer costs and /pricing/.
Clinical approach at Picasso
Even composite cases receive photography, shade agreement, and documented consent — the same discipline as Portrait Sitting porcelain cases, without over-promising durability.
Next steps
- Full smile plan → Porcelain veneers or Smile makeover
- Records → Free NZD quote
- Safety → Is it safe?