Objective To explore the application effect of direct composite resin veneers in aesthetic restoration of anterior teeth. Methods A total of 42 patients who underwent aesthetic restoration of anterior teeth in the Department of Stomatology, Zhangjiagang Guanghe Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine from June 2024 to June 2025 were selected as the research subjects. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the control group (36 affected teeth) and the observation group (35 affected teeth), with 21 patients in each group. The control group received cast ceramic veneer treatment, and the observation group received direct composite resin veneer treatment. The minimally invasive degree, operation efficiency, restoration success rate, periodontal health and aesthetic satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results The average operation time per tooth and average tooth preparation thickness per tooth in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P <0.05). There were no significant differences in the success rates of marginal adaptation and gingival inflammation between the two groups (P >0.05). At 12 months after treatment, the success rates of color discoloration and restoration fracture in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P <0.05). There were no significant differences in periodontal health and aesthetic satisfaction between the two groups (P >0.05). Conclusion The application of direct composite resin veneers in aesthetic restoration of anterior teeth can effectively reduce tooth preparation volume and chairside time, with favorable color stability and prosthesis integrity. It achieves comparable effects with cast ceramic veneers in terms of periodontal health maintenance, marginal adaptation, gingival inflammation control and aesthetic satisfaction.