Objective To compare the effects of resin aesthetic restoration and all-ceramic restoration on restoration effect and aesthetic effect in patients with anterior tooth defect. Methods A total of 68 patients with anterior tooth defect admitted to Beijing Daxing District Jiugong Hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were selected. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the control group and the observation group, with 34 patients in each group. The control group received resin aesthetic restoration, and the observation group received all-ceramic restoration. The restoration effect, aesthetic effect, satisfaction and complications were compared between the two groups. Results The total effective rate of restoration in the observation group (94.12%) was higher than that in the control group (79.41%) (P<0.05). The scores of morphological coordination, color matching, marginal adaptation, overall aesthetics and total score in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The satisfaction rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). There was no statistically signiffcant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion For patients with anterior tooth defect, the restoration effect, aesthetic performance and patient satisfaction of all-ceramic restoration are better than those of resin aesthetic restoration. It can better meet the aesthetic requirements of anterior tooth restoration, without increasing the risk of complications, and is worthy of clinical application.