Smile makeovers are a common request for any dentist, but with similarities between many procedures, understanding exactly what each treatment entails and which is right for your requirements can be hard.
Dental veneers and dental bonding are two separate cosmetic procedures that are often confused with one another. Both can transform the appearance of your teeth and restore your confidence, but the techniques to achieve this result are quite different.
In order to understand the difference between the two, let’s find out a bit more about them.
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are dental coverings that are attached to the enamel on the outside of your natural teeth. Each set of veneers is created especially for individual patients, so they fit perfectly over your teeth. In some instances, the veneers are designed so that they align the size of the patient’s teeth and create a more equal, balanced smile. They can also be made in any shade of whiteness that the patient desires, making them a good alternative where tooth whitening may have not achieved the desired results.
What is dental bonding?
Dental bonding is a procedure that uses composite resin to mask any imperfections on your natural teeth. The resin is a dense, putty-like substance that is color-matched to your existing teeth, pasted on and then left to set. Dental bonding is often used as a quick fix for chipped teeth.
What are the benefits of porcelain veneers?
Some of the benefits of porcelain veneers include:
- They can be used to create uniformity of size and shape.
- They look natural, making them very discreet.
- They are very resistant to staining.
- They require minimal preparation to be fitted. The existing enamel on your teeth just needs to be reshaped down a little, which can be done under local anesthetic.
What are the benefits of dental bonding?
Dental bonding has several benefits, including:
- Virtually no preparation of the tooth is required, the substance is literally pasted on to your existing teeth.
- It can be done in just one visit to your dentist’s office.
- Bonding is an easy, but temporary solution to chipped or mishappen teeth.
What are the disadvantages of dental bonding?
Before you choose dental bonding, there are some things you should be aware of, which include:
- The resin used in bonding isn’t stained resistant. Therefore, you may find that over time, your smile becomes discolored.
- Dental bonding is applied only to the teeth that require it, and as such, it is generally considered to be a better solution for minor imperfections and repairs, rather than a total smile makeover.
How do I know whether veneers or bonding is the right choice for me?
Every case of cosmetic dentistry is different and dependent on the extent of improvements that the patient would like to make. If you only have a few smaller imperfections that you would like to rectify, then dental bonding may be the best choice for you. Alternatively, if you are looking for a more comprehensive transformation of your smile, then dental veneers may provide the results that you are looking for.
If you are unsure which is right for you, or would like more information on either option, we highly recommend that you make an appointment with your dentist who will be able to assess the health and quality of your smile and make the right recommendation based on your personal circumstances.