Dental Bonding Versus Veneers -- Which Is Right For You?
Many patients who visit a dentist these days have certain cosmetic procedures on their wish list
. Whether they'd like a whiter smile, straighter teeth, or chips taken out of their teeth, modern advances in dentistry have allowed these all to become easily possible. Veneers and dental bonding are two of the most common methods used to create a beautiful smile. However, many people are confused about the differences between the two procedures. What are the major differences between them, and when is it better to choose one over the other?Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is one of the easiest, fastest, and most cost-effective ways to improve minor imperfections in your smile. It's used commonly for making small cosmetic changes, especially with teeth that have little bite pressure like the front teeth. A dentist can use bonding to repair small cracks or chips, improve the appearance of stained teeth, and close spaces between gaps.
The application process can usually be completed in just one visit. The dentist roughens up the tooth a little, applies a tooth-colored composite resin to the tooth, and applies a conditioning material to help the resin adhere better. Then a light is applied to harden the resin, the dentist trims and shapes the tooth as necessary, and finally polishes the bonded tooth so it blends in with your natural teeth.
Dental Veneers
Veneers are one of the best ways to achieve a total smile makeover. They are thin, porcelain shells that attach to your existing teeth, and are often used when you have more than a minor imperfection to correct. Sometimes called "instant orthodontics," these porcelain shells can be used to straighten out a whole row of teeth, and improve the appearance of teeth that are misshapen. They can also cover up broken teeth, and hide permanently stained teeth and unattractive fillings.
The process can usually be completed in two to three office visits. After an initial consultation, the dentist will prep your teeth by removing a thin layer of each tooth's surface to leave room for the porcelain shell. After this, a mold is taken of the tooth or teeth and sent off to a lab to create your custom shells. Once they are ready, they will be permanently cemented to your natural teeth.
Which One To Choose?
Bonding does not require a laboratory to custom fabricate anything, so it is less expensive. Bonding also can often be completed in one office visit. It takes an hour or less per tooth and is usually painless. However, veneers are more durable than bonding, and can last for many years. They also end up looking very natural, and resist staining very well. Though they are more expensive, they are custom made for your teeth, and also are suited to fix almost any cosmetic dentistry problem you may face.
If you have minor flaws in your teeth and don't want to pay a fortune, bonding is the way to go. But if you have a smile that needs a lot of work, you may want to consider veneers. They will last for many years, and a beautiful smile is priceless.
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