This article will discuss the pros and cons of both dental bonding and dental veneers, so you can make an informed decision with your dental professional about what’s best for you.
If you’re looking to decide between getting teeth bonding or veneers done, this is your ultimate guide to determining which is best for you. The following article will discuss the similarities and differences between both.
Click HERE to see a pros and cons table with everything in this article summarized, or scroll to the end to view.
What is dental bonding?
Tooth bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that can fix the appearance and repair chipped, cracked, broken, discolored, gapped, and short teeth to return your smile back to normal. Bonding may be a good option if you’ve sustained damage from teeth grinding (bruxism).
Dentists use bonding most frequently for minor dental problems, like if you chip a tooth. A dentist will use tooth-colored composite resin to maintain the natural appearance of your teeth.
The process involves first creating a rough surface on the teeth and applying a bonding agent. The resin is then applied to the tooth and properly shaped to ensure that your tooth will be both functional and cosmetically ideal.
The process takes about 30-60 minutes and is done in one office visit.
Since bonding does not involve removing any enamel, it can be removed if necessary. However, this causes bonding not to be as strong and will likely only last you 3 to 6 years, depending on how well you take care of your teeth.
Composite resin is not stain-resistant, so proper maintenance and avoiding staining foods is important. In addition, resin bonding does not respond to typical teeth whitening treatments, meaning if you choose to whiten your teeth, the tooth with bonding will not change color.
Dental bonding is a great option to cosmetically fix your smile and prevent damage and decay to surrounding teeth.
What are veneers?
Dental veneers are an excellent option for full mouth reconstruction or cosmetic dental work. They come in composite resin and porcelain materials, although porcelain is more common. This thin-shelled material is then adhered to your natural teeth to create a lasting improvement.
Veneers are typically used in dentistry to fix various dental issues such as damaged, cracked, chipped, discolored, misaligned, small (microdontia), and misshapen teeth. They can also close gaps in teeth or fix irregular gum lines. However, your dentist may not recommend veneers if you grind your teeth (bruxism), as they might risk falling off.
Done in two office visits, your dentist will make a mold of your teeth to send out to a lab. The lab will then send back the finished veneers 1-2 weeks later, at which point you will go into the office to get them on.
Your dentist will use local anesthesia and shave off a thin layer of your enamel to properly adhere the veneers to your natural teeth. Due to this, veneers are irreversible, meaning if one falls off, you will need to get another put on. This also may make your teeth slightly more sensitive.
Veneers are also not permanent. With proper care, porcelain veneers can last you upwards of 10-20 years, whereas composite veneers last 4-10. Porcelain is stronger than resin and is naturally more stain-resistant- although you still cannot use whitening treatments on porcelain veneers.
Teeth bonding vs. veneers, how do I choose?
Now that you know what both teeth bonding and veneers are, how do you decide? For starters, while they are very similar, bonding is typically used to fix minor problems, whereas veneers can solve mild to more severe dental problems.
Bonding is made out of resin and veneers are porcelain. Veneers will last almost twice as long. However, bonding can be reversed if necessary, and veneers are permanent due to a dentist shaving off a light layer of your enamel.
Bonding is a quicker process, with a singular office visit that takes 30-60 minutes. Veneers are more of a commitment since the mold will need to be sent out to a lab- making the process last 2 visits spanning 1-2 weeks. Dentists also use local anesthesia (numbing) for veneers, but not bonding.
Veneers are also significantly more expensive than bonding. Therefore, bonding may be a more cost-effective dental procedure for you.
Comparison between teeth bonding and veneers
Teeth Bonding vs. Veneers | Abington Center for Cosmetic and Family DentistryConclusion
Ultimately, you and your dentist will make the combined decision on whether bonding or veneers are right for you based on your qualifications and specific needs.
If you are looking for a cosmetic dental procedure, teeth bonding, or veneers in the Northeast PA, Scranton Area, Dr. Charles Dennis, DMD, and his team at Abington Center for Cosmetic and Family Dentistry are able to help you. Call the office today at (570) 587-4031 to set up an appointment.
