Dental Veneers Vs. Bonding; Which One Is Better for You?

The decision to choose veneers or bonding will depend on a couple of reasons, chief among them is the purpose for getting either of the restorations. That is why it is important to visit a dentist in Poway for an assessment and discussion on which treatment is best.

What are Veneers?

Dental veneers are very thin (wafer-like) shells that are fixed on the front of the teeth to change the size, color, shape, and overall appearance of the teeth. These shells are available in two materials—composite and porcelain. The porcelain veneers are the most used shells because they are durable and tooth-colored.

The composite veneers are also tooth-colored, but they are less durable and are prone to discoloration.

While veneers are an effective treatment, they are not ideal for everyone. These veneers are not ideal for people who suffer from bruxism or those who don’t have enough enamel.

What is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is the use of composite resin material on the teeth to restore the appearance and improve your smile.

Choosing either veneers or bonding will depend on three factors:

• The purpose or reason
• Procedure
• Cost

1. What is the Purpose?

Veneers and bonding fix almost similar problems, and it comes down to the severity.

The dentist will choose veneers to correct a variety of dental imperfections such as:

• Discolored teeth due to root canal treatment, excessive fluoride use, and large fillings
• Worn-down teeth
• Chipped and broken teeth
• Misaligned, uneven, irregularly shaped teeth
• Gaps between the teeth

Dental bonding is used to correct mild and moderate dental problems like:

• Chipped and cracked teeth
• Close minor gaps between the teeth
• Lengthen the teeth

2. What is the Procedure?

The primary difference between these two restorations is in the procedure.

• Fixing the veneers

The dental veneer’s procedure needs at least two dental visits and involves a few steps. After the examination and assessment, the dentist will numb the gums of the affected tooth to reduce discomfort. The teeth need a little preparation to make room for the veneers. A thin layer of the front part of the teeth is trimmed out.

The dentist will take a cast of these reshaped teeth to make the permanent veneers. It can take a few weeks to get the veneers back, therefore, the dentist will cover the teeth with temporary veneers to protect them from sensitivity.

In the second dental visit, the dentist will remove and replace the temporary shells with the permanent ones. The teeth are cleaned and conditioned to make it easy for the veneers to stick. A special block of cement is used to hold the veneers in place and hardened with laser light.

• The bonding process

Dental bonding takes one dental visit and can last for 30 minutes. The dentist will begin the process with examination and cleaning. Local anesthesia is not usually used unless you have decay or the affected tooth is close to the nerve.

The teeth need a little preparation before the bonding process. The dentist will apply a conditioning liquid on the teeth to roughen them and make it easy for the material to bond.

The dentist will apply the resin material to the teeth and harden them with light.

3. Cost

The porcelain veneers are more expensive than the composite resin material. This is because they are tooth-colored and durable, lasting for about ten years.

Bonded teeth can last between five and seven years.

Which One Should You Choose?

The dentist will opt for veneers if you have severe dental imperfections. However, it is worth mentioning that the reshaping of the teeth is irreversible, so make sure you have discussed your options on the available options.

Dental bonding does not require teeth trimming and is done in about half an hour. However, the resin material is not as strong. It is prone to cracking and chipping and as such, the dentist uses bonding as a short-term treatment to fix minor imperfections.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit North County Dental Group for an assessment and more information about dental veneers and bonding.