Cosmetic dentistry has developed a variety of treatments to address stains, misalignment, and chipped teeth, as well as other minor grin flaws that can make you feel self-conscious about smiling. We narrow down cosmetic solutions to two treatments: teeth bonding vs veneers.
There’s a lot of information out there that can give you the wrong understanding of both treatments, which can put you off having these treatments. Therefore, getting the right understanding from professionals will ensure you’ve got the right source of information.
So, to assist you in making the best decision between teeth bonding vs veneers, we’ve broken down the important variables that indicate which option is ideal for you, including the pros and cons of each.
What Is Tooth Bonding?
Teeth bonding is a procedure in which the dentist applies and hardens a composite resin material to the damaged area of the teeth. The tooth will ‘bind’ and return to its natural position.
Dental bonding is required for a variety of reasons, in addition to any chips or cracks:
- Deeply discoloured teeth cannot be removed with a toothbrush.
- Your teeth are starting to show gaps between them.
- Because your teeth are too short, you want them to appear longer
- To hide areas of the tooth root that have become visible due to gum disease
Tooth Bonding Treatment
As part of the treatment, the dentist will discuss the composite resin colour that comes closest to matching the hue tone of your natural teeth. The bonding, also known as a shade guide, matches your sparkling whites perfectly.
The next step is to ‘toughen’ the tooth’s surface by applying a liquid to guarantee that the bonding agent sticks to the tooth. The composite resin is then poured into the liquid, and the tooth is shaped and hardened with ultraviolet light.
The tooth is polished and shined to complete the treatment. Treatments for tooth bonding usually take 30 to 60 minutes.
What Are Dental Veneers And How Does It Work?
Two separate materials are popularly performed: porcelain and composite.
Porcelain veneers are thin, tooth-coloured porcelain shell that is attached (or bonded) to the front surface of your teeth and matches your smile’s colour and tone. For the veneer to attach to the natural tooth, the dentist will need to remove a small bit of enamel. Porcelain veneers are long-lasting, stain-resistant, and improve the appearance of your smile while protecting your natural teeth from further harm.
Composite veneers, a resin material put directly to your teeth without removing any enamel, are another economical option. Composite veneers do not cover all of your teeth; rather, they conceal minor flaws such as cracks and chips.
What Are The Pros and Cons Of Teeth bonding vs veneers?
To take a closer look at which treatment may benefit you, below outlines some of the pros and cons to be aware of.
Veneers Cost More Than Bonding
Dental veneers are more expensive per tooth than tooth bonding. The average cost of veneers for a single tooth typically starts from $1300 for porcelain veneers and $500 for composite veneers. On average, expect costs to start from $250 a tooth for dental bonding.
You Can Get Faster Results With Bonding
Teeth bonding is a smoother, faster procedure that may usually be finished in one visit. After just one appointment, tooth bonding produces rapid results. Multiple appointments are required for veneers, especially for porcelain. The initial appointment entails taking an impression of your tooth and determining the correct veneer shade. Until your permanent veneers are available, the dentist will provide temporary veneers. The veneers would subsequently be permanently glued during a second session. Veneers must be shaped and moulded in a laboratory to ensure that they perfectly match the smile you desire. Therefore, multiple appointments are needed.
Tooth Bonding Doesn’t Get Rid Of Stains
Dental veneers are long-lasting and stain-resistant, whereas tooth bonding treatment is more prone to cause stains. To avoid it, make sure you maintain regular oral hygiene to keep your teeth clean and white.
Tooth Bonding May Require You To Return To The Dentist
If you’ve had an accident, this can shorten the lifespan of tooth bonding. Damaged tooth bonding is uncomfortable and would therefore need to be replaced. This may also be the case for dental veneers. However, the bonding material is more delicate. Therefore, extra care is necessary to keep your smile.
Veneers Look More Natural
Dental veneers are considered more translucent and natural-looking compared to bonding. Whilst both are designed to restore your smile, veneers are custom-fabricated, meaning they’re more likely to match what your natural teeth look like. Slight imperfections with bonding are likely to be visible.
Which Should I Choose Out of Teeth bonding vs veneers?
Now that we’ve examined some of the distinctions, it’s time to decide between teeth bonding vs veneers. The level of treatment you require will determine which option is ideal but also the level of work required for your teeth and gums. Small chips and cracks, for example, can be repaired with tooth bonding, but if you want a complete smile makeover and your chips, cracks, and alignment are more serious, dental veneers are an option.
