Improving your smile and maintaining good oral health often requires going beyond your daily dental hygiene habits. While your teeth may be strong, a number of things can interfere, such as surface stains, chips, or cracks, or perhaps they are uneven or misshapen. To create the smile you want to share with confidence, then, you’ll need to consider what options are available to help.
Fortunately, there are several such options today to help improve your smile, and two of these are dental bonding and veneers. These cosmetic dentistry procedures differ, and the one you choose will be based on a number of factors, including your current oral health and personal preferences.
What is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding involves the process of applying a pliable resin to the surface of one or more teeth. This resin is tooth-colored, chosen to closely match the surrounding teeth, and it is highly durable.
Your dentist will prepare the tooth by slightly roughing the surface and applying a conditioner. The resin is then situated on top and shaped.
Once this resin hardens on the tooth’s surface with the help of a high-intensity curing light, your dentist will reshape or make adjustments to it before polishing. The entire procedure is quick and simple, completed in just one visit, and the results can be stunning.
Dental bonding is ideal for minor imperfections and can last 3-10 years usually before needing replacement.
What is a Veneer?
A veneer is a fine, shell-like cover, usually made of porcelain. It is attached to the surface of your tooth and provides a natural, realistic appearance to blend in with your other teeth and enhance your smile.
Porcelain veneers are made to fit the shape of your current tooth or reshape it to match with the adjacent teeth. They must be custom-made by a dental lab using dental impressions taken by your dentist.
The procedure begins with your dentist preparing each tooth by removing parts of the surface to help the veneer fit tightly. Next, there is an application of a strong dental adhesive to the prepared tooth surface, followed by the placing of the veneer. You will most likely need more than one appointment to complete the entire procedure.
Veneers create a long-lasting, natural look that easily blends in with the rest of your teeth. They are most beneficial for patients requiring significant treatments to enhance their smile and are usually a good option for those with severe staining and discoloration, cracks or chips, large gaps or spaces between teeth, mild crookedness, overlapping, or worn-down tooth enamel.
Is Dental Bonding Better than Veneers?
While both dental bonding and veneers are viable options for many patients, one is not necessarily better than the other. However, there are certain situations where dental bonding may be a better option for you. Much will depend on what you wish to accomplish and how involved you want the cosmetic procedure to be.
To start, consider what dental problems you currently have. If they are relatively minor and do not require extensive procedures or treatments, dental bonding can be a better choice. Choose this option if you are looking to do any of the following:
- Mask discolored teeth and improve the appearance of teeth in the smile zone
- Close smaller gaps or spaces between teeth
- Improve the length or shape of teeth to even out your smile
- Repair slightly cracked or chipped teeth
- Cover exposed areas of the tooth due to a receding gum line (as a way of protecting these exposed tooth areas)
The advantages of going with dental bonding over veneers include the following.
- The dental bonding procedure only needs one appointment to complete.
- The procedure itself is simple and minimally invasive.
- You are less likely to have to undergo anesthesia for the procedure.
- Little preparation of the tooth is required.
- Dental bonding is less costly than veneers or other cosmetic procedures.
- Its application only requires a short healing period, so no scheduled down time is necessary.
- The bonding is entirely reversible if you choose to go with another option, such as veneers, later on.
While all these advantages exist, deciding to go with dental bonding will ultimately depend on your personal preferences, individual dental health, and budget. You will need to care for the dental bondings much like your natural teeth so that they last as long as possible. However, at some point, you will need a touch-up or replacement since they do not last forever.
Schedule an Appointment with Linworth Family Dental Today
To learn more about how to enhance your smile and whether dental bonding is a good option for you, schedule a consultation with the professional team here at Linworth Family Dental. We go the extra mile in providing quality care to our patients and will help you find the right solution for your individual circumstances. Call us today at 614-635-7434 or request an appointment using our online contact form.