There are many unique advantages to choosing veneers or dental bonding to cover your tooth damage or imperfections. Whether it is chipped, cracked, or stained teeth, or even small gaps or minor misalignment, these two forms of cosmetic dentistry can have a dramatically positive impact on your aesthetics and oral health. But which one is the right option for your current needs? Read on to discover the benefits of each and how to know which will give you desirable results.
What is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is a minimally invasive form of cosmetic treatment that is used to cover minor imperfections that exist on teeth.
It requires the use of composite resin, which is a malleable solution consisting of ultra-fine plastic and glass particles, and it is capable of being color-matched to a person’s natural tooth shade. This makes it easy to apply and blend in to create a more visually pleasing aesthetic.
The process takes only one visit to the dentist’s office and does not require that any enamel be removed from the tooth’s surface before application. Instead, the dentist places the composite resin onto the enamel and shapes it into place before using a curing light to harden the material. With a final polish, the flaw is properly covered, and a person’s smile appears new and improved.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are more complex because while they still only cover the front surfaces of imperfect teeth (i.e., those affected by stains, chips, cracks, gaps, etc.), they must be crafted in a dental lab by technicians. This means they take longer to receive but often last much longer than dental bonding.
Veneers are placed onto the front-facing surfaces of teeth and effectively conceal imperfections of all kinds. They do, however, require that a small portion of tooth enamel be removed from each treated tooth so that they can properly adhere to the tooth’s surface.
The entire process can take two visits, but veneers are known to last 10-15 years with proper maintenance and care.
How Can You Know Which One is Right for Your Smile?
There are countless benefits a person can expect when receiving veneers or dental bonding, so ultimately, no matter which choice is made, beautiful results will still be achieved.
However, if one is still unsure, a scheduled consultation with a cosmetic dentist is always a good place to start. Typically, more serious and visible imperfections are best concealed with the help of veneers, while dental bonding can cover minor flaws.
If budget is a concern, though, dental bonding will often be more affordable, as it doesn’t require the help of a dental lab and skilled technicians, and there are no restorations to be created.
No matter if veneers or dental bonding is the preferred choice, a beautiful, flawless smile will be the result. Working with a trusted professional, though, will ensure that each step of the process remains safe, comfortable, and produces the kind of smile a patient wants to attain.
About the Author
Dr. Marc Thomas has decades of proven experience in the field of dentistry and is pleased to help lead the team at Vista Dental Care. Offering cosmetic dental treatments to patients who desire a flawless smile, he can eliminate imperfections with the help of customized veneers or quick dental bonding. His artistic skill can produce beautiful results every time, so if you need help to choose which service is right for you, visit our website or call (775) 525-3429 to learn how we can help.