Cosmetic dentistry focuses on correcting a distracting and unsightly chip or gap in your mouth and enhancing your appearance so you can smile without feeling conscious of how you look. Teeth bonding and veneers take care of stains, misalignment, chipped teeth, as well as other minor flaws to fix common smile concerns. At Broadway Family Dental, Dr. Ella Dekhtyar explains how bonding and veneers work and which would work best for you. She examines your teeth carefully to determine which dental procedure is most suitable for your specific cosmetic needs and delivers the most satisfying results.
If you are considering teeth bonding vs. veneers, it is essential to find out which is a better choice for you as they share some similarities. Both these processes address common cosmetic issues, including cracks, discoloration, chips, and gaps. No matter which one you choose, you will be happy with your improved and confident smile and better-looking teeth.
If you choose teeth bonding, the dentist will apply a resin to the surface of the teeth and cure it with a special light. In contrast, veneers are thin, customized restorations bonded to the front surface of the teeth. Each dental treatment can be an ideal choice for you, given the condition of your teeth and the type of correction you seek.
Read on to learn what you didn’t know about dental bonding vs. veneers and which may be right for you.
What Is Teeth Bonding?
Bonding is a great option when you want to repair a chip on the tooth or add minor length when the rest of your smile and teeth are in good condition.
Also known as cosmetic bonding, teeth bonding is a procedure in which the dentist applies and hardens a composite resin material to the damaged area or surface of the teeth. The tooth will ‘bind’ and return to its natural position. Bonding is usually done to fill cavities and make them look good again.
Your dentist may recommend dental bonding for several reasons:
- To fill chips and cracks in the teeth
- To hide tooth discoloration or staining
- To make short teeth appear longer
- To fill the gaps between teeth
- To hide areas of the tooth root that have become visible due to gum disease
Bonding is a simple, safe, non-invasive, and reliable dental treatment that helps correct and improve the natural look and shape of your teeth. It can fix many imperfections and concerns without causing any pain.
It uses composite resin, which can be color-matched to blend with the natural teeth in your mouth. The dentist will prepare the tooth surface with an etching liquid before applying the bonding material. After that, they will position and shape the bonding material. During the final step, they harden it with special light to meet your specific cosmetic needs and make any small adjustments if needed.
How It Works?
Bonding uses tooth-colored resin that is molded over the surface of the tooth to eliminate discoloration while it fills in and smooths out wear and tear caused by time or other elements.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Tooth Bonding?
Dental bonding is the right option if you have minor cosmetic blemishes, such as cracks and discoloration. The dentist will use the bonding material to rebuild your tooth after it is damaged to fill minor cavities, gaps, chips, and cracks or correct misshapen teeth.
Benefits of Teeth Bonding
Teeth bonding serves multiple purposes. It can act both as a medical and cosmetic procedure, depending on your specific dental needs. It can improve the overall appearance of your teeth and also cover exposed tooth roots that often result from gum recession.
The best thing about bonding is that it requires very little or no preparation beforehand. There is no need to remove enamel or file down your tooth, as the material is applied almost like thick paint or putty to the teeth and thus can be kept very thin. This makes it less invasive than other restorative procedures.
In addition to this, bonding is a quicker and more affordable option. Your dentist may be able to complete dental bonding in one visit as it is an extremely easy procedure and helps you save time, money, and repeated visits to the dentist’s office.
Downsides of Teeth Bonding
The main downside of dental bonding is that it does not look as natural as veneers. This means you must maintain strict teeth cleaning routine to ensure the resin does not stain and begin to look ugly.
Also, bonding cannot be whitened with tooth whitening as natural teeth do. Thus, it may need replacement after a few years when it becomes stained or discolored. Teeth bonding is not as strong as regular teeth. You will have to avoid chewing on hard or sticky objects to prevent damage to bonding and ensure it lasts long.
The Dental Bonding Procedure
Here is what you will go through when you go through the bonding procedure:
Tooth Preparation
Your dentist will first prepare the teeth for dental bonding and clean them. They will use a shade guide to choose the composite resin material that matches the color of your natural teeth.
The dentist will also roughen the tooth’s surface and apply a conditioning liquid. It helps the resin bond to the tooth better.
Applying Resin
Once the tooth is prepared, the dentist applies the resin onto the tooth and shapes it. When the resin is in the right shape, a special light is used to harden the material.
Polishing the Tooth
Once it has hardened, the newly bonded tooth is polished to give it a natural appearance and resume functionality.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin porcelain shells that help cover the front of the teeth. They are ideal for gaps and correcting the appearance of crooked, misshapen, or stained teeth and address the shape, size, and color of your tooth with little or no damage to the original tooth structure. However, this procedure takes more time and requires removing some tooth enamel and reshaping.
Veneers are long-lasting, stain resistant, and protect your natural teeth from further harm once they are bonded to the front surface of your teeth.
The dentist will take preliminary impressions of your teeth and use them to make customized porcelain veneers for each tooth. While these veneers are prepared, your dentist will put on temporary ones. Once the customized porcelain veneers are ready, he will replace them with permanent ones. Dental adhesives are used to seal the veneers to your teeth. Your dentist may remove a small part of your tooth to ensure the veneers fit securely and give a smooth and even appearance.
Veneers can also be made from composite resin material that is put directly onto the teeth without removing any enamel. Composite veneers do not cover all the teeth, they only conceal minor flaws such as cracks and chips and help to change the appearance of your smile.
How Do They Work?
Veneers cover the stains on your teeth and other slight flaws and imperfections. They are customized to widen and elongate teeth for a more uniform smile and can be made as thin as contact lenses. The dentist files down the teeth to make room for veneers. It helps the veneers bond really well to the teeth and stay in place for a long time.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Veneers?
Veneers may be the best option if you are looking for a long-lasting, reliable cosmetic solution that enables you to smile without any fear of showing your gapped, chipped, or stained teeth. With veneers, you can get amazing results that look natural.
Due to their natural appearance, it becomes almost impossible to tell if someone is wearing veneers.
Benefits of Veneers
Veneers are long-lasting and they look incredibly natural which makes them an excellent choice for people who want to restore their smile. Also, they are resistant to changes in appearance over time and protect teeth from various types of stains that result from pigmented beverages and smoking. You don’t have to worry about them changing color over time and replacing them because they don’t look as good.
Their durability and ability to improve more than one aspect of your teeth make veneers a great cosmetic investment. Depending on your smile goals, you can go for veneers and cover your injured, chipped, misshapen, or discolored tooth or cover multiple gapped teeth to create a healthy, beautiful smile that does not fade. They can last for decades with proper oral care.
Drawbacks of Veneers
The only drawback of veneers is that your dentist will have to prepare your teeth before they can be applied. Some tooth enamel has to be removed to cement the veneers securely. Veneers are more expensive, so you must think about this option twice before making up your mind. Once they are on, they are on for life. They are irreversible and require a full-time commitment.
The Process of Getting Veneers
Getting veneers involves a few steps. They are:
Consultation With a Dentist
You will have to schedule an appointment with your dentist to find out the number of veneers you require. The dentist will take x-rays of your teeth to check their health and look for indications of missing teeth, cavities, gum disease, or a need for a root canal treatment. In case of any of these problems, veneers may not be a good idea for you.
Tooth Preparation
If your dentist considers you a good candidate for veneers, they will explain the process and prepare your tooth. Depending on the type of veneers you have chosen, your dentist may need to remove a small amount of surface tooth enamel to make room for restoration. Low-prep options are also available for patients requiring little to no enamel removal. Once your teeth are repaired, the dentist will take a digital scan to begin the smile design process.
Temporary Veneers Placement
The dentist will place a temporary porcelain veneer to protect your smile until the final restoration is ready to be placed on your teeth.
Final Placement of Veneers
When your dental veneers are ready, your dentist will call you to the office for placement. The dentist will first remove the temporary veneers that were applied. Then, the new, permanent veneers are carefully cemented to your teeth. The dentist may apply a local anesthetic to the treatment area to ensure you remain comfortable during the process.
If the veneers fit perfectly and you are satisfied with how they look and feel, the dentist will polish your teeth. They may make some adjustments to ensure your new bite fits together naturally.
Teeth Bonding vs. Veneers – What’s the Difference
Although teeth bonding and porcelain veneers are excellent options to address your cosmetic concerns, they have significant differences if you take a detailed look. If you want to correct a single tooth or fix a tiny chip, bonding may be most suitable. However, if you want to transform your smile, veneers are a better option as they cover the entire tooth.
The best way to determine which one of these is the right choice is by considering the problem that needs to be corrected. Your dentist knows where to place bonding or a veneer where it will not be visible or cause problems.
Here are some conditions where teeth bonding may not be most suitable:
- Severe discoloration and stains
- Cracked and chipped teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Large gaps
- Eroding teeth
Bonding may repair small chips and cracks, but if you want a complete makeover and your chips, cracks, and alignment are more serious, it requires veneers.
Teeth Bonding vs. Veneers – Which Is the Best Option?
Veneers and bonding are similar treatments. They improve the look of your teeth and help you smile better. Your choice of treatment will depend on different factors, such as your specific situation and needs. The dentist can help you make a wise decision depending on what you are looking for.
Cost
Bonding is less expensive than porcelain veneers. While bonding can typically cost between $100 and $500, veneers can cost anywhere from $800-1200+ per tooth. The long-lasting beauty and durability of veneers make them a better choice.
Time
Bonding can be completed in a single visit and is a smoother and faster process. On the other hand, it may take two or more dental visits to put veneers, particularly porcelain veneers, as the dentist needs to remove some enamel and shape the tooth.
Maintenance
Caring for your dental bonding and veneers requires a proper oral hygiene routine. Avoid activities that may break or damage the bonding material or porcelain, such as playing sports without a mouth guard.
Dental veneers and bonding offer you a chance to show your beautiful smile to the world without worrying how long they will last or if they will retain their looks. Both treatments give you pearly white teeth that transform your appearance so you can look and feel more confident and appealing. Call Broadway Family Dental today and schedule an appointment with Dr. Ella Dekhtyar to find out what bonding and veneers can do for your teeth. With her expertise and experience, Dr. Dekhtyar can turn your full, awkward, or uneven smile into a brighter and more appealing one and give you the confidence boost you need to excel in life.
Broadway Family Dental
1152 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY 11221
(Bushwick, Williamsburg, Bedford-Stuyvesant)
(718) 455-4400