If you have an imperfection in your smile you’d like to cover, you may be confused by the number of treatment options available.
At Portrait Dental, we are frequently questioned about whether veneers or bonding is a better solution for the issue a patient is facing.
Although every patient is unique, we follow a few basic guidelines when we advise them as to more appropriate choice. Here’s how to determine which is right for you.
Veneers are thin, ceramic shells that cover your entire tooth. They can easily hide discoloration, chips, or cracks, giving your teeth a clean, symmetrical look. You can get just one veneer for a single tooth, or if your smile needs more help, you can get multiple veneers to create a uniform look. The veneers will be custom-matched to your natural teeth in their color, shade, and appearance.
With bonding, your dentist will use dental bonding resin to repair minor imperfections, chips, and blemishes in your teeth. The resin fills in the gaps, and then your dentist can polish or shape the bonded spot as necessary.
When it’s time to decide which treatment to choose, consider these factors:
Your choice depends first on how much you want to change the appearance of your teeth. If you’re looking for a dramatic change in the shape, color, or overall appearance of your teeth so you have an upgraded smile, veneers are the way to go.
If, on the other hand, you just want to fix a minor chip, crack, or discoloration, bonding will do that while retaining the natural color and appearance of your teeth.
How much time do you have? If you need a quick fix (i.e. if you crack a tooth before an important event), bonding is a fast and minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that usually takes under an hour to complete.
Applying veneers takes at least two visits and a few weeks while a lab custom-makes the shells based on a mold your dentist will take of your teeth.
You should also consider the length of time each treatment will last. Veneers can last 10 years (or usually more), while bonding typically lasts anywhere from 3-10 years before it needs to be repeated.
How much you have to spend is an important factor as well. In general, veneers will cost more than bonding because the material (ceramic or porcelain) used is more expensive than the resin used in the bonding procedure. Veneers do last longer, so this higher cost will be offset over time; you’ll just have to determine which situation will work better for you.
If you need help improving your smile, the Portrait Dental team is here for you. To schedule an appointment, call our Katy, Texas office at 501-381-1621 or fill out our online appointment request form today!
