Both teeth bonding and porcelain veneers are popular dental restorations. They’re also both ideal to fix a wide variety of cosmetic dental concerns. But which option is the best option for you? At Claremont Dental Institute, we offer personalized treatment plans to guarantee the best option for your smile. Learn more about what these two services have to offer.
The Teeth Bonding Process
Teeth bonding is done with a color-matched biocompatible resin. It’s moldable and malleable so that it fits your tooth and corrects whatever dental problems you have. Once you’re happy with the placement, the material is hardened with a specialized light. We polish it to a natural sheen to blend in with the rest of your smile. This is all done in one visit to our office.
Getting Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers have a bit of a longer process. It takes 2-3 visits for you to get your restoration. To start, we remove a small amount of tooth structure to allow the veneers to lay flush with the rest of your teeth. We take impressions so that the lab can create your veneers. You wear a temporary restoration while your veneers are being made.
When the veneers are ready in about 2-3 weeks, you’ll come back into our office. We’ll fit the veneers to make sure everything looks good. We make any necessary small adjustments. When you’re satisfied, we permanently bond the veneers to your teeth.
How Long Do They Last?
Dental bonding is a temporary restoration, while porcelain veneers are permanent. Bonding is one of the only dental treatments that are completely removable and reversible. However, it’s still a durable treatment option. When properly taken care of, bonding can last up to ten years. Touch-ups are easy.
When you have porcelain veneers, they’re a lifetime restoration. Once you get veneers, you’ll always have to have some sort of restoration. Typically, a set of porcelain veneers can last up to 15 years or longer. They’re durable and stain-resistant but can still chip or become discolored. Veneers don’t respond to whitening treatments. Replacement is the only option for damaged veneers.
What Can They Treat?
Both bonding and veneers can treat similar problems. They can take care of chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. If your teeth don’t respond to traditional professional whitening techniques, either of these can be the solution. They can also treat gaps between teeth, crooked teeth that don’t harm your bite, and any misshapen teeth.
Which is Right For Me?
Because tooth bonding is temporary, it’s one of the most cost-effective dental treatments out there. It’s also one that’s eligible for almost anyone. Even children can get dental bonding because it’s not permanent. If you want to try out what a restoration would look like or aren’t ready to get something permanent, dental bonding might be the right choice.
While porcelain veneers are more expensive, they’re also more durable. This is the way to go if you’re looking for a permanent restoration that you don’t have to worry about. They both look and feel like natural teeth, and your gums respond well to them. Veneers don’t really require any extra maintenance, either, even with their long life.
Schedule a Cosmetic Consultation
Do you think that veneers or bonding could be the right choice for your cosmetic dental problem? Call us or schedule an appointment online today to get started with your personalized treatment plan.