Even though your teeth are healthy, perhaps there are certain aspects of your smile that you aren’t happy with. Maybe your teeth have acquired stains over the years, they’re slightly crooked, or you deal with sensitivity.
Interested in cosmetic dentistry? It’s a popular way to close gaps, cover stains, and improve the durability of your teeth. To give you a clearer idea of your options, we’ve outlined the differences between two common procedures: dental bonding and veneers.
What is Dental Bonding?
When we have a cavity or hole in our teeth, fillings are used to close the gap. The same principle applies to dental bonding.
A tooth that’s chipped or broken can be repaired using dental bonding. It’s applied in layers and cured with a hardening light. Appointments typically take one hour and cost significantly less than veneers.
However, dental bonding is not very effective at preventing stains; it’s susceptible to wine and coffee stains, just like real teeth. The composite resin is colour-matched to the shade of your natural teeth. It’s meant to blend in with your surrounding teeth rather than transform your smile completely.
If your teeth need a minor fix, dental bonding is an effective solution. It’s quick, affordable, and won’t make permanent changes to your teeth. No enamel is removed before applying the composite resin. But for more restorative or cosmetic work, you may want to consider porcelain veneers.
What are Veneers?
Have you ever seen someone with a perfect, dazzlingly white smile? It could be natural, but it also could be porcelain veneers.
Veneers are like shields for your teeth. They are thin shells that attach to the front of the teeth. Porcelain veneers make your smile straighter, whiter, and stronger.
A thin layer of enamel is removed so that the veneers adhere properly to your teeth. This strong bond is what allows veneers to stay in place for up to 15 years.
Once the teeth are prepared, the dentist will apply temporary veneers. The permanent ones will be created in a lab. When they’re ready, they’ll be attached to your teeth to add length, fill gaps, and fix misshapen grooves.
This procedure is irreversible; patients with veneers should expect to maintain them for the rest of their lives. However, it’s something you’ll notice each time you smile. If your teeth are sensitive, the veneers will cover exposed nerves and prevent pain when you eat or drink hot/cold beverages.
Advantages of Veneers
Not sure whether you should invest in dental bonding or veneers? Consider these pros and cons:
Veneers are more resistant to stains.
The porcelain used to create veneers is tough, meaning that it holds up against staining from beverages, smoking, and certain medications. The same cannot be said of composite resin.
Dental bonding doesn’t last as long.
Porcelain veneers are more durable than composite resin. Teeth that are treated with dental bonding can be chipped if the patient bites their nails or grinds their teeth.
Even though porcelain veneers are more expensive than dental bonding, the cost of frequently replacing the composite resin adds up over the years.
Veneers can completely transform your smile.
Veneers can shape your teeth into the perfect smile you’ve always dreamed of. You can purchase 6 or 8 to cover the front teeth that always show when you laugh, eat, and smile.
Are veneers the right choice for you? East Kildonan Dental Group offers porcelain veneers in Winnipeg. Get in touch with us today to set up a consultation, and we’ll determine if you’re a good candidate for veneers.