Dental Bonding vs. Porcelain Veneers: Which Is Better for Me?
The team at our Harrisburg cosmetic dentistry center believes in finding the right treatment or combination of treatments for each patient. By custom tailoring dental care, patients can experience the wonders of a beautiful and healthy smile.
When it comes to cosmetic problems that affect a smile, dental bonding and porcelain veneers are generally most ideal. Let's take a moment to compare these treatment options so you understand which might be right for you.
About Dental Bonding
Also known as tooth bonding, dental bonding involves the use of a tooth-colored dental resin that is painted directly onto the surface of the teeth. The tooth is scuff just a bit to help the dentla bonding resin remain firmly in place. This dental resin is then carefully polished to blend in with the overall tooth structure. Once the treatment is completed, a treated tooth will look clean and pristine.
Ideal Uses for Dental Bonding
Some of the most common uses for dental bonding include the following:
- Minor chips
- Minor cracks
- Tooth discoloration
- Dental stains
- Small gaps between teeth
In short, minor cosmetic flaws that do not affect overall dental health are best treated with dental bonding.
About Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental ceramic that are designed to fit over the front portion of a tooth. With a porcelain veneer in place, the cosmetic flaw that affects a tooth is concealed from view, allowing patients to smile with renewed confidence. Since porcelain veneers are semi-transluscent, they are difficult to distinguish from natural tooth structure.
Ideal Uses for Porcelain Veneers
Some of the most common uses for porcelain veneers include the following:
- Minor chips
- Minor cracks
- Tooth discoloration
- Dental stains
- Gaps between teeth
- Tooth asymmetry
- Minor malocclusion
Like dental bonding, porcelain veneers are designed to address cosmetic flaws that do not affect overall dental health. Porcelain veneers are more versatile, however, just given their composition and nature.
When Bonding Is More Ideal Than Veneers
In many cases, dental bonding is most ideal when a person has a very minor cosmetic flaw that affects the appearance of their teeth. Dental bonding is non-invasive, meaning that little of the tooth structure is affected in order to achieve its results.
When Veneers Are More Ideal Than Bonding
Porcelain veneers are more ideal when a person has more serious dental problems that cannot be addressed sufficiently by dental bonding. The severity of the cosmetic flaw, in essence, determines if the use of porcelain veneers is better for a patient's needs.
Smile Makeovers: Combing Veneers and Bonding
Sometimes dental bonding or porcelain veneers alone are not enough. In these cases, a smile makeover may be best. Smile makeovers combine multiple cosmetic dentistry procedures in order to address various kinds of aesthetic flaws. By combining dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and other procedures, you can have a gorgeous smile.
Learn More About Cosmetic Dentistry Options
For more information about dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and how we can help you have an excellent smile, be sure to contact our advanced cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. We look forward to your visit and helping ensure your smile looks its very best.
