If you’re considering cosmetic dentistry to enhance your smile, you may be caught off guard by the many options available to you. Like many others, you’re probably stuck between dental bonding and veneers. However, many people don’t know the difference between veneers and bonding. To learn which factors will most likely influence your decision, consider the following post from a cosmetic dentist!
Severity of Your Dental Damage
You’ll first need to consider all the aspects about your smile that you’d like to address. For example, if you have permanent stains that teeth whitening cannot resolve, gaps in between your teeth, or noticeable chips or cracks, you’re likely a candidate for both treatments. With that said, veneers and bonding have their own unique benefits.
For example, veneers are generally longer-lasting and less porous than bonding. This means that you’ll need to replace them less often than bonding material and they are more stain-proof due to their smooth surface. However, you may only need a little bonding to address your concerns and therefore can save money. A cosmetic dentist will be able to provide additional guidance following an exam and X-rays of your smile.
Budget
It should be noted that veneers are largely considered to be one of the most expensive forms of cosmetic dentistry out there. This is because the restorations are highly personalized to not only look natural, but be durable for many years. In contrast, bonding uses composite resin, a much cheaper material. If your smile goals are less complex, you may be able to get away with only needing bonding to achieve your ideal appearance. With that said, bonding will not last as long as ceramic restorations.
Timeline
Perhaps one of the biggest differences between veneers and bonding is the time it takes to receive each treatment. Since bonding makes use of easily available composite resin that can be molded onto teeth immediately, there’s no need to work with a dental lab (or even design and fabricate a restoration to begin with.) This makes it a reasonable option for those who either don’t want to wait to enhance their smile or simply don’t have time.
Due to the customization that comes with veneers, it can take as long as two weeks to produce and place them. This also means two appointments will be needed, while bonding only takes one in most cases.
Complete a Cosmetic Consultation
Additionally, it’s worth keeping the dentist’s expertise in mind. The person you receive general checkups and cleanings from may not be the same person who performs your smile makeover. Don’t be afraid to ask the dentist for previous examples of their cosmetic dentistry or their experience within the field. This is especially important if they only have experience performing one treatment over the other.
With proper planning, you can achieve a smile you’ve always dreamed of having! Start your smile makeover today by getting in touch with a cosmetic dentist!
About Pearl Dentistry
Dr. Walker and Dr. Pooler love helping patients achieve their smile goals, whether it’s for their long-term oral health or their future cosmetic makeover. Rated one of Denver’s top dentists by 5280 Magazine, you’re sure to be impressed by Dr. Walker’s artistic knack and perfectionism in her esthetic treatments.