Ultrathin dental veneers and dental bonding are popular cosmetic options that can offer significant changes in the way your smile looks in just a couple of dental visits. But are veneers better than dental bonding? In this article, we compare these procedures and discuss their advantages and disadvantages to help you make an informed choice.
Are Veneers Better than Dental Bonding?
Dental veneers and bonding are cosmetic procedures used to mask imperfections or repair minor tooth damage. Cases when your cosmetic dentist might offer bonding or veneers include:
- Stains on the teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Minor gaps between the teeth
- Teeth of uneven length or shape
- Minor chips or cracks in the teeth
Veneers can indeed offer an immediate transformation to the way your smile looks, while changes offered by bonding might be more subtle. However, it does not mean that veneers are always better than bonding. Even though both methods can solve similar issues, the procedures have a number of significant differences that can influence the choice in your particular case.
Let us look at both methods and their pros and cons in more detail.
Pros and Cons of Dental Bonding
The biggest advantage of dental bonding is that it is a conservative, minimally invasive method that requires less tooth preparation and enamel removal than veneers. Dental bonding uses a resin composite, which is applied only to those parts of your teeth that require alteration. Also, dental bonding tends to cost much less than dental veneers.
The disadvantages of dental bonding include:
- Resin composite might stain over time if you are not careful with your diet
- Bonding is generally considered less durable than porcelain veneers and typically has to be replaced every 5 to 7 years.
In conclusion, if you require alterations to some of your teeth, value preserving your natural enamel, and are not looking for a full smile makeover, dental bonding may be a better option than veneers.
Pros and Cons of Dental Veneers
Even though veneers can look stunning, they have one significant disadvantage for some people. In comparison to dental bonding, a veneer is applied to the entire front side of a tooth, making it necessary to remove some of the tooth’s natural enamel, so that the veneer can fit among other teeth. This process makes veneers an irreversible procedure, as our teeth can not survive without their enamel.
Thus, once you get veneers, you will have to wear them for the rest of your life or replace them with dental crowns. This commitment also entails regular financial expenditure, as you will have to replace your veneers every 10 to 12 years. Also, veneers can be expensive, costing up to 3000 dollars per tooth.
However, the advantages of dental veneers include:
- Porcelain veneers are more stain-resistant than bonding (but resin composite veneers will not have this advantage)
- Porcelain veneers tend to be more durable than bonding
- Veneers have the potential to mask more extensive cosmetic imperfections than bonding.
Veneers can be a better choice for you compared to bonding if you require more extensive adjustments or a full smile makeover and are prepared for the life-long commitment the procedure entails.
Make an Appointment at OC Dental Specialists
If you are considering a cosmetic procedure, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced dentist at OC Dental Specialists. At our office, we offer a variety of methods to help you achieve your cosmetic goals and preserve your oral health. We are looking forward to your visit.