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In the realm of cosmetic dental care, several methods can be used to help patients alter the look of their smiles.
If you wish to alter the shape, colour, or overall appearance of your teeth, dental veneers or dental bonding may be an option. Both procedures can help conceal visible flaws in your teeth and may result in a more uniform smile.
What are dental veneers?
Veneers are very thin porcelain pieces that are bonded to the front layer of your teeth. They can lengthen, shape, and lighten your teeth. A single veneer can be applied to a single tooth, or a full set can be applied to multiple teeth to even out your smile.
Veneers are custom-made in a laboratory, fitted to your teeth, and colour-matched.
They are applied directly to the teeth, thickening them, and thus typically require the removal of a thin layer of enamel. Appointments are required for planning, but once completed, the process can frequently be completed in 2-3 visits.
Who could benefit from veneers?
You are a good candidate for veneers if you have:
- Severe stains and discolouration
- Cracked teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Large gaps in between your teeth
- Crooked teeth (mild to moderate)
- Teeth that overlap
- Worn teeth
Pros of Veneers
Veneers can be used to conceal cracks, stains, and irregularly shaped teeth, resulting in white, uniform smiles. Porcelain is stain-resistant and extremely strong, which makes it resistant to chipping and cracking.
Veneers are colour matched as closely as possible to your natural teeth. They are made to appear slightly translucent, just like natural teeth, and as a result, are quite realistic in appearance.
Cons of Veneers
Veneers are a long-term procedure. The enamel on the tooth is removed and replaced with porcelain, which is then bonded to the tooth's top layer. This means that the veneer process has permanently altered the tooth.
Veneers can also be somewhat costly. This is because they are custom-made and can often take more time and skill during preparation and placement.
What is dental bonding?
Dental bonding is an umbrella term that refers to all procedures that involve the application of white fillings to teeth. Bonding is used to alter the size, shape, and colour of a tooth for cosmetic purposes, similar to a porcelain veneer. Dental bonding can be used to repair individual teeth or to reconstruct an entire smile, all to achieve a uniform appearance.
Bonding may be a good option for those who wish to improve a minor dental irregularity. As with veneers, the dentist will match the bonding material to the adjacent teeth.
Who might benefit from dental bonding?
Dental bonding might be right for you if you have the following:
- Chips
- Cracks
- Minor stains
- Misshapen teeth
- Gaps
- Exposed roots from receding gums
Pros of Dental Bonding
Bonding is typically completed in a single appointment, making it significantly faster than the porcelain veneers process, which requires at least two appointments. When minimal to moderate cosmetic work is required, bonding is frequently less expensive than porcelain veneers.
If the bonding chips or breaks over time, it is typically quick and easy to repair. If taken care of properly, dental bonding can last for up to 10 years before it needs to be replaced.
Cons of Dental Bonding
One of the disadvantages to dental bonding is that it is not as strong as porcelain. It can chip more easily and is more porous, meaning it is more susceptible to staining.
The challenge of dental bonding is the aesthetic limitations of the material. It can be more difficult to mask very dark and discoloured teeth.
Additionally, while bonding a single or a few teeth is relatively simple, bonding an entire smile can be challenging. As a result, dental bonding can become almost as expensive as porcelain veneers, as it may require significantly more time and skill on the dentist's part.