If you want to improve your pearly whites, you won’t go wrong with cosmetic dentistry. The latter field can whiten, brighten, and even align your smile to make it more beautiful! In particular, its porcelain veneer bonding and dental bonding treatments can fix various tooth issues. That said, you might not know which to choose. After all, which would be better for you and your teeth? Thankfully, your Gainesville dentists are here to help. Read on to learn three factors involved in the difference between veneers and bonding.
The Severity of Your Tooth Damage
While veneers and bonding address many of the same cosmetic issues, the treatments work best for different levels of tooth damage.
A patient, for instance, might want to get veneers if they have severe problems. The procedure applies thin ceramic to the fronts of teeth, so it covers more of your enamel. Furthermore, its porcelain is protective and can help tooth sensitivity.
On the other hand, bonding is best for minor work. If you only have slight tooth stains or a small chip, the treatment’s resin can hide them quite well.
Your Treatment Budget
Another factor is how much you can spend, as veneers and bonding have different prices.
Veneers are the more expensive of the two. Unlike bonding, they rely on high-quality porcelain that’s durable and stain-resistant. Given these features, the ceramic layers have a higher cost.
Dental bonding, in contrast, is always cheaper than veneers. Its resin isn’t of the same quality as porcelain, nor is it resistant to staining. As such, patients who get it need more cosmetic procedures to keep their teeth white.
How Long You Need Results to Last
Lastly, you’ll also want to consider treatment lifespan.
Since porcelain veneers are durable, stain-resistant, and even decay-resistant, they usually last a while. With proper care, their lifespan can reach over fifteen years.
Bonding, meanwhile, isn’t long-lasting. As mentioned before, the treatment can stain over time. Consequently, it’s only effective for about three to five years.
Ultimately, both veneers and bonding could probably help your teeth. However, which would better help you will depend on the situation. Talk to your local dentist for an informed recommendation.
About the Authors
Drs. Art & Kim Mowery are husband-and-wife dentists in Gainesville, FL, each having earned their DMDs from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. The former is a member of the International Team for Implantology and the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. The latter, meanwhile, is a leader in cosmetic dentistry and certified in Invisalign Orthodontics. Working together, they make smiles cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful. Both of them practice at Exceptional Dentistry and are reachable on their website and by phone at (352)-332-6725.
