If you’re in search of the perfect smile, you may try over the counter products that promise a whiter smile. However, teeth stained by medicines or brown and/or gray in color cannot be whitened by these products. Similarly, teeth that have white spots or other spot discolorations won’t improve with the treatments you find in a drugstore. Cosmetic dentists offer some treatments that treat all of these conditions and more to create a better smile. So, you may be wondering what’s better for your perfect smile: veneers or bonding? Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of each.
Placing a veneer on a tooth involves putting a thin sheet of porcelain on the natural tooth. When this is done to several teeth (usually six to eight) it can give the appearance of a perfect smile, such as the ones you see on celebrities. Veneers allow your cosmetic dentist to change the shape, shade of color, and size of your tooth. Typically, veneers are made a in a dental laboratory. First, your dentist will design a treatment plan, which generally takes one-to-three appointments. Once the veneers are ready to be placed, you will meet with your dentist usually two-to-three times over a period of a couple of weeks or so. Some veneers can be placed directly on top of the un-touched natural tooth, but often this creates an undesired difference in thickness. In order to create the perfect smile, your dentist will likely prepare your natural tooth before placing the veneers. Veneers are great for patients whose smiles have been affected by cracked teeth, chipped teeth, those with bad stains or discoloration, mildly crooked teeth, and worn-down teeth. It is important to note that if teeth are too damaged or too crooked, orthodontics or crowns may be a better option. A crown will be undetectable placed next to a veneer, for example. Smiles that feature very crooked or very crowded teeth may need to have some orthodontic work done before veneers can enhance their smiles.
Dental bonding involves applying a substance to the front of your teeth that can be shaped and shaded to fix a tooth in need of some aesthetic enhancement. Dental bonding is good for teeth that are slightly discolored, chipped, cracked, or misshapen. Dental bonding can be done in fewer appointments, and if only a couple of a teeth are involved, the procedure may be cheaper since nothing needs to be made in a lab. When filling material is used, both medical repairs and cosmetic treatments can be achieved at the same time.
Because teeth need to be altered for veneers, they are considered a permanent change. This means that while they are stainless, they still may need to be replaced, typically by year 15. Veneers create a beautiful, natural smile, but they are more costly due to being lab created to simulate real teeth. Dental bonding is almost always a quicker procedure because of the lack of lab involvement. Also, dental bonding can be less expensive if only minimal cosmetic work is required. Unfortunately, dental bonding is not as strong as porcelain; therefore, it may need to be replaced within 10 years. Furthermore, the talent of your dentist really determines whether or not dental bonding will sufficiently fix your smile.
There are pros and cons to both procedures for making your smile “perfect.” Individuals should discuss their goals with their cosmetic dentist, and then go from there in choosing between these two procedures. Each one has the power to transform a smile. Your cosmetic dentist will be able to determine which procedure will bring you closest to your ideal smile. If you’re considering cosmetic dental work, contact Dynamic Dental Wellness to find out your options. We would love to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.
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