Are you looking to improve the appearance of your teeth? Modern dentistry offers several ways to enhance the way your smile looks. Many patients choose either dental bonding or porcelain veneers to disguise flaws in their teeth. Both treatments can produce stunning results, but you may wonder which is better. In this blog post, we discuss the pros and cons of each. Then, you will be in a better position to choose the treatment that is the best fit for your circumstances and preferences.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding, which is sometimes called direct bonding, involves applying a special tooth-colored resin to the teeth. A dentist shapes the resin in a way that allows it to hide imperfections in the teeth, such as stains, chips, or cracks.
Some advantages of dental bonding include:
- The procedure is fast, taking less than an hour in most cases
- Minimal tooth preparation is necessary
- Bonding is a relatively affordable cosmetic treatment
The primary disadvantage of dental bonding is that the resin is not as durable nor as stain-resistant as porcelain. Therefore, the procedure’s results may last for only a few years before it is necessary to replace the bonding.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are custom-designed pieces of porcelain that your dentist can attach to the fronts of your teeth with the goal of hiding their flaws. It is the cosmetic dentistry treatment of choice for many celebrities. Veneers can be designed and placed in as few as two dental appointments.
Some outstanding benefits of porcelain veneers include:
- Porcelain is nonporous, a fact that makes it highly stain-resistant
- Porcelain is extremely durable and can stand up to all the rigors of everyday eating and drinking
- The veneers may last for well over a decade before replacement becomes necessary
Of course, porcelain veneers do have a few downsides. One is that they require the underlying tooth structure to be modified, which makes veneers a permanent commitment. Another is that they tend to present a higher upfront cost than other cosmetic dentistry treatments.
Making Your Choice
Your cosmetic dentist would be happy to help you decide between dental bonding and porcelain veneers. They will discuss the pros and cons of each choice with you and help you settle on one that best fits your goals. In general, dental bonding is the ideal choice if you want to improve the appearance of just one or two teeth, whereas porcelain veneers are better suited to people who want to totally transform their look.
Are you ready to bid farewell to the flaws in your teeth? Either dental bonding or porcelain veneers may be able to help you gain a more beautiful smile.
About the Author
Dr. Scott Beckerman is an experienced general and cosmetic dentist who has been with the Willow Run Dental Association team for more than 20 years. He enjoys all aspects of his profession, including helping people enjoy the confidence that comes with attractive teeth. If you would like to speak to Dr. Beckerman or another member of our team about our cosmetic services, contact our office at 207-783-0261.