A healthy-looking smile can boost your confidence and make a great long-term impact.
However, not everyone has this. Broken, unaligned or coloured teeth can make your smile appear off and affect your self-confidence. Fortunately, 21st-century dental care has solutions that fix these issues, and two of the most common ones are veneers and bonding.
What Are Veneers and Bonding?
A thin layer of porcelain or composite resin (aka veneers) is locked to the front part of your teeth. Veneers essentially cover the holes, cracks or minor misalignments in your teeth. Getting veneers demands removing some enamel to keep the casting in place.
Bonding is a less invasive procedure that takes less time. A tooth-coloured resin is used directly on the tooth and shaped in the proper way. Once this is done, the resin is hardened with a special ultraviolet light. It is used to fix chips, holes or warped teeth.
Characteristics of Both Methods
Veneers have a shiny look that resembles the natural brightness of enamel and correct a number of defects like deep staining or irregularly-sized teeth. They have a longer lifespan, but fixing them is an intensive process since a thin layer of enamel needs to be filed away before the veneers can be placed.
Bonding is a more versatile cosmetic process. It can address chips, gaps and minor discolouration. It can also be used as a filling material for small cavities. Since the material is bent to the shape of the tooth with no need to take any enamel off, it is not a “destructive” process. If you later decide to remove it, you can.
What Effects Can Be Achieved?
Veneers give you a more complete, even and eye-catching smile. That’s why you catch celebrities with veneers. They are great for hiding deep or permanent discolouration resistant to whitening and patching up chips or other irregularities like not-so-straight teeth, severe rotting or breaking. Bonding results in a quicker upgrade and is better suited for smaller imperfections.
Comparison of Both Methods
Veneers are a great choice for fixing teeth discolouration, chipped teeth and uneven teeth. The only downside is the complex process that takes up to three visits, and the cost without insurance can be high. Bonding may not last as long as veneers, but it is an attractive and quick fix for a relatively affordable price. Bonding doesn’t require enamel removal, and the procedure is a fast one, taking around 30 minutes to an hour and is often done without anaesthesia.
Durability and Aesthetics
In strength, veneers do better than bonding. They are tough to stain and last long if cared for properly, staying as long as 10-15 years. They’re also very beautiful and look like your natural teeth. Bonding is a great tool for a fast fix. However, the bonding substance can chip or stain more easily than porcelain. Generally, it can last between 5-10 years before it needs to be corrected or replaced.
Cost and Availability
Veneers are often more expensive than bonding. This is because it’s a custom job and uses a higher material. The price of veneers can vary even with the same practice. This depends on the material and the exact dentist. Bonding is cheaper, but the lower initial cost can mean it may need to be redone more often, which can make the price add up in the end.
Process of Execution
Adding veneers is a pretty long procedure. The dentist will take a cast of the teeth and may shave off a bit of enamel to get the veneer to fit properly before bonding it to the original teeth using adhesive. Bonding is quick and is often done in a single visit to the dentist. The dentist will clean the tooth and apply a tooth-coloured resin to it. Then, the resin is shaped and moulded, and the dentist uses a light to harden it.
Who Is Veneers Good for and Who Is Bonding Good for?
Veneers are great for anyone who has severe imperfections. This includes teeth that have been deeply stained, chipped teeth and teeth with large gaps between them. Bonding is the better option if you only have mild imperfections. Go for it for a snappy fix if there is no severe problem. It’s not as big of a commitment and work well if you want porcelain in the future.
Individual Indications
Veneers are ideal for those who have:
- Severe staining
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Slightly crooked teeth
Bonding is appropriate for:
- Small chips or cracks
- Small gaps
- Tooth reshaping
Expert Opinions
It’s safe to say that most dentists would prefer veneers because, in the long run, they are the more aesthetic and durable option. However, it’s not suitable for everyone. Bonding is an affordable solution that offers a quick and easy fix without the major investment veneers require. You can visit sites like https://eskulap.co.uk/en/treatments/dentist-maple-cross/ to get deeper insight into what works for you.
Summary
The right choice depends on the changes you want to make to your smile. If you want a durable and natural-looking result and don’t mind the cost, permanent alterations to your teeth veneers are a suitable option. However, if you want a quick fix for a simple tooth problem without breaking the bank, bonding is a more suitable option.
