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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 want to change the shape, colour, or overall appearance of your teeth, you should consider dental veneers or dental bonding. Both procedures can help conceal visible flaws in your teeth and may give you the appearance of a more uniform smile.
What are dental veneers?
Veneers are thin porcelain pieces that are placed on the front layer of your teeth. They can lengthen, shape, and lighten the colour of your teeth. A single veneer can be applied to a single tooth to cover it, or a full set can be applied to multiple teeth to make your smile more even.
Veneers are custom-made in a laboratory, fitted to your teeth, and colour-matched.
They are placed directly on the teeth, thickening them, so the procedure usually necessitates the removal of a thin layer of enamel. Appointments are required to plan, but once that is completed, the actual process can usually 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 create white, uniform smiles by concealing cracks, stains, and irregularly shaped teeth. Porcelain is stain-resistant and extremely strong, making 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 thought to be a permanent procedure. The enamel on the tooth is removed and replaced with porcelain, which is then bonded to the top layer of the tooth. 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 a broad term that encompasses all procedures that involve the application of white fillings to teeth. Bonding, like a porcelain veneer, is applied to the front surface of a tooth to change its size, shape, and colour for cosmetic purposes. Dental bonding can be used to repair individual teeth or to rebuild a group of teeth, all to create a more uniform smile.
Bonding is a good option for people who want to improve a minor dental irregularity. The bonding material will be colour matched to your neighbouring teeth, just like veneers.
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 often faster than the porcelain veneers process, which requires at least two appointments. Bonding is often less expensive than porcelain veneers if the extent of the cosmetic work required is minimal to moderate.
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.
Furthermore, while bonding can be used to improve a single or a few teeth, it can be difficult to improve an entire smile with bonding. As a result, dental bonding may end up being nearly as expensive as porcelain veneers, as it may necessitate significantly more time and skill on the part of the dentist.