If you have oral imperfections, cosmetic dentistry can help you obtain the smile you always wanted. Veneers and composite bonding are popular procedures that address similar dental concerns and imperfections. The most suitable option for you will depend on your oral preferences, needs, and financial situation. This blog can help you understand the differences between veneers and composite bonding and how each works.
Composite Bonding Versus Veneers
Both veneers and composite bonding are dental cosmetic procedures used to enhance smiles and treat common dental issues like chips, cracks, discoloration, and gaps. However, their purpose, durability, preparation, cost, and materials differ. Let us take a deeper look at these differences.
What is Composite Bonding?
Dental or cosmetic bonding involves using composite materials similar to those used to seal dental cavities. During the process, the dentist applies and cures composite resin to the affected tooth, causing the tooth to “bind “ and return to its original shape.
The resin perfectly matches your teeth' color, making them look natural. Dental bonding involves a simple, conservative, non-invasive procedure that improves teeth' shape and appearance. Its main advantage is that it is a non-invasive treatment that can safely address a variety of imperfections, including gaps, misalignment, and tooth discoloration. Your dentist first prepares the tooth’s surface using an etching fluid.
The dentist then applies, shapes, and positions the composite bonding to address your cosmetic concerns. Finally, the dentist hardens the composite bonding using a specialized light and could make minor adjustments.
Benefits of Composite Bonding
Dental bonding fulfills multiple roles, acting as an aesthetic and medical procedure. It can effectively conceal exposed roots, which are frequently the result of receding gums, and enhance your teeth’s appearance.
One of tooth bonding’s main advantages is that it requires little prior preparation. Since there is no need to file down teeth or remove enamel, it is less invasive than veneers.
Tooth bonding is also cheaper and faster compared to dental veneers. Even though bonding is simple, your dentist can complete it in a single visit if you prefer to avoid scheduling multiple appointments.
The Disadvantages of Dental Bonding
One of the main disadvantages of tooth bonding is it might not have the natural appearance of teeth like dental veneers. This is because resin stains just as easily as natural teeth. You should continue your teeth-cleaning routine.
Furthermore, bonding does not undergo the same whitening procedure as natural teeth. This suggests that you may need to replace the bonding if it discolors or becomes stained every few years. Like veneers, tooth bonding is not as solid as natural teeth. Therefore, you should avoid munching into hard objects. When deciding between tooth bonding and veneers, you can consider these factors.
The Composite Bonding Procedure
Below is what you can expect from your composite bonding procedure:
1. Preparation
Preparing for dental bonding requires very little work. Your dentist will clean the teeth to ensure they are free from tartar and plaque, though this is often done during routine dental cleaning appointments.
If a cavity needs to be sealed before bonding, you may need anesthesia, especially if the dentist must drill to remove damaged material. Anesthesia might also be necessary if significant tooth reshaping or bonding involves a chip near the dental nerve, which can cause pain. However, in most cases, anesthesia is not required.
2. The Bonding Process
The first stage in the bonding process is to roughen the tooth’s surface, much like you would to improve adhesion on a woodworking surface. The dentist creates thin layers of debris on the tooth enamel and dentin underneath (known as a smear layer) using a fine-grit diamond bur or coarse paper.
The dentist may remove this layer using a bonding agent or a diluted phosphoric acid solution that integrates the layer with the composite resin to ensure a strong bond. If the acid solution is utilized, it is rinsed away after about 20 seconds. You can apply Teflon or plumber tape to protect adjacent teeth from the solution.
The dentist then applies a bonding agent called “bonderizer” using a brush and cures it using LED lights for ten to twenty seconds. This thin resin layer creates a solid bond between the tooth enamel, dentin, and bonding material.
Your dentist can select a bonding agent from many available based on factors such as etching technique, speed, and dependability. The dentist will then apply a composite resin in a shade that matches your teeth.
Some dental professionals can shape the resin using their hands, while others may use a lingual stent. This is a mold-like substance that helps dentists to craft a bonded tooth’s shape. Despite not customizing this stent for your mouth, the dentist uses artistic skill to mold the resin into the appearance of a genuine tooth.
The dentist will refer to the matching tooth on the other side of your mouth to guarantee symmetry. They will trim and cut the tooth to provide realistic grooves and contours. After hardening it with a laser or UV light, the dentist can shape the resin painlessly and make any necessary adjustments.
What are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are porcelain shells that cover teeth' surfaces to fix aesthetic issues. They are a great way to cover gaps and make uneven, discolored, or malformed teeth look better. The veneer procedure usually involves removing some enamel to reshape teeth, taking longer than other treatments.
This procedure can transform imperfect smiles into looking radiant and pleasant, boosting the self-esteem and appearance of patients.
During the process, your dentist could take impressions of the teeth to create customized dental veneers. While your personalized veneers are prepared, you will wear temporary dental ones. Once the custom veneer is ready, your dental professional will remove the temporary ones and apply the new ones.
Afterward, your dentist will apply adhesive to bond the permanent dental veneers to the teeth. A small amount of tooth enamel is removed to ensure a secure fit for the veneers, resulting in an even and smooth appearance.
Benefits of Dental Veneers
These are renowned for looking natural and lasting a long time. Because of their high resistance to fading, veneers can tolerate tough stains from pigmented drinks like coffee and wine and tar stains from tobacco products. With proper dental care, veneers could last for several decades.
Depending on the goals, you could use multiple veneers resistant to fading or a single veneer to cover a discolored or damaged tooth to create a bright, healthy smile.
Disadvantages of Veneers
To ensure a strong bond, a dentist has to remove some enamel from your teeth before applying veneers. Veneers are an investment that lasts a lifetime because, once applied, they are permanent. The irreversible nature of this process necessitates full acceptance of the choice.
Veneers may be more expensive than other cosmetic procedures, leading many patients to carefully weigh their options before deciding.
Veneers Procedure
Installing dental veneers usually involves several steps. Here is an overview of the procedure:
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Consultation
Consult a cosmetic dental professional to discuss your options and select your desired veneers. The dentist will take X-ray scans during the appointment to assess your teeth' condition. They can look for issues such as gum disease, cavities, tooth loss, and the requirement for a root canal. If these issues occur, veneers may not be the ideal option.
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Teeth Preparation
If a dentist deems you an eligible candidate for dental veneers, they may use an oral scanner and specialized software to show the final results. Based on the type of veneer recommended, your dentist could need to extract small amounts of enamel to create space for the restoration. For example, there are options for low-prep veneers suitable for patients needing minimal enamel removal. After cleaning your teeth, the dentist will take digital scans to start the smile design procedure.
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Placement of Temporary Veneers
Your dentist will create your custom porcelain veneers using a digital scan. In the meantime, they will place temporary veneers to protect the teeth until the restorations arrive from the laboratory.
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Final Placement
You can return to your dentist's clinic once the porcelain veneers from the lab are ready. Your dentist might use an anesthetic to ensure your comfort. After removing the temporary dental veneers, they will carefully affix the porcelain dental veneers to your teeth.
After placing the veneers, your dentist could polish the teeth and make necessary adjustments to ensure your bite feels comfortable and natural. If you are satisfied with the appearance and fit of your veneers, you will leave the office with your stunning new smile.
Which Procedure Is Suitable for You?
Your dentist can assess your suitability for either veneers or composite bonding. However, you may be a good candidate if you meet the following criteria:
Veneers
If you seek a long-lasting and dependable cosmetic solution to confidently show off your smile, veneers might be the right choice. They provide aesthetically pleasing results that often resemble natural teeth. However, dental bonding may not be suitable for specific conditions.
You may be a suitable candidate for veneers if you meet any of the following conditions:
- Severe discoloration and stains
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Large gaps
- Eroded teeth
Composite Bonding
You could be a suitable candidate for composite bonding if you meet the following criteria:
- You wish to address minor cosmetic concerns, such as small gaps between teeth, short teeth you want to enhance, minor damage like chips or fractures, or misshapen teeth.
- There must be enough intact tooth structure for your dentist to build upon.
- You should also be in good oral health before treatment.
Your dentist will perform a comprehensive examination before beginning any treatment. They might consider certain factors, like teeth grinding, which can harm bonding and veneers. During your initial consultation, bring up any suspicions about teeth grinding.
The Main Differences Veneers and Composite Bonding
Dental veneers and composite bonding are both effective options for addressing cosmetic concerns, but they have notable differences in several aspects:
Treatment Purpose
Composite bonding is often the most practical choice to fix a minor chip or correct several teeth. In contrast, dental crowns or veneers might be the ideal option to completely transform a patient’s smile, as they shield the affected teeth.
Cost
Porcelain veneers are far more expensive than dental bonding. Bonding costs usually range from $100 to $500, whereas veneers cost $1,500 or more per tooth. However, veneers’ enduring beauty and robustness might ultimately provide better value.
Longevity
The materials used in dental veneers and bonding affect their lifespan.
- Dental bonding usually lasts about 5 to 10 years before replacement is needed.
- Composite veneers, also known as resin veneers, generally last around 5 to 7 years
- Porcelain veneers are considered the gold standard in cosmetic dentistry, often lasting 15 to 20 years when applied by a professional
Maintenance
Caring for veneers and composite bonding is quite similar. You should maintain a thorough dental hygiene plan and avoid strenuous activities that could damage the composite bonding or veneer, such as engaging in sports without a mouthguard.
Choosing the Right Dentist For Your Veneers or Composite Bonding Procedure
Finding a cosmetic dentist is more than selecting any general practitioner. It requires choosing a specialist who focuses on the aesthetic aspects of dental care.
Begin with Trusted Recommendations
A great way to start your search is by asking family, friends, or colleagues for referrals. Their personal experiences can provide valuable insights into a dentist’s quality of care, patient experience, and general professionalism.
Review Qualifications and Experience
In addition to recommendations, you can use resources like the American Dental Association to locate certified professionals. To ensure the best possible outcome, select a dentist with solid credentials, thorough training, and substantial experience in cosmetic procedures.
Find an Encino Dentist Near Me
When deciding between veneers and composite bonding, your dentist can evaluate your precise dental requirements and advise on the most fitting option based on the scale of your cosmetic problems and budget. At Lasting Impressions Dental Spa, we can assess your oral cavity and help you decide between these procedures. Call us today at 818-751-5100 to schedule an appointment with one of our Encino dentists and start your journey to feeling confident again.
