Dental Veneers or Bonding; Which One Should You Choose?

Whether to choose dental veneers near you or bonding will depend on the reason and the severity of the dental problem. It is vital to visit the dentist in Oshawa, ON for an assessment and information about the pros and cons of the dental veneers and bonding. In this post, we do a comparison between the two.

1. Appearance

Dental veneers in Oshawa, ON, are thin shells that are mostly made of porcelain and are fixed on the enamel. You can also opt for composite veneers if you are looking to have the same-day treatment.

These veneers are crafted to look like your teeth and offer a natural-looking appearance.

Dental bonding uses a resin material that is hardened on the affected area. It does have a natural-tooth color too and bonded teeth are not easily noticeable.

2. Procedure

The dental veneer’s procedure differs from bonding.

• Fixing veneers

If you choose the composite veneers, the dentist will fabricate them at the dental office. You will walk out with a new smile on the same day of the appointment. Porcelain veneers are different and need at least two dental visits because they are made at the lab.

The dentist in Oshawa, ON will begin the procedure with teeth preparation which involves trimming of the enamel. The enamel is reshaped to make room for the veneers depending on the thickness of the porcelain veneers.

You can escape teeth trimming by choosing the lumineers teeth. Lumineers do not need teeth preparation and offer the same appearance as traditional veneers. You can also opt for removable veneers. These thin shells can be customized or prefabricated, but it is important to speak to the dentist before buying them.

After reshaping, the dentist will take a cast or impression of your teeth to make the veneers. Since it takes a few weeks to get the veneers, the dentist will cover the teeth with temporary ones to protect them from sensitivity.

On the second dental visit, the temporary veneers are replaced with permanent ones. The dentist will cement the veneers and harden them with laser light.

• Bonding the teeth

Teeth bonding takes around 30 minutes to complete and it rarely uses local anesthesia unless tooth decay is present. The dentist will apply the resin material to the affected teeth and hardened them with light. The teeth are polished for a final look.

3. Reason and Purpose

The dentist may recommend dental veneers to correct:

• Severely discolored teeth due to root canal
• Worn down, chipped, and broken teeth
• Misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped teeth
• Gaps between the teeth

Dental bonding, on the other hand, is done to fix these imperfections:

• Mildly chipped, broken, and decayed teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Make the teeth look longer
• Change the shape
• Exposed teeth’ root due to gum recession

Yes, the veneers and bonding correct and fix almost the same problems. However, the veneers are mostly used for severe conditions. They are permanent and can last for 10+ years. Also, the porcelain veneers are durable compare to the resin material.

The bonded teeth can last for two to seven years based on how well they take care of them. The resin material is also weak and can break and crack. For that reason, the dentist will use dental bonding as a short-term solution.

4. Maintenance

Maintaining both the veneers and bonding is straightforward:

• Limit your consumption of wine, coffee, tea, and soy sauce as they can stain the teeth. Although the veneers are stain-resistant, they can still discolor. If you take these foods, brush your teeth immediately.
• Avoid biting ice or your fingernails. Also, do not use your teeth as tools to open bottles.
• Visit the dentist in Oshawa, ON regularly for a checkup and cleaning. Remember, the teeth underneath can still discolor with poor dental hygiene.

Final Thoughts

Both veneers and bonding are effective dental solutions based on the reasons for getting the treatment. Dental bonding is recommended for mild to moderate dental problems. Veneers on the other hand are ideal for severe conditions. They are also durable compared to the resin material used in bonding.

Visit Conlin Dentistry for an assessment on which treatment is suitable for you.