What’s the Difference Between Dental Bonding and Porcelain Veneers?

You’ve decided it’s time to start thinking about the appearance of your teeth. The thought of transforming your smile is exciting, but there are so many dental cosmetic treatment options! Dental bonding and porcelain veneers, for instance, both seem to be able to address minor damage and scuffs. How do you know which one is right for you?

A great start to making your decision is learning more about the details. Keep reading, and you’ll get a good idea of how dental bonding and porcelain veneers are different!

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Picture a thin, tooth-shaped shell of porcelain. That’s a porcelain veneer. Before adhering them to the front-facing portion of your teeth, your dentist will customize the size, shape, and color to give your smile a uniform look. The basic idea is to conceal dental flaws behind a pristine layer of durable porcelain.

What is Dental Bonding?

If you’ve ever seen resin art, you already have a pretty good idea of what dental bonding is. Your dentist will mix together a composite resin that’s color-matched to your teeth. Composite resin is a semi-liquid that resembles syrup in texture, making it easy to mold and sculpt around your dental flaws. Instead of masking the entire front-portion of your tooth, dental bonding targets specific blemishes to treat them individually.  

Comparing Your Options

You might already have a sense of how these two dental cosmetic options are different, but let’s take things a step further and dive into some details.

Coverage

Since dental bonding is more precise, it’s more often recommended for treating a small number of minor flaws. Porcelain veneers, however, could be more practical if you’re wanting to fix multiple issues at once.

Pre-Treatment Prep

Your dentist will have to remove a small bit of your enamel to make room for porcelain veneers, while dental bonding usually doesn’t require making alterations to your natural teeth.

Longevity

Both porcelain and composite resin are durable, but the veneers typically last slightly longer – assuming you have good oral hygiene habits!

Average Cost

Because resin tends to be a cheaper material, dental bonding is more likely to be the cheaper option. However, it will ultimately depend on your unique situation.

Cosmetic Effect

Porcelain veneers and dental bonding can seamlessly cover up dental flaws, to the point where onlookers won’t be able to tell the difference between your cosmetics and the natural surface of your pearly whites!

Decision Paralysis? Talk to Your Dentist

When it comes to any cosmetic treatment, the best thing you can do to ensure your results match your expectations is to consult with a professional. Your dentist knows a thing or two about teeth, and will take your goals and health history into consideration when offering their advice. For help in finding the right dental cosmetic option for you, contact your smile expert!

About the Practice

Dr. Corey Martinez and Dr. Bond Harman make a good team at Martinez Dentistry. Combing their unique specialties and skills, they provide quality services for their patients. Dr. Martinez is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, meaning that he’s well-qualified to help you find the right dental cosmetic treatment for you and your smile! To contact their office, call 765-724-7729.