Many people are interested in improving their smile cosmetically. A beautiful smile can be both a social and professional asset that can restore your confidence and pave the way to new opportunities. Two ways your dentist can help you achieve your ideal smile are cosmetic bonding and porcelain veneers, and which one is right for you depends on your budget, how much time you have available, and how severe your dental damage is. Here’s what you should know about the differences between cosmetic bonding and porcelain veneers as well as what issues they are best for.
What Is Cosmetic Bonding?
If you have minor chips, cracks, stains, or gaps in your smile, your dentist may be able to use cosmetic bonding to cover up or fill in these small flaws using a composite resin that matches the color of your teeth. This putty-like substance is then shaped to match the natural contours of your tooth and then hardened with a special UV light. The process can be completed in minutes during a routine dental appointment, and it is one of the most affordable cosmetic dental treatments around. With proper care, the results can last for up to a decade.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are the open secret behind many a Hollywood star’s perfect smile. They are thin shells that match the shape, color, and luster of real teeth, and they can be used to treat extensive damage or flaws that cosmetic bonding cannot. They can sometimes be used to realign the smile without braces. The process of receiving veneers can be completed in as few as two appointments, and they can last for up to fifteen years or longer with proper care.
The process begins with a thorough examination of your mouth. Your dentist will then remove a tiny amount of enamel from the teeth being treated before taking bite impressions and cementing temporary veneers into place. The impressions will be sent to a lab so your permanent set can be manufactured. When your dentist receives your permanent veneers about two weeks later, they will remove the temporary ones before cementing the new set into place.
While porcelain veneers have a longer lifespan than cosmetic bonding, how long either of them will last depends mostly on the patient’s oral hygiene. Poor dental care can lead both of these treatments to fail sooner than they should. Consulting with your dentist will determine if either of these treatments is right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Daood Alvi earned his dental degree at the University of Minnesota, and he continues to pursue continuing education courses to refine and expand his clinical skills. He has more than a decade of experience in the dental field and has made developing trusting relationships with his patients his top priority. His office in Copperas Cove, TX offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as porcelain veneers and cosmetic bonding treatments. For more information on cosmetic dental treatments, contact his office online or dial (254) 987-6777.