What's the Difference between Dental Bonding and Veneers?

What's the difference between dental bonding and veneers?

If you are considering cosmetic dentistry, a commonly requested procedure is "bonding." You might wonder what this procedure entails and what the difference is compared to veneers. While this type of cosmetic restoration work is not always the first step (for example, it may be considered less invasive to perform teeth straightening like Invisalign before doing any shaving or drilling of natural teeth), it can be a useful tool to help solve patient concerns such as: a chipped or worn front tooth, filling in a "black triangle" where gaps exist between teeth, making smaller teeth appear even with adjacent teeth, etc.

You should know that other cosmetic restoration procedures are also available, and your Winter Park dentist might recommend different procedures depending on both the cosmetic and clinical outcomes. For example, suppose you have any underlying dental issues or prior dental work which should be accommodated. In that case, you may require alternative procedures such as a full crown or bridge (multiple teeth together), which can solve cosmetic and clinical dentistry needs.

What is dental "bonding"?

To be clear, bonding is a general term that describes a dentist using color-matched resin to fill and shape on top of your natural teeth. While this is the term that many refer to the procedure by, a dentist specifies this procedure as a "direct veneer," referring to the fact that the dentist is making and shaping the "veneer" directly onto your natural teeth in the office. When the procedure is completed, you have a resin "veneer" that has been "bonded" onto your teeth, giving the desired appearance.

What is a dental "veneer"?

When most patients think of a veneer, they picture a thin porcelain material applied to their natural teeth. Your Winter Park dentist refers to this as an "indirect veneer." It is custom-made in a dental lab with a tooth shade matching your desired color and reflectance and then applied to your teeth with dental cement. Because of the manufacturing process and materials, indirect veneers cost more than the "bonding" procedures. However, they are more durable and resistant to staining or color fading.

What are the pros and cons of bonding versus veneers?

When recommending cosmetic dental procedures for you, our dentist considers various factors so you can make an informed decision. While bonding may not be as durable as a veneer, it is often the right choice if the restoration is relatively small or in an area not subjected to high stress. Comparatively, an indirect veneer is a stronger choice if the patient already had prior dental work (such as fillings). Additionally, larger restorations or heavier discoloration requires " blocking" the natural tooth color. In this case, an indirect veneer is the best, as an opaque liner can be applied to help with the best color matching.

What are some alternatives to dental bonding and veneers?

In some cases, our dentist may recommend alternative procedures to help solve both a cosmetic and clinical issue simultaneously. For example, if multiple teeth have had prior restorations (such as crowns or fillings) and extraction had to be performed, a dental bridge with multiple "crowns" fused together may be the best option. The same photos and lab work are performed to design an aesthetic smile in this case. The lab manufactures the bridge with materials similar to a porcelain veneer, and the restoration can be solid and cosmetic and fill in missing teeth.

Another common alternative to a veneer is a full dental crown. Instead of just a veneer, a full crown allows the strengthening and shaping of all surfaces of a tooth. This can be a better choice when a tooth is subjected to higher stress or wear, and the additional surfaces that a crown cover provides extra strength. Additionally, if the side profile of a tooth is more visible or chipped, a crown can provide sufficient coverage to look and feel the way your natural "bite" would.

If you are interested in some cosmetic dentistry procedures, there are often many ways to approach your desired outcomes. At The Ivory Dental, we strive to keep all our patients informed about their options, why we recommend a particular restoration, and how it pertains to their dental health. If you would like a more profound discussion specific to your situation - please book an appointment today!

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