Porcelain Veneers vs. Dental Bonding: Which Is Right for You?
When it comes to improving the aesthetics of your smile, there are many cosmetic options available. If your teeth are chipped, cracked, discolored, gapped, or slightly misaligned, the appearance of your smile can be enhanced with porcelain veneers or dental bonding.
At River City Dental Solutions in San Antonio, TX, we offer both. Today, our team will discuss porcelain veneers vs. dental bonding and explore the pros and cons of both options so you can make an informed decision about your oral health.
About Dental Bonding
During this cosmetic procedure, aesthetic flaws can be concealed using a special tooth-colored composite resin material. Applied directly to the teeth, the resin can be molded and shaped to fit your natural smile and anatomy.
Once the desired appearance is achieved, the bonding material is hardened with a curing light and polished to a natural-looking, beautiful shine.
About Porcelain Veneers
Like bonding, porcelain veneers are also used to mask certain cosmetic imperfections. In contrast to composite resin, however, porcelain veneers are crafted from medical-grade ceramic. Veneers are custom-designed and adhere to the front surfaces of the teeth.
In most cases, porcelain veneers can be placed in just two office visits. During the first appointment, impressions will be made of your teeth. These will be used to create your veneers, a process that takes about two to three weeks to complete.
Once the veneers have been fabricated, they will be bonded into place during a second appointment at our office.
Comparing Dental Bonding and Porcelain Veneers
Both dental bonding and porcelain veneers have the same end goal: to enhance the overall appearance of your smile. However, there are a few key differences that will factor into your treatment decision. These include:
- Materials: The most significant difference between dental bonding and porcelain veneers is the material used in each respective procedure. As aforementioned, bonding can be performed by applying composite resin material directly to the teeth. Porcelain veneers are custom-crafted from ceramic.
- Tooth preparation: The surfaces of the teeth must be roughened before applying either composite resin or porcelain veneers. However, these processes are different depending on which treatment is chosen. Before placing composite, a slightly acidic solution (dental etch) is applied to the teeth. In order to place veneers, small amounts of enamel must be removed in order to make room for your veneers.
- Treatment time: Dental bonding can be completed in a single office visit. Because porcelain veneers must be crafted from impressions in a dental lab, the process takes a bit longer. On average, individuals can complete veneer treatment in about two to four weeks.
- Long-term results: Dental bonding typically lasts about seven years on average, while porcelain veneers can last upwards of 20 years with proper care and maintenance. It is important to note that dental bonding is completely reversible, while porcelain veneers are permanent. Therefore, they will need to be replaced at some point during your lifetime.
Contact River City Dental Solutions
If you are considering cosmetic dentistry to enhance the appearance of your smile, schedule a consultation at our practice. Our doctors can help you establish which solution will meet your unique needs. Contact River City Dental Solutions online or call us at (210) 349-3745.