Choosing Between Tooth Bonding & Dental Veneers

While having multiple options can make the decision-making process harder, it is excellent for cosmetic dentistry. At Alexander Family Dental, we have a wide selection of cosmetic treatments, and choosing the right one may seem overwhelming initially. However, don’t worry; our dental experts will guide you on which treatment suits you best. Here we discuss teeth bonding and dental veneers as cosmetic options for you. While both have the same approach to correcting dental imperfections, they, too, have differences.

What is Teeth Bonding

Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure in which the tooth’s surface is applied a tooth-colored resin to repair the damage. It is considered to be less expensive than veneers and dental crowns. To start the process, the dentist uses a shade guide to choose the correct composite color for you that matches your natural teeth. Your dentist will then roughen the tooth’s surface and applies a liquid that will allow the bonding to stick in place. After the resin is applied in place, it will be molded, shaped, and then hardened using an ultraviolet light. If necessary, the dentist can further shape the resin after it hardens. The procedure doesn’t require anesthesia unless you have it as a filling. Visit our dentist in Queen Creek, AZ, for a smile makeover treatment near you.

What are Dental veneers?

Dental veneers are thin tooth-colored caps that are fixed on the front surface of the teeth to enhance their appearance. They are made of resin-composite or porcelain materials. Dental issues they can solve range from tooth discoloration to broken teeth. One may receive single or multiple veneers to create a symmetrical smile.

A preliminary appointment to discuss a suitable veneer for you is first made before you get your veneers. You may receive other dental procedures, if necessary, before dental veneers. For example, you are undergoing a root canal if your tooth root is infected. To receive an accurate size for your veneers, your teeth will be prepped by trimming some part of your enamel. This will be done before a mold impression of your teeth is taken and sent to the lab. It will take two dental appointments to have your veneers on.

On the second appointment, your teeth will be cleaned, and dental cement will be applied to bond the veneer on your teeth. The bonding cement is then hardened using ultraviolet light. Get dental veneers in Queen Creek, AZ, to improve your smile.

When is Dental Bonding the Best

Although dental bonding can correct teeth imperfections just like veneers, teeth bonding is a simpler, more affordable, and faster cosmetic treatment. The treatment can repair cracked, decayed, or discolored teeth. It can also close small tooth gaps or increase your tooth size. For example, if you have a tooth that’s shorter than the rest of your natural teeth.

Teeth bonding can last from three to ten years without replacements or repairs. Protect your dental bonding by:

• Wearing a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth at night.
• Keep off sharp objects out of your mouth.
• Please don’t use your teeth to bite your nails, chew ice, or use them as bottle openers.
• Don’t pick on dental bonding.
• While playing sports, put on your mouthguard to protect your teeth.
• Schedule dental cleanings and checkups twice a year
• Avoid taking highly pigmented foods and beverages such as tea, coffee, and tobacco the first two days after the treatment to avoid stains.

When are Veneers the Best

Dental veneers have been perfected throughout the decade to create a radiant and flawless smile. Specifically, they are custom-made to fit over dental flows such as:

• Misshapen or worn-out teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Stained or discolored teeth
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Slightly crooked teeth

Top-quality veneers will last up to twenty years or longer with proper dental care. This gives them an advantage over tooth bonding if you look for a longer-lasting cosmetic option.

The extent of the teeth imperfections, along with your budget, dental needs, and smile goals, will be factored in when deciding on cosmetic treatment. At our dental offices, we have experienced dentists who will help you choose the right course of action, whether it’s dental veneers, tooth bonding, or other cosmetic dentistry treatments.