Dental Bonding Or Veneers: Which Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment Is Right For You?
Cosmetic dentistry is a wonderful option for any patient who wants to improve the appearance of their smile. Our team of cosmetic dentistry professionals provides a variety of treatments — including dental bonding and veneers — to hide big and small flaws. But which one should you choose? That depends on your needs and the results you want to achieve.
Keep reading to learn more about these smile-transforming treatments.
What Is Dental Bonding?
Also known as cosmetic bonding, dental bonding is a fast and effective way to hide chips, cracks, gaps, and discoloration. We also use it to reshape teeth that might be a little small or irregular. Many of our patients elect dental bonding to fill their cavities or replace old silver fillings.
In basic terms, dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure that uses a tooth-colored resin we can tint to match the shade of a patient’s natural tooth enamel. We then place the resin on the surface of the tooth, shape it, cure it, gently file it down, and polish it to look perfectly natural. Once complete, the bonding material virtually disappears because it blends in so well with the surrounding tooth enamel.
Dental bonding is a great choice if you want to:
- Fix one or two teeth with minor flaws
- Replace old silver fillings
- Eliminate a slight gap between two teeth
- Fill a cavity without impacting their appearance
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin shells made of durable, dental-grade ceramic that we bond to the front surfaces of teeth. Each veneer is individually crafted to your specifications so it looks naturally flawless. You can choose a lighter shade than your natural teeth or have your veneers made to match your tooth enamel exactly.
With veneers, we can hide a variety of imperfections, including chips, cracks, irregularly shaped teeth, gaps, and discoloration. We also use veneers to create a more balanced look if you have a gummy smile. Once placed, veneers look and feel very natural. They are stain resistant and will last for many years with proper care.
We recommend veneers if you want to:
- Hide multiple flaws with a single treatment
- Create a specific smile aesthetic
- Enhance the look of dull, worn teeth
- Eliminate larger gaps, cracks, and chips
- Correct a gummy smile
Why Choose One Over the Other
When you schedule a consultation at our office located in Denton, MD, we will advise you on which treatment will best address your needs and help you achieve your ultimate goal. You may select bonding if you want a quick fix, since we can complete it in a single appointment. Bonding may also be your choice if you only have one or two minor issues to address. However, if you want to completely transform the look of your smile or address multiple issues at once, veneers might be the way to go. The choice is yours, always.
If you’ve been thinking about improving your smile with dental bonding or veneers, we’d love to talk to you. Contact our office located in Denton, MD to schedule an appointment. We’re here to help you achieve your dream smile!
