If you're unhappy with the size or shape of your teeth, or if your teeth have been chipped or damaged, there are a number of options open to you. Two of the most popular are bonding and veneers.

The Difference Between Bonding and Veneers

When veneers are fitted, your dentist will remove some of the tooth's enamel before sticking them on over the top. This will usually take a couple of visits. In contrast, bonding involves the use of the same material used to create modern fillings. They are chemically bonded to the teeth and then shaped by your dentist.

Bonding Requires Less Work

In general, dentists agree that it's always best to retain as much of the tooth's original structure as possible. Veneers are perfectly safe, but they do involve the shaving away of the tooth's outer layer to make sure there is space to fit the veneers. If you can avoid such invasive work, you should. Luckily enough, bonding will not usually require the same alterations.

Bonding Is Faster

Veneers can reinvent your smile, but they certainly do not represent an overnight process. Firstly, your teeth need to be shaved down. Next, you will need to wear temporary veneers for a certain period. Finally, you will go in and have your permanent veneers put in place. This is often an inconvenient schedule for busy people. In contrast, bonding can usually be completed within a single visit to your dentist.

Bonding Is Better for Smaller Spots

It is possible to fit veneers over just one or two teeth. However, you will usually find that veneers are meant to cover all of your teeth, which might not be something that you're after if only or two teeth have been damaged. Whether you need all teeth altered or only one or two, bonding is equally advantageous.

Bonding Is Appreciably Less Expensive

Finally, but perhaps most importantly, bonding is a significantly cheaper procedure than veneers. When veneers are fitted, you need to go through that whole exhaustive procedure. It will take your dentist more time to shave down the teeth than it would to reshape them with bonding material, and you'll have to pay fees for the creation of your veneers. These costs can often skyrocket into the thousands of dollars. Bonding is a far more cost-effective option that can be carried out using cheaper materials that your dentist will already have on hand. 

Share