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In the realm of cosmetic dental care, there are a number of methods that can be used to help patients alter the look of their smiles.
Dental bonding or dental veneers may be a good option if you want to alter the size, colour, or overall appearance of your teeth. Both treatments may be able to give you the appearance of a more uniform smile while helping to conceal your teeth's obvious flaws.
What are dental veneers?
Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that sit on the front layer of your teeth. They can add length, change the shape, and lighten the colour of your teeth. A single veneer can be placed individually to cover just one tooth, or a full set can be applied to multiple teeth to make your smile more even.
Veneers are fitted and coloured to match your teeth after being made to order in a lab. Since they are placed directly on the teeth, thickening them, the procedure typically necessitates removing a thin layer of enamel. While appointments are required for planning, the process itself is frequently completed in just a few visits.
Who could benefit from veneers?
You are a good candidate for veneers if you have:
- Severe stains and discolouration
- Cracked teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Large gaps in between your teeth
- Crooked teeth (mild to moderate)
- Teeth that overlap
- Worn teeth
Pros of Veneers
Veneers can conceal flaws in tooth structure, such as cracks and stains, and produce white, uniform smiles. Due to its strength and stain resistance, porcelain is also resistant to chipping and cracking.
Veneers are colour matched as closely as possible to your natural teeth. They are made to appear slightly translucent, just like natural teeth, and as a result, are quite realistic in appearance.
Cons of Veneers
The use of veneers is regarded as a permanent procedure. Enamel is taken out and replaced with porcelain, which is then bonded to the tooth's top layer. This indicates that the veneering procedure has permanently altered the tooth.
Veneers can also be somewhat costly. This is because they are custom-made and can often take more time and skill during preparation and placement.
What is dental bonding?
The term "dental bonding" is used to refer to all procedures used to apply white fillings to teeth. Similar to a porcelain veneer, bonding is applied to the front surface of a tooth to alter its size, shape, and colour. In order to achieve a uniform-looking smile, dental bonding can be used to rebuild several teeth or repair one tooth at a time.
Bonding can be a good choice for those with a small dental irregularity they want to improve. Just like with veneers, the dentist will colour match the bonding material to your neighbouring teeth.
Who might benefit from dental bonding?
Dental bonding might be right for you if you have the following:
- Chips
- Cracks
- Minor stains
- Misshapen teeth
- Gaps
- Exposed roots from receding gums
Pros of Dental Bonding
Bonding is frequently completed in a single appointment, making it quicker than the porcelain veneers procedure, which usually requires at least two appointments. Bonding is frequently less expensive than porcelain veneers if the amount of cosmetic work needed is minimal to moderate.
If the bonding chips or breaks over time, it is typically quick and easy to repair. If taken care of properly, dental bonding can last for up to 10 years before it needs to be replaced.
Cons of Dental Bonding
One of the disadvantages of dental bonding is that it is not as strong as porcelain. It can chip more easily and is more porous, meaning it is more susceptible to staining.
The challenge of dental bonding is the aesthetic limitations of the material. It can be more difficult to mask very dark and discoloured teeth.
Additionally, while bonding can be used to improve a single or a few teeth, an entire smile can be challenging. Because it may require a lot more time and expertise on the part of the dentist, dental bonding may end up costing almost as much as porcelain veneers.