Cosmetic Dentistry Comparison: Dental Bonding vs. Porcelain Veneers
Modern cosmetic dentistry has the power to transform virtually any smile from something ordinary into something extraordinary. In the process, cosmetic dentistry can also improve a person’s self-esteem, self-image, and overall quality of life. In the hands of an experienced dentist who combines the skill of a highly trained medical professional with the finely honed aesthetic eye of an artist, such as Dr. Everett E. Heringer, cosmetic dentistry treatments can truly enhance and refine the natural beauty of the entire face.
One of the many benefits of cosmetic dentistry is that there are seemingly endless ways in which treatments can be combined, customized, and personalized to create smiles as unique as the people to which they belong. At Heringer Dentistry, LLC, two of the most readily customizable cosmetic dentistry treatments are dental bonding and porcelain veneers. Although these treatments share a common goal - to rejuvenate and restore radiance to aesthetically flawed teeth - they go about fulfilling this goal quite differently.
Dr. Heringer discusses the issue of dental bonding vs. porcelain veneers in detail during consultations at his Bismarck, ND cosmetic dentistry practice so that patients can make informed, confident decisions about which treatment to include in their smile makeover plans. Which treatment is right for you? We invite you to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Heringer today to find out.
Advantages and Disadvantages: Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is an excellent choice for patients who want to conceal imperfections in their smiles quickly and effectively. The procedure involves the application of a composite resin material to the surfaces of teeth that are aesthetically flawed. Once this material has been shaped, cured, and polished, it closely resembles a natural tooth, covering any chips, cracks, stains, and imperfections in size or shape that might have previously been evident. Patients emerge with a reinvigorated smile after just a single office visit, and results can last for years with proper care.
Compared specifically with porcelain veneers, dental bonding offers the following advantages:
- The procedure requires just one visit, whereas porcelain veneers require at least two.
- In the majority of cases, dental bonding does not necessitate any structural alteration of the teeth, making it a reversible procedure.
- Dental bonding tends to be less expensive than porcelain veneers.
Compared with porcelain veneers, dental bonding has the following disadvantages:
- Although very natural looking, composite resin is not translucent, unlike porcelain and tooth enamel. Therefore, porcelain veneers have the edge in terms of producing a natural appearance.
Advantages and Disadvantages: Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are crafted from the highest-grade ceramic to blend seamlessly into the smile. When bonded onto the front surfaces of cosmetically imperfect teeth, porcelain veneers can conceal the same flaws as dental bonding; however, they share the same light-reflecting properties as tooth enamel, which gives them a remarkably natural appearance. With proper care, veneers can last for a decade or longer.
Compared with dental bonding, porcelain veneers offer the following advantages:
- Porcelain, like tooth enamel, is translucent, meaning that it allows some light to pass through its surface rather than simply reflecting it. This makes custom-crafted porcelain veneers virtually indistinguishable from untreated teeth.
- Veneers can be used to correct minor to moderate instances of misalignment as a sort of “instant orthodontics.”
- Porcelain can be customized to a very high degree so that even the texture of the veneers complements surrounding natural teeth to near perfection.
Compared with dental bonding, porcelain veneers offer the following disadvantages:
- The placement of porcelain veneers requires a small amount of enamel to be removed. In many cases, this means that patients will always be required to wear veneers, making the treatment irreversible.
- The treatment is generally more expensive than dental bonding, though over time, it may end up being equally or more cost-effective.
Learn More about Dental Bonding vs. Porcelain Veneers
To find out whether dental bonding or porcelain veneers are better suited to your case, please contact Heringer Dentistry today.