Do you wish that your smile appeared whiter or straighter? Dissatisfaction with the appearance of your smile can impact many aspects of your life, including your confidence in your personal and professional lives. You can consult with your dentist to find cosmetic dental treatments that can improve the look of your teeth according to your unique aesthetic goals.
Two options they might use to achieve these goals include tooth bonding and porcelain veneers. But though they carry a similar purpose, they accomplish this through very different methods. Read on to compare and contrast these two cosmetic dental procedures and learn how they can affect your smile.
Reshape Your Teeth with Dental Bonding
Dental bonding offers an affordable yet effective way to enhance the appearance of your teeth. Within one appointment, a dentist will etch into the teeth to prepare the surface. Then they apply composite resin and mold the malleable material into the desired shape.
They finish the procedure by curing it with a special light so that it hardens into place. Make sure you follow your dentist’s aftercare guidelines to ensure it settles over your teeth without issue. Be careful because bonding can stain if you do not pay attention to the items you consume.
With bonding, a dentist can brighten your smile by covering stubborn stains, filling gaps between teeth to make your smile fuller and straighter, and reshaping the teeth, which can include covering small chips or cracks. You can experience these smile enhancements for three to ten years if you take proper care of your dental work.
This option provides an accessible treatment that can help you achieve the smile of your dreams. You can discuss touch-up appointments for your bonding with your dentist if needed. Learn how bonding will work with your unique smile by attending a dental consultation.
Construct an Enhanced Smile with Porcelain Veneers
Another cosmetic dental treatment your dentist might suggest to improve the look of your teeth is porcelain veneers. These custom-made caps fit over the front of the teeth. They attach using bonding, so you can anticipate a similar preparatory process before adhering veneers to the teeth.
You will need more than one appointment with your dentist to finish this treatment. The dentist needs time to build the custom veneers in their lab. They consider your aesthetic goals as well as the size, shape, and color of your natural teeth for a finish that will look beautiful according to your unique smile.
Though this treatment takes longer and costs more than bonding, you can see more lasting, durable results. Veneers can remain in place for fifteen years or longer with proper maintenance. And they resist staining for an even more beneficial outcome.
Not all dental patients can qualify for veneers though. You must have a healthy enough dental structure to support these fixtures. Schedule an oral exam with your dentist to learn if porcelain veneers will suit your dental needs and smile goals.