When it comes to enhancing your smile, dental bonding and veneers are two popular cosmetic dentistry services here at The Dental Center of Hercules. Both treatments can address imperfections and improve the appearance of your teeth, but they differ in terms of procedure, timeline, durability, and cost.
Below, Dr. Lovely Manlapaz Teodoro and the team explain the difference between bonding and veneers and how to tell which one is right for you.
Dental bonding involves applying a tooth-colored resin material to the surface of your teeth to correct minor imperfections such as chips, cracks, gaps, or discoloration. The resin is color-matched to your natural tooth and then carefully sculpted and bonded to your natural teeth.
Bonding is a relatively quick and cost-effective option and is ideal for minor cosmetic improvements.
Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the anterior (front) surface of your teeth to improve their appearance. They can address a range of cosmetic issues, including stains, chips, misalignment, and minor gaps.
Veneers can even correct permanently stained teeth that don’t respond to professional teeth whitening.
Note: veneers won’t physically close gaps. They hide them to create a uniform, harmonious smile. If you have large gaps, you’re not out of options. Dr. Teodoro offers several orthodontic options, including Invisalign® clear aligners and FASTBRACES®.
When deciding between bonding and veneers, there are several factors that can shape your treatment plan.
Consider the following factors:
Bonding is suitable for minor imperfections, while veneers are more effective for addressing moderate to severe cosmetic issues.
Determining whether bonding or veneers is right for you also depends on how many issues you want to resolve. If you have several cosmetic concerns 一 such as stained teeth, chipped teeth, and misshapen teeth 一 you might consider veneers.
Veneers can address multiple issues at once, saving you time and money in the long run.
On the other hand, if you have a single tooth with a chip or a single misshapen tooth, you might consider dental bonding instead. If you do choose bonding, it will be color-matched to the rest of your teeth so it will blend in beautifully.
Veneers typically last longer than bonding and are more resistant to staining and chipping. Both materials are strong, but in general, porcelain is generally more durable than composite resin.
There are two ways to look at the cost of each procedure: the price of a single procedure versus the price of multiple procedures.
If you need just one tooth repaired, bonding is generally more affordable than veneers, which makes it a budget-friendly option for some patients.
If you want to receive multiple treatments to address multiple issues, then veneers may be more cost effective when looking at the number of procedures you want.
Bonding can be completed in a single visit, while veneers require multiple appointments over several weeks. You can expect at least two appointments: one to prepare your teeth for veneers and to take impressions, and a second appointment to place your permanent veneers once they’re ready from the lab.
To return to the titular question, you’re not stuck answering this question on your own. Ultimately, the decision between bonding and veneers should be made in consultation with Dr. Teodoro in our Hercules, California, office. He can evaluate your oral health, discuss your cosmetic goals, evaluate any X-rays (if needed), and recommend the most suitable treatment option to reach your aesthetic and dental health goals.
Whether you opt for bonding or veneers, both options enhance the appearance of your smile, boost your self-esteem, and correct cosmetic concerns and minor imperfections.
To explore dental bonding, veneers, or any other cosmetic options, call us at 510-254-3328 to schedule your consultation. You can also book your appointment through our online booking system.
