If you are looking at treatments to repair dental damage and achieve aesthetic results, then you have probably heard about dental bonding and veneers. These are both great treatment options that deliver full results in a short period of time. In today’s article, our Glendale cosmetic dentists are going to give you more information about these treatments so that you can get a better idea of which one is right for you.
Uses
Veneers and dental bonding can treat many of the same aesthetic or functional dental complaints. Both of these options can be used to resurface unsightly enamel, close gaps between teeth, and make misaligned smiles appear straighter and more seamless. With veneers and dental bonding, you can choose to correct a single tooth, or you can transform your entire smile. These are perhaps the most versatile treatments in cosmetic and restorative dentistry.
Materials
The fundamental difference between these treatments is that they use different materials to achieve results.
Cosmetic veneers are made from porcelain. Porcelain mimics the appearance of natural enamel, so once your veneers are in place they will blend in seamlessly with your existing smile.
Dental bonding utilizes composite resin to deliver results. Resin starts out as a soft and malleable substance. Once we cure it, it hardens and bonds to your tooth structure.
Process
The material differences between these two treatments affect the treatment process.
Veneers are individually crafted before they are applied. So, you will have an initial appointment where we prep relevant teeth, and then we will design your veneers to fit perfectly over those teeth. Once your veneers are ready you will come back into the office so that we can permanently attach your veneers.
Dental bonding, on the other hand, takes only one appointment to complete. Our team places soft resin on your tooth, shapes it to meet your specifications, and then cures it in one day.
Our dentists shade both porcelain veneers and dental bonding to match your tooth shade. If you are going to use either of these treatments on just one or two teeth, it is important that you complete any whitening treatments you’re planning before we place your veneers or bonding; composite resin and porcelain cannot be whitened by topical formulations.
If you want to learn more about either of these treatments, please feel free to reach out to our Glendale dentists. We are here to help you!