Dental Bonding and Tooth Veneers are Not the Same

Dental bonding and tooth veneers both fall under the practice of cosmetic dentistry, but they aren’t the same procedure, and they serve different purposes. Veneers cover an entire tooth or several teeth, and they’re primarily used to permanently whiten a smile, whether you have discolored or damaged front teeth. Dental bonding, on the other hand, is used to give a more natural look opposed to metal fillings, or to supplement the missing part of a chipped tooth. A tooth veneer is made of porcelain, whereas dental bonding is a resin material that is molded and then cured.

Dental Bonding: The Pros and Cons

Both of these procedures have pros and cons. Dental bonding is great for fixing a chipped tooth in a way that looks natural and doesn’t require a whole tooth extraction and replacement with an implant crown. It’s affordable and a long-term solution. However, dental bonding isn’t as strong as your natural tooth, and will need to be replaced every five to ten years. Also, you can’t get teeth whitening when you have dental bonding. The bonding material is made to match the color of your natural tooth and isn’t affected by teeth whitening procedures, meaning if you whiten your teeth it will cause the bonding to become mismatched with your natural teeth.

Tooth Veneers: Why or Why Not

If you want to improve your smile and your teeth are in decent health, veneers are a great option. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to have your teeth drilled down in order to get tooth veneers. Veneers are actually a really thin piece of porcelain that is made to fit the surface of your tooth to cover it in a natural-looking way. Your cosmetic dentist will have to roughen up the surface of your tooth a bit so that the veneer adheres correctly, but once it does, you’re good to go. Tooth veneers last a really long time and are strong. They’re also stain-resistant. Admittedly, they are pretty expensive. And unlike dental bonding, they’re really just a cosmetic fix – you can’t use them to fill gaps or fix chips.

Finding the Right Cosmetic Dentist for the Job

Getting dental work of any kind done is a little daunting, especially because most procedures have permanent implications for your smile. You want a top Cincinnati dentist – not just any practice. Beckham Square Family Dental offers comprehensive dental services, including regular dental cleanings, cosmetic dentistry, dentures, tooth extractions and more. If you’re considering tooth veneers, or have a chipped tooth and need dental bonding, we’re the ones to call. We serve clients all over the Cincinnati area, and pride ourselves on gentle, friendly and skilled dental care.