Veneers and dental implants can be used to achieve many of the same aesthetic and functional dental goals:
- Correct damage
- Close gaps
- Resurface unsightly enamel
- Lengthen short teeth
- Improve bite function
So, what sets these treatments apart? At the end of the day, it is the materials used to repair or resurface your teeth.
Aesthetic veneers are made from exceptionally thin porcelain. A veneer is only as thick as a contact lens, but once it is in place it completely transforms the appearance of the tooth.
Dental bonding uses composite resin to achieve results. The composite resin begins as a soft, shapeable consistency. Our Saint Louis dental team applies the resin to a patient’s tooth, and then we cure it with a special light so that it hardens and bonds to the natural tooth.
These material differences affect their respective treatment processes. Veneers take two or three appointments to complete; first, the teeth are prepped, then restorations are made to fit the patient’s teeth, and finally, we attach them to the natural tooth structure. On the other hand, the dental bonding process takes just one appointment to complete. We shade, shape, and cure composite resin in one appointment.
A few other things to keep in mind:
- Dental bonding is generally less expensive than porcelain veneer treatment
- On the whole, veneers last longer than bonding
- If veneers become damaged they must be replaced
- If dental bonding becomes damaged it can be repaired with additional resin
- Veneers and bonding cannot be lightened with whitening treatments, and they are naturally stain-resistant
To learn more about either of these treatment options and any other cosmetic treatments, for that matter, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our St. Louis dentists for help. We are here to help you assess all of your choices, and, ultimately, move forward with the one that is perfect for you!