Porcelain Veneers vs. Dental Bonding: Which Treatment Is Right for Me?
Dental bonding and porcelain veneers are both effective treatments that can mask cosmetic blemishes. Many of the patients who visit our downtown Edmonton, Alberta office have questions about which treatment will meet their cosmetic goals and budget.
During your cosmetic treatment consultation, Dr. Nathaniel Podilsky will explain how dental bonding and porcelain veneers can improve the appearance of your smile while recommending a suitable procedure to address your cosmetic needs. Dr. Podilsky has nearly 40 years of experience and has placed veneers since 1998.
Benefits of Dental Bonding
Dental bonding can address cosmetic problems in one visit to our clinic. Dental bonding involves the use of a tooth-colored resin that Dr. Podilsky color-matches to your neighboring teeth. Once the material is shaped to meet your cosmetic needs, Dr. Podilsky will harden the bonding material using a special light.
Dental bonding can address:
- Misshapen teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Small gaps
- Short teeth
Some patients prefer dental bonding because the treatment process is non-invasive. Any treatments using this material can be undone by removing the bonding material without injuring your natural teeth. Dental bonding is not ideal for addressing misaligned teeth or large gaps.
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers address cosmetic problems on the forward-facing side of a patient’s anterior (front) teeth. Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells that are placed on the surface of teeth.
In order to undergo the treatment, patients will need to make two visits to our dental office. During the first visit, a small amount of enamel will be removed. This step is called “prepping” the tooth. On the second visit, custom porcelain veneers are placed on the tooth using a strong bonding agent.
Porcelain veneers can address:
- Gapped teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Small teeth
- Discolored teeth
Which Option Is Right for Me?
When considering which treatment to undergo, patients should understand that veneers will last significantly longer than dental bonding. When properly maintained, veneers can last 10 years, 15 years, or longer. Dental bonding may need to be replaced every few years.
Veneers can also deliver more dramatic results than dental bonding. Significant gaps between teeth, for example, may best be addressed using veneers because only a limited amount of bonding material can be used in one area. Veneers do have a larger up-front cost, but many of our patients have found the results to be worth the expense.
If one of your teeth has significant decay, dental crowns may be a better treatment alternative. Significantly misaligned teeth may benefit from orthodontic treatments.
Restore Symmetry and Beauty to Your Smile
Whether undergoing teeth whitening, porcelain veneer placement, or dental bonding treatments, Dr. Podilsky brings decades of experience to improve the appearance of your smile. Many of our patients enjoy the life-changing benefits of porcelain veneers or dental bonding. If you are ready to explore your candidacy for these two cosmetic treatments, we welcome you to contact our office online or to call us in downtown Edmonton at (780) 428-6846.
