Have you ever been conscious of your smile and compared it with others on social media? Perhaps you dislike something about it, forcing you to hide it in photos.
If so, you’re not alone. According to Dentistry IQ, a 2024 survey found that 53% of respondents compare their teeth to those of other social media users. More (56%) even admitted to hiding their smiles!
Fortunately, cosmetic treatments like dental bonding and veneers can help you gain more confidence with a more dazzling smile. The question is, how do these two differ?
In this dental bonding vs. veneers comparison guide, the caring team at Garden Springs Dental, our family dental office serving Lexington, KY, will share insights into these treatments. So please read on, as what you learn here can help you determine which best suits your needs and preferences.
What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is among the most affordable procedures your dentist in Lexington, KY, may recommend for minor dental restoration and cosmetic purposes. It involves using tooth-colored resin materials that your oral healthcare provider molds and “bonds” to the tooth that requires treatment. The process is relatively quick, taking only 30 to 60 minutes per tooth.
Here are some of the top dental bonding benefits and the most common problems it can help with.
Chipped or Cracked Teeth
Did you accidentally bite into something hard, causing one or more of your pearly whites to develop a minor chip or crack? Dental bonding can help correct the problem if the damage doesn’t affect the surrounding gums or the tooth’s roots.
Discolored Teeth
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), as many as 19% of Americans have had their teeth whitened. Professional teeth whitening is undoubtedly the fastest, most straightforward way to address tooth stains and discoloration, but it’s not 100% effective in all cases.
For example, tooth whitening may work incredibly well for extrinsic (superficial) stains that affect the enamel, the tooth’s outermost layer. However, it’s not as effective against intrinsic stains (those that affect the dentin, the layer beneath the enamel). Intrinsic stains are discolorations that may occur due to:
- Trauma
- Excessive fluoride
- Certain medications
If you have minor intrinsic stains, your Lexington, KY, dentist may recommend dental bonding. It can camouflage the discoloration, making your teeth look more natural and brighter.
Small Gaps Between Teeth
Do you have small gaps between the teeth? If so, what you likely have are diastemas.
As Verywell Health explains, diastemas are visible spaces between teeth with widths over 0.5 millimeters. They often affect the upper front teeth but can occur anywhere, including the back teeth or molars.
A minor diastema may not need dental braces or orthodontics. However, if your gapped smile makes you overly self-conscious and affects your confidence, your Lexington dentist can correct it with dental bonding.
Minor Tooth Decay
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries or cavities, is among the most common oral health afflictions in the United States. Indeed, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that 21% of adults aged 20 to 64 have at least one untreated cavity.
If you have a minor, untreated cavity, your dentist may treat it with dental bonding materials.
What About Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are ultra-thin shells designed to cover the tooth’s front (visible) surface. Often made of porcelain materials, they can correct dental flaws and issues that affect the front teeth.
Your highly skilled dentist in Lexington, KY, may recommend getting dental veneers for a perfect smile, especially if the issues affecting your pearly whites are slightly more extensive. For example, if you have:
- A larger tooth chip or crack
- Stains or discolorations that affect a significant surface area of your teeth
- Wider gaps between your front teeth
Dental Bonding vs. Veneers: A Highlight of Differences
As explained above, dental bonding and veneers can address many of the same problems, such as tooth cracks and stains. However, they also have many distinctions, from their materials to their placement process and longevity.
Material
A chief difference between bonding and veneers is that dental bonding uses composite tooth-colored resin, while veneers often use porcelain. For this reason, the cost of dental bonding is generally much less than that of veneers.
Placement Process
Dental bonding only takes an hour or less because bonding the resin to the tooth requires little preparation.
By contrast, veneers require more preparation, so your dentist will ask you to return for a second visit. On the first visit, they will prepare your tooth/teeth, removing some of the enamel to accommodate the veneers. On the second visit, they will place the shells.
Durability and Longevity
Dental bonding can last an average of five to ten years. Although strong, the tooth-colored resin used in this treatment isn’t as durable as the high-quality porcelain materials in veneers. Resin is also more prone to wear, tear, and staining, another reason its lifespan is often shorter than that of veneers.
On the other hand, high-quality porcelain veneers can last 15 to 20 years! While it may “sound” fragile, porcelain is quite durable and highly resistant to staining.
When to Get Which
Do you only have minor tooth concerns like a small chip, crack, or isolated staining? If so, dental bonding can be an ideal treatment option. It can help address your concerns, and best of all, it’s affordable.
However, dental veneers could be better if your tooth woes are more extensive and you want a longer-lasting solution. While they cost more than dental bonding, they can last at least twice as long (or longer!) and correct more aesthetic dental issues.
Transform Your Smile With Dental Bonding or Veneers
In this dental bonding vs. veneers comparison guide, you learned that both can help with similar issues, such as tooth cracks, chips, stains, and gaps. However, you also discovered that bonding, although more affordable than veneers, is less durable and is often best for minor restorations or cosmetic flaws.
Are you still unsure which treatment to get? If so, our highly skilled and compassionate dental professionals at Garden Springs Dental are happy to help!
Doctors Chris Davis, Greg Edens, Jr., and Austin Jones have practiced dentistry for many years. Partner with us, and you’ll enjoy access to decades of combined expertise in preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry.
Contact our caring team today to schedule your appointment!
