Dental Bonding vs. Veneers

Dentistry in Miami and Coral Gables, Florida

Dental bonding and porcelain veneers are both ways to restore and reshape teeth, especially chipped or damaged teeth, but which one is right for you depends on a number of factors.

Dental bonding is a composite material, a plastic with ceramic material added for strength. It begins as a soft putty. The bonding is mixed to match your tooth color and applied to the tooth. The bonding is shaped to create an attractive appearance, then hardened with a curing light and polished. Depending on the amount of tooth you are replacing, it may take several layers of bonding to adequately restore the tooth.

Porcelain veneers are a different type of restoration, they are all-ceramic restorations that are bonded to the front and sometimes top of your teeth. Your tooth is prepared to accept the porcelain veneer, and a plaster cast is taken, which is sent to a dental lab for fabrication. In about two weeks, the lab will send back the completed veneer, which is then placed, sometimes after a subtle color matching.

Dental bonding has the advantage of being convenient. It can be completed in one visit so you do not have to live with a chipped tooth. It is also less expensive. However, porcelain veneers are more attractive, and they last longer. While a dental bonding restoration rarely lasts more than a couple years , porcelain veneers generally last more than ten years.

During your consultation with one of our cosmetic dentists, you can discuss your cosmetic goals and other factors to determine which type of restoration is right for you. Please contact Miami Designer Smiles today to schedule an appointment.