Is Tooth Bonding Better Than Porcelain Veneers?

Modern dentistry has provided various alternatives to ensure that all patients can access a treatment that works for them to improve their smiles. Among the various solutions you can choose, tooth bonding and porcelain veneers are the most common.

What Is Tooth Bonding?

It is a dental procedure in cosmetic dentistry that repairs and rebuilds teeth enamels to improve a smile’s appearance. Dental bonding features a tooth-colored resin called composite that can substitute the damaged portion of the tooth enamel. A Dentist in Waco, TX, will mold the composite resin in different shapes and sizes to improve teeth’ shapes, sizes, spacing, and color.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

They are tooth-shaped and tooth-colored oral appliances that restore smiles by masking imperfections from the front side. A dental veneer mimics a tooth shape to completely cover the front surface to hide any flaws you may have. They are an incredible part of cosmetic dentistry for improving teeth’ color, sizes, spacing, and shapes.

​Difference Between Dental Bonding and Dental Veneers

Although both dental veneers and composite bonding are crucial procedures in cosmetic dentistry, they are not the same. There are key differences between the two cosmetic solutions, including the following:

1. Invasiveness of the treatment – tooth bonding in Waco, TX, is a non-invasive procedure for improving teeth’ appearance. The dentist does not have to prepare your teeth before the dental bonding procedure. Contrary, dental veneers entail an invasive procedure that involves trimming your tooth enamel from the front side to create space for the dental veneer.
2. Speed of treatment – composite bonding offers a quick fix to most dental imperfections. Meanwhile, it may take up to two weeks to complete your treatment with porcelain veneers near you as they are usually prepared in a dental laboratory.
3. Reversibility of the treatment – composite bonding does not damage your natural teeth. Therefore, you can reverse the procedure if you want. Unfortunately, there is no going back once you get dental veneers.
4. Material – dental bonding employs composite, while dental veneers usually feature porcelain. These materials differ in sturdiness and longevity.

​Which Lasts Longer Bonding or Veneers?

The durability of any dental procedure depends on the material in use. Ideally, porcelain is sturdier than composite. Therefore, porcelain oral appliances last longer than composite ones. Composite bonding can last between 5 and 7 years, while porcelain veneers last between 10 and 15 years. Still, with proper dental care measures, you can lengthen the life of your bonded or veneered teeth.

Tips to Make Bonded or Veneered Teeth Last Longer

Some of the tips that can help you improve your dental health while lengthening the durability of your bonded or veneered teeth are:

1. Maintain a clean mouth – the benefits of oral hygiene to your dental health are immeasurable. After you get porcelain veneers or composite bonding, cleaning your mouth is a way to ensure your teeth remain healthy.
2. Visit your dentist regularly – there’s only so much you can do for yourself at home. Every three to six months, you need the intervention of a dentist for routine dental exams and cleanings.
3. Eat healthily – foods and drinks directly impact your dental health as they interact directly with your teeth.
4. Mind your oral habits – some habits can be detrimental to your porcelain veneers and composites, like teeth-grinding and clenching or fingernail biting, which will crack and break your teeth.
5. Quit smoking and taking alcohol – tobacco and alcohol stain your natural teeth, leave alone porcelain veneers or composites.
6. Wear a mouth protector – protecting your mouth from forceful exertions can protect the structural integrity of your natural teeth, composites, and porcelain veneers. Your dentist can prescribe a night guard for protecting your teeth from the pressure of teeth grinding at night. During the day, wear a mouthguard, especially if you indulge in high-contact sports or intense physical exertions.

Summary

One of the technical questions we answer at Hillcrest Dental Care concerns which cosmetic treatment is the best. Ideally, none is better than the other because each works well to meet different preferences and needs. Besides, both dental bonding and porcelain veneers have advantages and disadvantages. The trick to choosing the best procedure for your smile is understanding the severity of your imperfections so you can determine the treatment that best meets your needs and preferences.