Dental bonding and veneers can both be used to correct a wide range of cosmetic flaws in your teeth, such as cracks, gaps, shortened teeth, and misshapen teeth. Veneers are porcelain shells that are bonded to your natural teeth while bonding is done with a composite resin that is shaped and then hardened into place with a special UV light.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both procedures. Veneers require some removal of healthy tooth structure to create a properly sculpted site to cement the veneers firmly. Veneers usually require two visits to complete the procedure; the veneers must be custom-created to fit your teeth, and the teeth must be prepped before the veneers can be manufactured. You will need to wear temporary veneers during this process.
Bonding can be done directly onto the tooth with very little prep work and minimal loss of healthy tooth material. The composite is soft and shapeable until it is cured, allowing Dr. Delwiche to craft it into the desired appearance in a single visit. However, bonding is not as strong or durable as porcelain veneers. For this reason, bonding is usually recommended for more minor cosmetic repairs.
Ultimately, the choice between veneers and bonding depends on your individual situation and the desired outcome. Our dental office in Santa Rosa, CA will be happy to schedule you a consultation to determine whether bonding or veneers is the solution you’re looking for!