When you are trying to improve the look of your smile cosmetically there are several options before you. These include both veneers and bonding. But which is right for your situation? Depending on the restoration needs of your teeth and your budget, one option will be better than the other for you.
Veneers
Veneers are used to create a more uniform look for your teeth. Made out of porcelain, these are custom designed to fit your teeth. These thin prosthodontic tools are bonded to the front of your teeth to cover stains, cracks or unevenness. These can make a dramatic change without drawing attention to the fact that you’ve had cosmetic dentistry done.
Veneers are durable, but they do need to get replaced eventually. Factoring in the time and cost this requires over the years is an important part of making the decision to get veneers.
Budgeting for veneers is important as they can cost around $1000-2000 per tooth, or even as high as $40,000 to have an entire replacement. Understanding the costs is an important part of choosing veneers.
Bonding
Bonding is a similar concept to veneers, except that it is not a single solid piece adhered to the front of the tooth. Instead, your dentist uses a composite resin to reshape your broken or cracked tooth. The color of the resin can be adjusted to match the natural color of your teeth.
Dentists apply this resin directly on top of your teeth without filling them down like veneers. Though they will rough up the surface slightly, your tooth is more or less intact while the resin gets shaped to repair the tooth. Using a UV light to harden the resin, your practitioner forms a new part of your tooth.
Like veneers, bonding has a shelf life. Depending on which tooth it is applied to, it may last between 5-10 years and then need to be replaced. Costs are significantly less expensive for bonding repairs compared to veneers, as these can be done for as low as $300.
What’s Best for You?
With two great options for upgrading the look of your smile, which one will work best for you?
Veneers are an excellent choice for those who are looking for a blank slate when it comes to the look of their teeth. Whether they are going into a role that involves performance such as acting, modeling, or television hosting or they are looking to restore years of damage to their teeth, veneers can give them a fresh start and a uniform look.
For someone that only has one or two problem areas, however, bonding can be the quick, simple fix that works best for them. Using resin to repair a single chipped tooth is much less intensive—and less expensive!— than going in for veneers.
If you are looking to upgrade the appearance of your teeth, choosing between veneers and bonding will depend on the variables of your particular case. Dr. Hersh can help walk you through the options when you make an appointment at Advanced Prosthodontics. Call (610) 865-4222 to schedule today!