Telling the Twins Apart: Veneers VS Teeth Bonding

To conceal an imperfection, the solution should be effective and natural. How do veneers and teeth bonding score against each other when it comes to their appearance?

In general, porcelain veneers do a better job mimicking a more natural shade as well as the anatomy of your teeth as they are custom-made. The porcelain material for veneers is more resistant to stains too. Teeth bonding, on the other hand, uses a tooth-coloured resin material that is more porous and this makes it more susceptible to stains, especially from cigarettes as well as beverages such as coffee and tea.

Both options conceal imperfections by applying the material directly to your teeth. However, there is a vast difference in the procedures when it comes to applying the material to the shape of your teeth.

For teeth bonding, your dentist will apply the resin material to an imperfect tooth and shape it by hand. The material is then hardened using a special light. This freehand method is not as precise as compared to its custom-made counterpart and this is why it is important to have a skilled dentist to perform the procedure.

Porcelain veneers involve more preparation and precision whereby your dentist will scan or take a mould of your teeth prior to creating your customised veneers. This would mean that each veneer is made to fit your teeth perfectly and conceal its imperfections precisely.

Now, if there is some urgency to concealing your smile, teeth bonding is no doubt the quicker option. In as quick as a single session, you will walk out of the dental clinic with a new smile! Of course, if there are several teeth involved, it may require more visits to the dentist but nonetheless, teeth bonding remains the quicker option as compared to porcelain veneers.

Porcelain veneers will require multiple trips to the dentist but, it is worth the trouble if you’re hoping for a more natural smile. For one, due to the customised treatment, your dentist will first need a mould of your teeth as mentioned earlier, before creating the veneers. Secondly, during the treatment process, your dentist will need to shave off a thin layer of your teeth’s enamel prior to adhering the veneer to your teeth.

While both options are not permanent, you will want to prolong the results of the treatment before getting them replaced.

As both options use different materials, there will be differences in each durability and strength.

In general, teeth bonding does not last as long as porcelain veneers. It is no doubt a strong option but if you were to compare the two, teeth bonding is more susceptible to fractures. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, are tough and they generally last until debonding (when the veneers fall off) happens. Of course, the durability of each option also depends on how well you care for your teeth.

We’re going to cut to the chase here and share that porcelain veneers are more costly than teeth bonding. While cost is typically one of the biggest deciding factors, it should however not be the sole deciding factor.

It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each procedure based on the factors mentioned above. Veneers may cost more but they give you a more natural result, are less prone to stains, and are more durable. Teeth bonding, on the other hand, is pocket-friendly and fast but factors such as its appearance and durability should be taken into account too.

Ultimately, all factors must be weighed in before making your decision – porcelain veneers or teeth bonding?