Bonding vs veneers pros and cons – A guide for London patients (Part 2)
13 December 2024
4 min read
Veneers Or Composite Bonding: Your Full Guide
+ Part 3: Price & expectations
BONDING VS VENEERS
In part one, we introduced porcelain veneers and composite bonding – two cosmetic dental treatments that have increased in popularity in recent years.
Veneers are tailor-made, super-thin porcelain surfaces placed on to the front of the teeth.
With composite bonding, dentists apply resin to teeth to correct imperfections.
Both treatments can be used to deal with issues such as gaps, cracked or chipped teeth and both can be used to change the size, shape and colour of your teeth.
This week, we will explore the strengths and weaknesses of the two treatments to help you understand which option may be best suited to your needs.
COMPOSITE BONDING ADVANTAGES
Compared with many other cosmetic dental treatments, composite bonding is a cost-effective option. We will discuss more about its affordability in part three.
It’s also a procedure that’s non-invasive.
In other words, there’s no need to remove any existing tooth structure.
With composite bonding, patients can usually enjoy an immediate improvement because treatment is often finished in one visit.
Composite bonding disadvantages
Relatively speaking, composite bonding can be thought of as a slightly more shorter-term solution and may not last as long as porcelain veneers.
If not well maintained, it can be more prone to absorbing stains from certain foods and drinks such as wine or coffee.
And bonding can require more maintenance – such as touch-ups – from the dentist and may need replacing more quickly than porcelain veneers.
PORCELAIN VENEEERS ADVANTAGES
Porcelain veneers are considered to be a more durable solution and, if you take good care of them, they can last for very many years.
They’re also known for their resistance to staining because porcelain is non-porous.
Custom-made porcelain veneers create a “perfect” smile.
Porcelain veneers disadvantages
However, veneers are more expensive than composite bonding, a factor we will explore in greater detail in part three.
Also, the overall treatment process can take several weeks including consultations, design, fabrication and final placement.
In some cases, dentists need to remove a tiny amount of natural tooth structure before they can place the veneers.
HOW TO CHOOSE PORCELAIN VENEERS OR COMPOSITE BONDING
When looking at these two options, it’s crucial to consider budget, your oral health and what you would like to achieve aesthetically.
In the third and final part of this series, we will take an in depth look at the cost of these procedures as well as what to expect during treatment.
