Difference Between Dental Bonding and Dental Veneers

When considering dental bonding in savage minnesota or veneers, there are a few things to consider before making a decision. With either treatment, whitening a week or two prior to restoration can be beneficial, especially if you are looking for cosmetic improvements. Here, we will review the main differences between composite bonding and veneers.

Dental bonding uses a composite resin material to restore a tooth. It can be used anywhere a veneer can and is generally less invasive. Many dentists use bonding material to fill cavities because it can be tinted to match the surrounding tooth. This is referred to as a tooth-colored restoration and is preferable to amalgam fillings which are rapidly becoming a thing of the past!

To ready your tooth for bonding in the event of a cavity, the decay is removed and composite resin material put in place to restore the integrity of the tooth. When the bonding is being aesthetically placed on the front surface of the tooth, an etching solution is applied to roughen the surface to ensure proper adhesion of the composite material. Once the desired shape is achieved, the material is cured and polished to a natural shine.

You can expect it to last between three and five years, maybe less on a front tooth. For the most part, bonding is medically necessary and veneers are considered cosmetic so insurance my cover bonding where it does not cover veneers. Per tooth, you can expect to pay between $250 and $900.

A veneer is made from thin porcelain and is bonded onto the surface of a tooth. It is stronger and does not stain. Where bonding cannot repair vertical fractures, veneers cover the majority of the tooth and are able to hold the tooth together. Porcelain veneers can last up to 20 years and are a more permanent solution though it does require that the tooth be shaved down a bit. Per tooth, porcelain veneers can cost between $900 and $2,500.

Composite veneers cover the front surface of the tooth and do not require the tooth to be shaved down at all but the tooth is etched using an etching material so that the composite adheres properly. Composite veneers are significantly less costly but they can stain and do not last as long, usually between three and five years. Per tooth, composite veneers can cost up to $900.

Speak with your dentist to determine if you are a candidate for veneers or bonding. If you are a patient that suffers from grinding or clenching your teeth in your sleep, you may be better off with porcelain restorations. You should also ask your dentist about a night guard to help ease the pressure you apply to your teeth while grinding or clenching.

The choice is ultimately yours to make but keep in mind the longevity of porcelain versus composite. You can easily spend more repairing and replacing composite in the long run.

More on Dental Bonding : Bonding to Repair Gaps Between Teeth