Choosing Between Dental Bonding and Porcelain Veneers

If your teeth have gaps, damage, or stains, your cosmetic solution to these problems may come down to a choice between dental bonding and porcelain veneers. Choosing the procedure that is right for you comes down to understanding the benefits and drawbacks of each procedure. What is right for one patient may not be right for you. Therefore, the choice between dental bonding and porcelain veneers depends upon you and your circumstance and preferences.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are widely acknowledged for their superior cosmetic results compared to those produced by other cosmetic options. The porcelain material is semi-translucent and layered to create a lifelike sheen that gives the veneers (thin shells of porcelain that are attached to your teeth) a realistic appearance. Veneers are also more durable than cosmetic bonding and may outlast bonding by several years. However, veneers are more expensive than dental bonding, and attaching them to teeth does require the sculpting of some tooth enamel, which some patients seek to avoid.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a procedure that reestablishes a tooth’s shape and appearance by applying a material called composite resin to them. Composite resin begins with a putty-like consistency. It can be tinted according to the exact color and shade of your teeth, and once it has been applied, the resin can be hardened with a curing light. Once hardened, composite resin becomes very durable, though not quite as resilient as porcelain veneers.

Which is Right for You?

Choosing between dental bonding and porcelain veneers, then, requires patients to consider exactly what they want out of their cosmetic transformations. Patients should also factor long-term costs (replacement/upkeep) into their decisions rather than choosing based on initial costs. Finally, a cosmetic consultation will allow us to talk you through your options and help you decide which procedure might best suit your needs.

ABOUT YOUR ARLINGTON HEIGHTS COSMETIC DENTIST:

Dr. Brent Engelberg and his highly-skilled team proudly serve patients and their families from Arlington Heights, IL, and all surrounding communities, including; Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, and the Northern and Northwest Chicago Suburbs. To learn more, schedule a consultation online, or call our office today at 847-259-8030.