Porcelain Veneers versus Dental Bonding

There are many different treatment options we can use to improve the overall health and beauty of your smile. When it comes to chips and cracks on the teeth, dental bonding and porcelain veneers have both proven extremely popular for years. The best option for you may vary based on a number of different factors, however. The team at our Shreveport cosmetic dentistry center would like to take a moment right now to look at some of the basics regarding dental bonding and porcelain veneers. By comparing the two, we hope to give you a basic understanding of how your dental care needs can best be met.

About Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a cosmetic dentistry treatment option that can help mask minor chips, cracks, and stains from view. It consists of the use of special composite resin applied directly to the tooth.

During dental bonding treatment, the tooth is thoroughly cleaned first. Once that is completed, the tooth is then carefully scuffed on the treatment area in order for the bonding material to adhere better. The dentist will then paint the composite bonding resin onto the tooth. This resin is then dried and carefully buffed so that it blends in seamlessly with the patient's natural tooth structure.

Good Candidates for Dental Bonding

The best candidates for dental bonding are people who have minor chips and cracks on their teeth, who have noticeable stains, or who have very small cavities. These candidates for treatment should be in good dental health otherwise.

About Porcelain Veneers

Shreveport porcelain veneers are thin ceramic shells that are affixed to the front portions of a patient's teeth. They are ideal for addressing:

• Chipped teeth
• Cracked teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Stained teeth
• Tooth gaps
• Minor tooth misalignment

During the porcelain veneers procedure, a small amount of tooth material is removed from the front portion of the tooth. An impression is then taken of the prepped tooth, from which the porcelain veneer is fashioned. The dentist will then adhere the porcelain veneer in place and make final adjustments so that it is undetectable.

Good Candidates for Porcelain Veneers

Ideal candidates for porcelain veneers are people with minor issues related to chips, cracks, stains, and misalignment of their teeth. As with candidates for dental bonding, these patients should be in otherwise good dental health.

Weighing Porcelain Veneers Against Tooth Bonding

In terms of pure aesthetics and versatility, porcelain veneers may seem like a better treatment option, but that's not necessarily the case. Tooth bonding may be more ideal for some patients, and it doesn't involve removal of tooth material as the porcelain veneer procedure does. (Ideally, the more conservative the treatment, the better.)

When you stop by our practice to learn more about your treatment options, we will be sure to bring up both dental bonding and porcelain veneers in full detail, and we will also discuss alternatives such as teeth whitening and advanced restorative techniques. By giving you all of this information, we hope that you can make the best decision possible.

Learn More About Advanced Smile Makeover Treatments

For more information about porcelain veneers, dental bonding, and many other smile makeover options, be sure to contact our Shreveport and Bossier City family dental care centers today. Our entire team looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you achieve the smile that you have always wanted.