Is there a difference between bonding and veneers or are they the same thing?
Elizabeth F.- Maryland
Elizabeth,
Though both bonding and veneers are cosmetic procedures that require a high level of expertise, they are very different.
- Dental Bonding is more of a temporary solution. A tooth colored composite material is placed on your teeth and shaped to match your existing tooth structure. It is generally used to fix things like minor gaps and small chips. The bonding will last, at most, a few years. After that it will begin chipping and staining. The materials need to be matched to you tooth structure, including the coloring. This is generally done freehand.
- Porcelain Veneers are a more permanent solution, lasting decades instead of months or years. These are thin porcelain shells. They are bonded to the front of your teeth. The porcelain is made either by the dentist or by an outside lab who follows your dentist’s instructions. These can change the size, color, even the shape of your teeth and can completely remake your smile.
Choosing A Cosmetic Dentist
Whichever procedure you choose, the more important thing is the level of artistry and expertise in the dentist you choose. There is not a recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry, so any general dentist can learn a few cosmetic procedures and call themselves a cosmetic dentist.
There are many cosmetic horror stories of people who went in to get a gorgeous new smile and ended up with something worse than they started with. There is no recourse for an ugly smile makeover either. The only standard for getting a refund is if the smile is no longer functioning.
I’d look for a dentist who is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Accredited is different than just being a member. Only about the top cosmetic dentists reach the accredited level. Every one of them will be able to give you an absolutely stunning smile.
This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.