The Difference Between Veneers and Bonding

Your teeth form your smile, help you eat and speak, and provide a window into your overall health. Teeth do so much for you, but as strong as they are, things can happen to them. 

It’s not only people who smoke and have sugar-filled diets who are at risk for developing tooth decay and other dental issues though. While poor oral hygiene can hurt your teeth, there are options to restore them. 

Dr. Faye Licata of Licata Dental offers high-quality care for patients whose teeth need rescue and special care. Dr. Licata has options to restore your smile to its brightness and strength while protecting your dental health. 

What are my options?

If your teeth have cosmetic issues, Licata Dental has several solutions for your damaged or discolored teeth. Among the most popular are veneers and bonding.

Veneers

Veneers are thin, porcelain covers customized to match your surrounding teeth. At your first appointment, Dr. Licata works with you to understand your smile goals. She removes a tiny bit of your tooth enamel to make room for your veneers. At the next appointment, your veneers are placed over a gently-altered tooth with dental cement and sealed with a special light. 

Bonding

With dental bonding, Dr. Licata prepares a resin solution. She customizes the resin to match the color of your tooth and prepares the surface of your tooth with a small device. This device makes the surface of your tooth rough, and when the resin is ready, she carefully puts it into place. Resin sticks to your tooth, creating a protective shield. 

Veneers and bonding are both great options to repair your teeth, but the best option for you depends on your specific dental issues and goals. 

What are the major differences?

Veneers and bonding have the same overall purpose of repairing and restoring your smile, but the two techniques have some differences in their cost and durability.

Cost

The cost of a veneer is typically a lot more than the cost of bonding. If you need multiple veneers, you could be looking at a hefty bill. Veneers are also typically considered cosmetic procedures by insurance, so they may not cover it, but be sure to check with your insurer. 

While bonding is not inexpensive either, choosing an experienced professional like Dr. Licata who has years of experience will make your smile stronger and more attractive. 

Durability

You will have to replace your veneers every decade or so. Dental bonding typically lasts for 5-10 years, but may take you right back to your original problem with discoloration. Whether you choose bonding or veneers, you will not have to alter your oral health care routine.

Contact us if you’d like to discuss veneers or bonding. Or if you have an urgent dental need, like a cracked tooth or a decayed tooth that’s causing you pain, we have solutions that can restore your teeth. Call us for an appointment at 636-532-2101 or book a visit online.