Just as two different words can have similar meanings, two different dental procedures can be used to achieve similar results. Naturally, there are times when one dental procedure may be a more suitable alternative than another, but you can trust the advice of a cosmetic dentist in Boerne to ensure that you make the right choice for your smile.
When it is necessary to add beauty and strength to front teeth that are worn, cracked, chipped, or uneven, both porcelain veneers and resin bonding can produce impressive results. Both can be expertly shaded to match your enamel, and both can be used to add length or width to your natural teeth.
The bonding procedure can typically be completed in just one dental appointment for a fee that is considerably less than the cost of porcelain veneers. A pliable resin material is applied to the enamel and then light-cured to harden. The resin material can be contoured and polished to blend seamlessly with the enamel. The bonding procedure can be used to restore small portions of a single tooth or for broader coverage on several teeth.
Although bonding is faster and less expensive than veneers, it also tends to have a shorter lifespan and the resin material is naturally more porous than porcelain or real enamel, making these restorations more likely to accumulate stains over several years.
Porcelain veneers can be completed in a single dental visit with the help of an on-site milling unit, but most veneers are fabricated in off-site dental laboratories. If an off-site lab is used, the veneer process can require two dental visits separated by approximately 3 weeks. Regardless of the number of appointments, a porcelain veneer is a beautifully customized laminate shell that is placed over the front surface of the natural tooth. The porcelain is more durable and stain resistant than the resin bonding material, giving the veneer a longer lifespan and greater stain-resistance.
Resin bonding and porcelain veneers are just two options for creating a more attractive smile. Learn more about your choices by contacting a cosmetic dentist in Boerne today for a consultation.