While there are literally countless treatments out there that can enhance the appearance of your smile, by far two of the most popular are cosmetic bonding and veneers. Over the decades, these two procedures alone have given millions of people flawless smiles, ranging from movie stars to working parents and anyone else you can imagine. So, if you’re thinking about getting some cosmetic dental work, they should definitely be on your radar. Which one would be right for you? What is the main difference between veneers and bonding? Choosing may seem complicated at first, but you really only need to think about three main factors.
Factor 1: What Do You Want to Correct?
Are you getting cosmetic dentistry to fix a single broken tooth, or are you hoping to completely makeover your smile to take care of several issues at once (such as stains, chips, gaps, etc.)?
For minor issues, cosmetic bonding is certainly the way to go, as it allows your dentist to sculpt an individual tooth to perfection in as little as an hour.
Bigger changes are best handled by veneers, as they can be placed on multiple teeth at the same time to not only mask their shortcomings, but completely change the shape, size, and contour of your smile.
Factor 2: Timeline
When do you want your new smile to be ready? Do you have a special event that’s just right around the corner, or are you willing to go through a longer process to ensure a gorgeous result?
As mentioned above, most cosmetic bonding treatments only take about an hour from start to finish. Local anesthetic is typically not needed, so you won’t even have to contend with lasting numbness following your appointment—your renewed smile will be quickly ready for the world!
With veneers, the process is a little more involved and may take at least two appointments and a few weeks to complete. The veneers have to be designed just for you and fabricated by an outside lab. While they require more time, they are able to deliver more dramatic changes compared to bonding.
Factor 3: Budget
As friendly as cosmetic dentists are these days, they aren’t simply giving away their services. And, because most cosmetic procedures are not covered by dental insurance, you’ll likely need to pay for your treatment out-of-pocket (though most offices offer some type of financing to make this much easier).
In short, cosmetic bonding is much more affordable compared to veneers. While the price can vary for both depending on what type of issues you are correcting and the materials used, this fact is universal. If you want a smile makeover on a budget, then bonding is unquestionably the right choice. But, if you can afford them, veneers are definitely worth the investment, as they can deliver bigger changes and easily last for 15-20 years (bonding tends to last for about a decade on average).
The Big Decision
Thankfully, you don’t have to make this call on your own. While considering these 3 factors can help point you in the right direction, it’s always wise to consult a cosmetic dentist before making any hard decisions. They may recommend another treatment you haven’t considered or offer a payment plan that makes veneers much more affordable.
Either way, both of these treatments are proven to deliver fantastic results, so you really can’t go wrong!
About the Author
Dr. Allan Mohr is a cosmetic dentist based in Massapequa who has been practicing for over 30 years. He is considered one of the leading experts in the country when it comes to aesthetic dentistry, and he has used cosmetic bonding and veneers to provide some truly stunning smile makeovers. To schedule a FREE consultation to learn more about what he could do for you, click here.