Dental Bonding or Porcelain Veneers?
We all understand the importance of a healthy mouth full of strong teeth. However, even a healthy mouth can be cause for embarrassment if cosmetic flaws are present. Cosmetic dentist Daniel M. Whiteman offers his patients the services they need to not only improve oral health, but also to improve the aesthetics of the smile. At Whiteman Dental Associates, we want all our patients to have a smile that leaves them feeling proud and confident. For our Brookline patients, dental bonding and porcelain veneers are two cosmetic treatments that can erase the signs of cosmetic blemishes to leave teeth looking beautiful. While both treatments are effective, the most appropriate treatment for each patient will be largely dependent on the extent of flaws that are present.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is one of the simplest cosmetic treatments and does not require any permanent changes to be made to the structure of the teeth. As such, it is also one of the most affordable. Dental bonding treatment involves covering surface flaws and blemishes with a tooth-colored bonding material. This material is placed over the blemished tooth and then shaped and smoothed so that it blends in with the natural teeth. The material is then hardened in order to provide the patient with strength and durability. Dental bonding allows Dr. Whiteman to restore beauty to teeth that have been affected by chips, cracks, stains, discoloration, or gaps. Dental bonding treatment can be completed in a single appointment of roughly half an hour. While the bonding material that is used for treatment is strong, it is vulnerable to chipping and treatment will likely need to be repeated in the future.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are restorations that are adhered to the surface of the teeth with a strong dental bonding material. In order to accommodate the veneers, the teeth will be filed down. Although the enamel that is removed is minimal, it does alter the teeth, making porcelain veneers an irreversible dental treatment. However, for those with a flawed smile, porcelain veneers offer the benefit of a complete smile makeover in a single treatment. Porcelain veneers are fabricated to the exact specifications of each patient so they give patients the appearance of straight, white teeth while concealing any flaws such as discoloration and stains, chips and cracks, gaps, and alignment problems. Because veneers are composed of such a strong material, they can last up to 20 years.
What’s Right for Me?
Dental bonding and porcelain veneers are both effective cosmetic treatments with their own unique benefits. When deciding which treatment is better suited for patients, Dr. Whiteman often considers the amount of repair that is required. For a patient with just a minimal amount of cosmetic flaws, dental bonding offers a simple and affordable solution. However, when many teeth are flawed or when the blemishes are severe, porcelain veneers can effectively restore the entire mouth with a single treatment that is often completed in just two dental appointments. Dr. Whiteman will examine the teeth and discuss each patient’s unique needs in order to make an expert recommendation for appropriate treatment.
Schedule an Appointment
If your smile is blemished by cosmetic flaws, schedule an appointment with Dr. Daniel Whiteman at your earliest convenience to learn how we can help you achieve your ideal smile. Through cosmetic treatment, Dr. Whiteman can erase cosmetic blemishes and leave you with a bright, white, beautiful smile.
