The difference between bonding and veneers

Dental veneers are thin shells made to be attached to the front of teeth, often made out of porcelain or a composite resin. Porcelain veneers are more durable than composite resin veneers, and they don’t change colour, nor stain! Getting porcelain veneers take usually at least two dental visits to put on, and composite resin ones can be done in a single visit. Porcelain veneers will usually last longer than composite resin ones.

How are veneers and dental bonding applied?

In dental bonding,  the dentist coats the front surface of the tooth that is to be veneered, making it slightly rough to ensure the veneer will adhere better to the enamel of the tooth. The veneer matches the colour of your own teeth, blending in with them. The dentist will layer the composite resin on your tooth. A light is used to harden each layer of composite resin. After the last layer of composite resin is hardened, your dentist shapes it to form your tooth.

With porcelain veneers, local anesthetic, which is freezing, probably necessary. The dentist will remove a thin layer of the enamel on your teeth to make room for the veneers. Next, a mold is taken of your teeth and used to custom-make porcelain veneers. Until they’re ready, your dentist may place temporary veneers to replace the portion of the tooth that was removed. These are worn until your porcelain veneers are ready. The temporary veneers are very fragile and need to be treated gently during eating and cleaning as they come loose very easily.

On your next visit, your dentist removes the temporary veneers and puts a mild chemical on your teeth to make them a little rough. This helps the porcelain veneers stick to your teeth better. The porcelain veneers are then glued to your teeth one by one, using composite resin cement.

Can veneers look like real teeth?

Once your veneers have been installed correctly, it’s hard to differentiate teeth if standing within the social distance. Because they are made from porcelain, they are significantly more resistant to coffee, cigarette or soda stains. When you want the ultimate in customized dental solutions, veneers are an excellent choice that are both flexible and durable for everyday use.