Dental Veneers and Bonding Solutions

Image of a banner from NFD "Veneers vs Dental Bonding." What is the best solution.

Perfectly white, straight teeth are generally associated with celebrities and those that have a lot of money. But, now it is becoming increasingly more common for people of all financial classes to invest in their smile. For the most part, veneers are well known to the world as a form of cosmetic dentistry that can fix uneven and damaged teeth. However, in some cases, individuals may find a more significant benefit with dental bonding. Dental veneers and bonding solutions have so much to offer. So, which one is right for you?

Imgae of a happy woman after dental bonding.

Dental Veneers and Bonding Solutions: What are the benefits?

If you need an excellent option for fixing small imperfections on the teeth, dental bonding is a great option. Dental bonding can fix things small inperfections, such as small gaps and chips.

In some cases, bonding can protect the root of a tooth caused by receding gums, or it can even fix an isolated tooth discoloration problem.

The bonding material, typically resin, is applied to each tooth and molded into the desired shape. However, if you are looking for an exact color match to your existing teeth, dental bonding may not be as effective as a teeth whitening treatment or placing dental veneers, which might be other options. On the whole, dental bonding does seem to be the cheaper option between the two procedures when comparing bonding to veneers.

Image of a dental veneer. The example shown is a digital illustration.

Veneers: What makes these an ideal option?

Veneers can give you that picture perfect smile, just like the ones you see in a magazine. In general, veneers are used for many smile makeovers and are an excellent option for teeth that are severely discolored, misaligned, too narrow, and even for those that are too short.

In short, a veneer is an extremely strong, but thin covering that fits entirely over the tooth. Taking a mold of your natural teeth to make the veneers ensures the perfect fit. While there are many types of veneers, the most popular choice in material is porcelain. Other materials such as high shine resin can be used and is often cheaper than porcelain. There are many things you should remember about veneers. The most important is that your teeth and gums must be healthy before performing this type of treatment. Any root canal infection, tooth decay, or gum disease can all compromise successful completion. If you have had any of these concerns in the past but they have been treated, it is possible for you to proceed with veneer treatment. Ultimately, a consultation with our Lincoln cosmetic dentist would be needed to determine the right option(s) for you.

Image of a young woman thinking about dental veneers and bonding solutions.

How often do dental veneers last?

When trying to determine what may be right for you, do know that when you choose veneers, it is a permanent procedure. What does this mean? Getting veneers, should not be something you decide on a whim. Should you decide to proceed with veneers, a small layer of the tooth’s enamel is removed and is therefore extremely difficult to reverse. Lifestyle, diet, and daily habits may mean that your veneers will need to be replaced every ten to fifteen years. If down the road, you decide veneers are no longer for you, you will likely require a significant restoration of the teeth, and that process will probably be very costly and lengthy.

Bright smile from a young man after learning about dental veneers and bonding solutions.

What makes you a good candidate for veneers?

While money will undoubtedly make anyone a good candidate for any procedure, other more critical factors will determine a person’s eligibility for veneers. What does this mean? First, you will need a consultation, to make sure all criteria are met such as healthy gums and teeth. A dentist will also likely look back at your history in search of other relevant information. For example, do you grind your teeth? If you do grind your teeth, porcelain veneers may not be for you. The force of grinding can severely damage veneers.

Does dental insurance cover dental veneers?

Unfortunately, dental insurance does not cover the cost of dental veneers.

Image of a bright, positive smile from a young woman after learning about dental veneers and bonding solutions in Lincoln, NE at Nebraska Family Dentistry.

Veneers vs. Dental Bonding: The Differences Explained

The differences in dental veneers and bonding solutions are pretty recognizable; here are a few of the most significant differences:

Materials. Dental bonding uses a resin that is tooth colored, and veneers use a high shine resin material or porcelain.

Tooth preparation. Preparing the tooth is a very crucial part of the procedure. With dental bonding, the teeth need to have a surface that is rough so that the material can adhere to the teeth, which is made possible by a specific solution. On the other hand, veneers require a more in-depth preparation process that will result in the removal of a thin layer of enamel. Removing enamel ensures that the veneers can sit on the teeth evenly.

Time. The time required for each treatment is another big difference. Since veneers are created from molds and are an exact match so to speak, they can take some time to perfect. Typically, it takes two visits to complete. On the other hand, dental bonding can be achieved in a single visit because the bonding material adheres directly to the tooth and no mold is needed.

Durability. Veneers are more durable and last longer than bonding.

Color match. Veneers have a better color match and do not stain or change color. Bonding on front teeth usually stains quickly and the teeth look darker over time. Bonding is excellent for small areas.

Price. When it comes down to it, price, maybe the most significant difference. In comparison, dental bonding is generally the more affordable option depending upon how many teeth are requiring treatment. Sometimes, insurance may cover bonding if, for example, you accidentally chip your tooth. Remember though, all insurance policies are different, and what insurance covers for one person, they may not cover for you and vice versa. Veneers are typically the more expensive option and in most cases are considered cosmetic.

Still a bit unsure about what you should do? Here are some more commonly asked questions about dental bonding versus veneers…

Image of a dental chair at NFD in Lincoln, NE.

Dental Veneers and Bonding Solutions Explained: What are the differences?

Bonding does stain, unlike veneers, which don’t. Porcelain veneers and dental bonding and are two different that you can still achieve a very similar result. Generally, veneers are used to correct discolored, misaligned, and broken/chipped teeth. Bonding is used to repair small imperfections and not meant for fixing multiple gaps or misaligned teeth.

Curious young man wondering about dental veneers and bonding solutions in Lincoln, NE.

Is dental bonding cheaper than veneers?

Bonding is often less expensive than porcelain veneers if the work required is minimal to moderate. However, in the event, you opt for a complete smile makeover, it would not be a great option.

woman curious about dental veneers and bonding solutions in Lincoln, NE.

Do veneers cover the whole tooth?

Both veneers and crowns are effective in improving the aesthetic appearance of teeth. Generally, a veneer is made of wafer-thin porcelain, which is bonded directly to the front of a tooth. Color-matched porcelain is used, thus matching your natural teeth and giving you an outstanding smile.

caring dental team at NFD in Lincoln, NE

Can you put veneers over bonding?

Yes, you can put a porcelain veneer over a tooth that originally had composite bonding. A veneer is bonded to the teeth with a type of composite cement making it possible for this to be done.

If you want to restore your smile, be sure to do your research. Learn as much as possible about dental veneers and bonding solutions. In the end, it will be a discussion between you and your cosmetic dentist that will be most important. Aside from answering questions about dental veneers and bonding solutions, your “dentist near me” can also tell you if your teeth are good candidates. While neither of these procedures may be for everyone, one of them may be perfect for you. You really can have the smile of your dreams!

Dr. Sydney Joyce

This article was written by Dr. Sydney Joyce, your cosmetic dentist in Lincoln, NE. Cosmetic dentistry is something that I love. If you want to give your smile a boost, please call or stop by. I would love to discuss dental veneers and bonding solutions with you!

Request an appointment with this Lincoln, NE cosmetic dentist 24/7 using our online option. Dr. Sydney Joyce proudly offers quality cosmetic treatment in a comfortable environment at her South Dental clinic location of Nebraska Family Dentistry.