General and Cosmetic Dentistry Tips and News

Dental Bonding Composite laminate veneers vs. Dental Porcelain laminate Veneers: Which is Right for You?

By: | Tags: | Comments: 0 | December 11th, 2016

In addition to keeping your mouth healthy, your dentist can also improve your self confidence by helping you achieve a beautiful smile.

Cosmetic dental procedures such as dental bonding composite laminate veneers and dental porcelain laminate veneers are two ways to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile. Both procedures can fix chipped, spaced and broken teeth.

What are Dental Bonding Composite Veneers?

It is a cosmetic procedure to improve the appearance of a tooth or teeth. The procedure uses a composite resin to repair cracked, chipped teeth or to just improve the appearance of the teeth.

During the bonding procedure the dentist will use a liquid or gel to roughen the surface of the teeth to help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. After the surface of the tooth is prepped, the dentist will apply the colour matched resin to the tooth and shape the resin to match the surrounding teeth. Once the shaping is complete the resin is cured or hardened by using a light. The tooth is then polished to match the natural teeth.

Dental bonding may be the right procedure for you if you:

  • are aware dental bonding Composite veneers don’t last as long as dental porcelain veneers or other more expensive procedures
  • are aware that dental bonding materials may stain
  • don’t have time for multiple appointments for the procedure
  • know that dental bonding veneers require the same care as natural teeth
  • want a quick or inexpensive solution to cosmetic issues

What are Dental Porcelain Laminate Veneers?

Dental porcelain veneers are a cap attached to the teeth and are made of a customized porcelain material colour matched to your natural teeth. Dental veneers are typically used to make cosmetic changes to the appearance of the teeth including reducing gaps between teeth, fixing the appearance of chipped or cracked teeth, covering permanently stained or discoloured teeth due to tetracycline and flourosis, and changing the shape of misshapen or crooked teeth.

Dental porcelain veneers require at least two appointments, during the first appointment the dentist will prepare the teeth for veneers, take an impression (mould) and send to the lab for fabrication the veneers. A set of temporary veneers will bond to the teeth, while the permanent veneer is made at the lab. During the second appointment the veneer is permanently adhered to the teeth. Occasionally the veneers may have to be sent back to the lab, if this occurs the temporary veneer is left in place and another appointment will be scheduled.

Dental Porcelain veneers may be the right choice for you if you:

  • are aware dental veneers are more expensive than dental bonding
  • have the time for multiple appointments
  • know that dental porcelain requires the same care as natural teeth

When weighing the pros and cons of dental bonding and dental veneers it is important to take a few things into consideration. While dental bonding composite veneers is less expensive than porcelain veneers, dental bonding composite veneers is less durable than Porcelain veneers with typically lasting about 10 years before they will require replacement. In addition to the lifespan of the porcelain veneers, the composite resin is more prone to staining than dental porcelain veneers.

To learn more about Dental Bonding Veneers and Porcelain Veneers, please call 905.731.1871 today to schedule an appointment with a dentist at Dentistry For You.