Damaged teeth can put a real dent in your smile. Do you have to live with chipped teeth, cracked teeth, or discolored teeth? You don’t, thanks to dental bonding and veneers. But which one is right for you?

The choice between teeth bonding vs. veneers can be tough, depending on how many teeth need repairs. Summit Dental Partners can help you weigh your options and figure out which is best for you and your oral health. 

The best way to start is with knowledge. What is the difference between dental bonding vs. veneers? Are direct composite bonds vs. veneers different from indirect bonding? Let Summit Dental Partners give you the answers! 

What Is Teeth Bonding? 

Teeth bonding, also called dental bonding or cosmetic bonding, is a way to repair flaws in an individual tooth or reshape a worn or deformed tooth. A composite material is used to repair flaws in the tooth. The material can be tinted to match the color of the tooth, making it difficult to tell that the tooth was ever damaged. 

The composite material varies, but a resin compound with a ceramic filler is one of the most common forms of composite bonding. Formulas and materials can vary, but they all combine to give your tooth a natural look. 

There are two main types of composite bonding — direct bonding and indirect bonding. 

Direct Bonding

Direct bonding is a process in which the composite material is applied directly to the tooth. This works best with small tooth flaws, including chips, cracks, and small breaks. The advantage is that direct bonding can be done in-office, usually in one visit. 

Indirect Bonding

Indirect bonding involves taking a mold of the tooth and recreating part of the tooth in the lab using composite materials, then bonding that part to the tooth. This method is used when larger parts of the tooth are missing or need repair. 

Unlike direct bonding, this method happens in a lab and may take several visits to complete. For this reason, it isn’t as common as direct bonding. 

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Veneers are thin shells bonded to the front of the tooth to cover any flaws. They are most often used when remaking a smile or repairing several teeth in a row. Veneers are most often made of porcelain, although they can also be made of resin. 

Porcelain veneers are considered permanent because they involve removing a thin layer of enamel from the front of the teeth to make room for the shells. Teeth without veneers afterward would be sensitive and vulnerable to tooth decay. 

Porcelain veneers are durable and can be matched to your natural tooth color, but they can also be made to give your teeth a whiter look. Veneers are usually used to cover several teeth at once, giving your smile a full makeover. 

There are two types of veneers: 

• Porcelain veneers are made of a porcelain/silica material that is durable, stain-resistant, and can save money over time because they last longer than most other options. Porcelain veneers that are well cared for can last up to 10-20 years.
• Resin veneers are made of a composite resin material and cost less initially than porcelain veneers. However, they tend to last about half of the time of porcelain veneers, which can make them more expensive in the long run. They also are less durable and less stain-resistant. They tend to last about 5-7 years. 

Summit Dental Partners prefers to use porcelain veneers because of their look and durability. We want to provide the best options for our patients, and we know from experience how well porcelain veneers look and endure. 

Veneers vs. Bonding

When it comes to teeth bonding vs. veneers, which is better for you? Let’s do a comparison to give you an idea of which option is better for which situation. 

Timeline 

When it comes to tooth bonding vs. veneers, bonding wins this race hands down. Bonding requires prepping the tooth by removing or smoothing down damage and applying the composite resin, then using a special light to help it dry and bond faster. The entire process can be done in one visit and usually takes about an hour. 

Veneers, on the other hand, can take up to two weeks to complete. Your teeth must be prepared by removing a thin layer of enamel. You will be fitted with temporary veneers until the permanent ones are made. Then, the temporary veneers are removed and the permanent ones are put in their place. 

Appearance

Appearance between veneers vs. bonding is nearly the same. Both are designed to give your tooth a clean, natural look. Composite bonding can help cover flaws and reshape your tooth unless the flaws are too big to cover. In those cases, porcelain veneers will do a better job of covering everything and giving your tooth the proper color and shape. 

Over time, however, porcelain veneers will hold their look better. That’s because composite resin can stain like natural teeth. If you do not care for your teeth properly, they can discolor or the resin can, leaving you with an uneven look. 

Veneers are also better when closing large gaps between teeth. Tooth bonding can close the smaller gaps, but trying to close large gaps can give the tooth an unnatural, odd look. 

Longevity

Dental bonding can last about 5-10 years, depending on how well you care for your teeth. It isn’t as durable or stain-resistant as veneers, so you will have to take care of your teeth. This includes brushing after consuming stain-causing foods and drinks, including coffee, tea, wine, sodas, tomato sauces, fruit juices, chocolate, and dark-colored berries. 

It’s also recommended that you don’t smoke, vape, or use tobacco products, because chemicals in the smoke can stain your teeth and the composite resin. 

Porcelain veneers are stronger, more durable, and more stain-resistant than dental bonding. While resin veneers only last about 5-7 years, porcelain veneers can last an average of 15-20 with proper care. 

Budget

Dental bonding with composite resin is less of a process, and therefore less expensive, than veneers. Dental bonding costs an average of $300-$600 per tooth. However, because it doesn’t last as long, you‘ll have to pay that price more often. 

Porcelain veneers are a more detailed process and last longer than dental bonding. As a result, veneers can cost on average $900-$2,500 per tooth. 

Tooth Bonding vs. Veneers in Summit, NJ

Whether you need dental bonding or porcelain veneers in Summit, NJ, Summit Dental Partners can remake your smile with these cosmetic dentistry options you’ll be proud to show off. Schedule an appointment today to see how we can restore your smile!