Dental Veneers Vs. Composite Bonding: A Comparison

Scroll through social media, watch reality TV, and walk down the street; the results of cosmetic dentistry are everywhere. There has never been a time when people have enjoyed smile-enhancing treatments so readily. You don’t have to be an A-lister to have a beautiful award-winning smile. 

Dental veneers and composite bonding are two very different cosmetic treatments; however, they can both fix many of the same issues. 

Each procedure has its own great set of benefits, but which is right for you?

This article compares dental veneers vs composite bonding, discussing what each treatment can fix, what to expect from the two procedures and the benefits of both options. 

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin porcelain shells that coat the visible areas of your teeth. We use porcelain that matches the colour and texture of your teeth, so your veneers will look flawlessly natural. 

We can use veneers to cover teeth with chips, cracks, discolouration, and stains. Porcelain veneers provide a uniform appearance, closing small gaps and making slightly misaligned teeth appear straight. 

What is Composite Bonding?

While dental veneers are often discussed, composite bonding doesn’t get as much attention. Composite bonding uses a soft, tooth-coloured resin to fix dental defects and improve the appearance of your smile. The results are seamless. We’ll ensure the composite resin matches the rest of your tooth. 

This versatile treatment can fix cracks and chips and cover stained and discoloured teeth. We can use composite resin to rebuild misshapen or badly damaged teeth. We can also use the resin to close small gaps between the teeth. 

How Are Dental Veneers Placed?

Dental veneer placement is usually done in two stages. First, the tooth is prepared. To make space for the veneer, we must remove a thin layer of enamel from the outside of your teeth. After we’ve done this, we can make custom veneers that will perfectly fit your teeth. 

Once the bespoke veneers are ready, we’ll invite you to your next appointment and place them. During this simple process, we’ll find the exact placement position and bond the veneers to your teeth. 

What Happens During Composite Bonding Treatment?

To perfect the appearance of your teeth using composite bonding, we’ll start by applying resin to the areas you’d like us to fix. After carefully crafting the resin on your teeth, we’ll harden it using a special light.

Once the resin has set, we’ll smooth out rough edges and tweak your new smile to perfection. 

What Are the Benefits of Dental Veneers?

The benefits of veneer placement include: 

• Improved confidence from the perfect smile
• Noticeable changes immediately
• Versatile treatment
• Veneers are low maintenance
• Porcelain veneers prevent discolouration

What Are the Benefits of Composite Bonding?

The composite bonding procedure is often brief. We don’t need to wait for the lab to craft any prosthetics; this means we can start the treatment process right away. The lack of custom prosthetics means the procedure is cost-effective. 

Because we don’t alter your natural teeth, we don’t need to use drills. During your procedure, you won’t need anaesthetic because the simple process is painless. As a result, there is no downtime. After the procedure, you can return to your normal routine with minimal disruption. 

The natural-looking composite resin creates exceptional results. We can repair your natural teeth flawlessly. Nobody will notice you’ve had dental work done. Fixing your smile with composite bonding can help you build confidence and self-esteem. 

How Long Do Veneers Last?

Porcelain is used in a range of dental prosthetics because it creates the most realistic finish while also remaining durable. But veneers are designed to replace dental enamel, which is the toughest material in the human body. As a result, it’s not as strong. 

This means you must avoid biting or chewing anything hard, like crushed ice or pen lids. 

That said, with the right care and attention, there’s no reason why your porcelain veneers couldn’t last for many years.

Caring for your veneers is easy. Maintaining a high standard of oral hygiene will ensure your veneers look great and the teeth below remain healthy. This means thorough brushing twice daily, flossing, using mouthwash, attending hygiene appointments, and visiting us for a checkup every six months. 

How Long Does Composite Bonding Last?

Composite resin bonds to your natural teeth; however, excessive impact or friction could cause damage. To help keep the bonded resin firmly attached, don’t bite anything solid. 

Composite bonding usually lasts for around five to seven years; however, in some cases, this is longer. After this time, you can return for a touch-up or to replace the resin. 

To care for your veneers, brush using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste twice a day. Floss and use mouthwash to keep plaque bacteria at bay. 

A checkup twice a year gives us a chance to check on the health of your bonded teeth. If we spot any deterioration, we can fix it before the damage worsens.  A professional clean with our dental hygienist can also help you improve the lifespan of your composite bonded smile. 

Dental Veneers Vs. Composite Bonding; Which Is Right for You?

Every smile is unique, and several factors determine whether a treatment is right. Dental veneers create flawless smiles. Composite bonding provides great results in just one simple, cost-effective procedure. 

While cost and desired outcomes will always be a factor, if you’re undecided about which treatment is best for you, we’d suggest coming in for a consultation before making the final decision. 

Our clinical experts will give you a balanced opinion based on their assessment of your smile following a full discussion about the results you’d like to achieve. 

Cosmetic Dentistry in Surrey

Dental veneers and composite bonding are both versatile treatments that provide outstanding results. We know you’ll love the outcome, whichever option you choose. 

Love Teeth has modern and inviting clinics in Sutton, Stonecot, Chessington, Cheam, and Worcester Park. 

Get in touch with our friendly team to schedule your smile assessment today.