How To Decide Between Dental Bonding And A Veneer

If you have a chip in your front tooth, you don't have to let it ruin your smile. Your dentist can repair it with a veneer or dental bonding. Here are some tips for deciding which option is best for you.

Compare Cost

If you're on a tight budget, then dental bonding may be the best option for you. Bonding begins at around $100 per tooth, and the price of a veneer begins around $500. There is a wide price difference because of the way the two procedures are done. Veneers are made from porcelain, and the custom shells are made in a dental lab. This requires two visits to your dentist to complete.

Bonding is done in a single visit. The dentist applies resin to the surface of your tooth and shapes it to blend in with your other teeth. The resin is cured with a blue light so it adheres to your tooth. The procedure is not only less expensive, it is also done much quicker. This could be important if you want the chip repaired right away for an important event or business meeting.

Consider Your Lifestyle

Resin is more porous than porcelain, so it has the potential to stain more easily. There are certain lifestyle habits you may need to give up if you decide to go with dental bonding. For instance, coffee, tea, and wine may cause discoloration of the bonded tooth if you drink the beverages often.

If you drink several cups of coffee a day, or sip on coffee all day at work, bonding might not be the best choice for you. In the same way, cigarette smoking will cause your bonded tooth to become noticeable since it will stain more easily than your natural teeth. If you don't want to cut back on cigarettes or coffee, be sure to let your dentist know. He or she may recommend a veneer, or advise you to get dental cleanings more often so the bonded tooth can be polished. Polishing helps remove some stains, and the ones that are permanent can sometimes be covered over by applying a new layer of resin on top.

Think About Anxiety Issues

If you're putting off getting the chip fixed due to a fear of needles or drills, then you'll be glad to know you can undergo dental bonding without too much difficulty. It may not be necessary to remove any of your enamel at all when you get dental bonding. When you get a veneer, a layer of enamel has to be shaved off so the porcelain shell fits into place. That means you'll need to contend with the sound of a dental drill and maybe even an anesthetic injection if you have sensitive teeth.

When you get a tooth bonded, the dentist applies an acid to your enamel that makes it rough so the resin sticks better. The resin is applied and allowed to dry. The dentist may need to use a drill for a short time to even out the edges of the resin once it has dried, but your actual tooth won't be drilled. Because there is no pain, there is no need for an injection in your mouth. So even if you have a dental phobia, you should be able to tolerate dental bonding.

Bonding is a great way to repair a chipped tooth, but it isn't always the best choice. Since resin can break off if enough force is applied to it, your dentist has to consider the location of the chip in your tooth as well as its size when determining if you're a good candidate for tooth bonding. Contact a dentist like Richard M Holmes DMD PA in your area for more information.


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