Not many people are born with the perfect smile. It usually takes a few procedures like orthodontics, teeth whitening and porcelain veneers or dental bonding to make a smile straight, white, and symmetrical. If you’re like most people and not born with the perfect smile, we offer solutions at Dental Excellence of Blue Bell that can help. Find out if porcelain veneers or dental bonding are the right cosmetic treatment for you in Blue Bell, PA.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures. They originally got their start in the Hollywood film industry as a way to help famous faces display perfect smiles on the silver screens. Today, your average joe and celebrities rely on porcelain veneers to perfect their smile.
So what exactly are porcelain veneers? They’re thin sheets of porcelain material bonded over the front of your teeth. Dr. Sigel will shape and color the veneers to make your teeth look whiter and straighter. Veneers can hide the shape of your teeth and even minor crookedness or misalignments. Nobody can see your natural tooth underneath the porcelain veneer. Some patients might only need one or two veneers while some people prefer to cover all of their teeth that show when they smile. During a consultation with Dr. Siegel, he will help you decide which option is you.
The procedure for porcelain veneers is fast and painless. After deciding which teeth will require veneers, Dr. Siegel will carefully remove a thin layer of your enamel from these teeth. This is to make room for the thin veneers that will go over your natural tooth. He will then take impressions of your teeth and send them to the lab. In the meantime, you will wear temporary veneers over your teeth until your permanent set is ready. Once they’re ready, you will return to Dr. Siegel’s office and he will verify that the shape, size, and color are correct and then bond them to your teeth. In just two appointments, you can have a perfect smile!
What is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is a little different from porcelain veneers but can produce similar effects. Bonding uses a special composite material that comes in a putty form that is then applied to your teeth to reshape them or cover up flaws. After Dr. Siegel shapes the putty, he will use a special curing light to harden the material. After it’s hard, he will polish and shape the material a bit more until it looks natural. The procedure is fast and only takes one visit!
Problems You Can Solve with Dental Bonding vs Veneers
Dental bonding and porcelain veneers can both cover a number of problems.
Chips and Cracks – Both treatments are excellent for covering chips and cracks. However, if the damage is more severe than just a mild crack or chip, we will recommend porcelain veneers due to their better durability.
Gaps – Skip a lengthy orthodontic treatment and hide your gaps with either bonding or veneers. If you’re considering orthodontics down the line, we recommend dental bonding. If you know that you never want to get braces, choose porcelain veneers for their higher durability.
Crookedness – Slightly crooked teeth also don’t require braces. If you want a quick fix, we can make your teeth appear straighter with porcelain veneers. However, if you do plan to get braces down the line, we don’t recommend porcelain veneers. It’s possible to hide your problem with bonding but it depends on your case.
Color – If you want a glowing white smile at all times, porcelain veneers is the best choice for you. If there is a certain tooth that has a stain that won’t budge, even with professional whitening procedures, dental bonding is a simple solution to cover up the stain.
Shape and size – Both veneers and dental bonding can change the shape and size of your teeth.
Choosing Between Porcelain Veneers and Dental Bonding
So which treatment is right for you? Consider these different factors when choosing between porcelain veneers and dental bonding.
Durability – When it comes to durability, porcelain veneers are the better option. Dental bonding can last 5 to 10 years while porcelain veneers can last anywhere between 15 to 25 years. Your bite and habits can play a role in how long they last.
Cost – Dental bonding is much more affordable than porcelain veneers.
Time – Porcelain veneers take two visits to the dentist while dental bonding only requires one.
Permanency – Since porcelain veneers require some removal of your enamel, it is not a reversible procedure. Dental bonding is completely reversible though.
Appearance – Both materials look natural but porcelain veneers have a special sheen that you won’t achieve with dental bonding.
Which One is Right For Me?
Whether you know exactly which procedure is right for you or you’re still undecided, our cosmetic dentist in Blue Bell can help you make your decision. There’s also the question of whether BioClear is right for you, but that’s a whole other topic to discuss. Please contact Dental Excellence of Blue Bell at (610) 272-0828 today to schedule a consultation for porcelain veneers or dental bonding with Dr. Siegel.
