Do you feel unhappy with the appearance of your smile? Whether you notice a change in your dental appearance or have struggled with an aesthetic concern your entire life, you can see cosmetic improvement in your teeth with help from your dentist.
They use an individualized approach to ensure you get the smile of your dreams that will look both natural and beautiful per your specific dental goals and needs. Two options for this smile enhancement include teeth bonding and porcelain veneers.
Though their purposes to improve the look of your teeth may be similar, they will vary in the ways they accomplish this task. Explore the similarities and differences between these two cosmetic dental procedures in this month’s blog.
Sculpt Your Teeth with Cosmetic Dental Bonding
Teeth bonding refers to a treatment a dentist employs specifically to enhance the look of your teeth. The dentist will first prepare the surface of the affected teeth by etching into the enamel, which makes the composite resin better able to adhere to the tooth. To ensure you remain comfortable, a dentist can give you a local anesthetic that will numb the area.
Then the dentist applies the enamel and sculpts it according to your smile aesthetic goals. They harden the resin by curing it with a special light, and they polish it for a beautiful finish.
Bonding can reshape teeth, whiten them, fill gaps between teeth, amend small cracks or chips, and more. When you take care of your oral health and dental work, you can see cosmetic benefits from this treatment for three to ten years. If needed, you can ask your dentist about touch-ups.
Many people appreciate that bonding is both affordable and effective. You can see cosmetic enhancement without breaking the bank or making a massive commitment to dental treatment. Dentists can complete this procedure with one session at their office.
Make sure you follow your dentist’s aftercare guidelines to get the most out of your bonding treatment. Bonding can stain if you are not careful. So avoid consuming staining agents, especially as the dental work settles within the first 48 hours or so of the treatment.
Build an Enhanced Smile with Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers refer to custom-made cap-like shells that a dentist will construct and attach to the front of the teeth to create a straighter, brighter, and more even smile. The process uses bonding to secure the veneers to the teeth. So the procedure begins similarly to the teeth bonding treatment.
However, because a dentist must build the veneers, you will need more than one appointment to complete the cosmetic treatment. But once the veneers attach, they can remain in place for fifteen years or longer.
The caps resist staining and will not decay. But they are not indestructible. Do not bite down on hard items that could break veneers. And continue good oral hygiene to keep your underlying teeth healthy enough to sustain veneers. Learn which type of treatment will accomplish your smile aesthetic goals by scheduling a cosmetic dental consultation.