Tooth Bonding vs. Dental Veneers

If you feel self-conscious about how your teeth look but don’t want to make a major investment in cosmetic dentistry, tooth bonding may be right for you. East Hills Dental Associates in Roslyn Heights, NJ offers dental bonding to patients who want to straighten and whiten their teeth for an enhanced version of their natural look without having to remove enamel for dental veneers. Learn more about how tooth bonding works below and how they are different from porcelain dental veneers.

How Tooth Bonding Works

Similar to other cosmetic procedures, dental bonding is a way for your dentist to make small changes to your teeth to fix problems like discoloration, chips, cracks, or even close small gaps. The cosmetic dental bonding procedure is a similar concept to spackle used to repair walls, but for your teeth. A composite resin that is safe for your teeth is applied to the damaged areas of your teeth and is then shaped and smoothed into the desired appearance. It can even be matched to the color of your natural teeth so no one will be able to tell you’ve had bonding.

Tooth Bonding vs. Porcelain Dental Veneers

You might wonder if there is a difference between cosmetic dental bonding and porcelain veneers, and there are some differences between them. Bonding uses a soft composite resin that is applied to the tooth, which then hardens. Porcelain veneers, however, are thin porcelain shells that are attached to the front of the teeth. Veneers require the outer layer of enamel to be removed to attach them, whereas bonding simply fills in the teeth in specific areas. Some patients feel increased sensitivity with veneers because part of the enamel is removed, but prefer how it looks over bonding.

Patients who do not want the preparation and long-term maintenance of porcelain veneers often find tooth bonding to work for them. The choice depends on your smile goals, budget, and oral health needs. Dental bonding can be swapped out for veneers if you decide to do so later on.

Tooth bonding is a commonly used cosmetic dental treatment that can last for over 10 years with proper care. The same rules of oral hygiene apply: brush your teeth, floss, and avoid putting excessive pressure on your teeth.

Will Tooth Bonding Work For Me?

Anyone who has minor cosmetic issues with their smile can benefit from cosmetic dental bonding. Here are just a few examples of how bonding can improve your smile:

• Fill in chips on teeth
• Eliminate sensitivity from tooth roots that become exposed due to receding gums
• Close small gaps between teeth
• Whiten, smooth out, or eliminate visible ridges on teeth

Improve Your Smile in Roslyn Heights

Schedule with East Hills Dental Associates online or call us at (516) 253-6873 to learn whether cosmetic dental bonding will work for you.