Dental Bonding vs Porcelain Veneers: Which is Right for You?

Even if you visit the dentist regularly and practice excellent oral hygiene, you may still be dissatisfied with certain aspects of your smile. Discolored, overlapped, crooked, or gapped teeth can have a negative impact on your overall appearance. Fortunately, Dr. Julie Kardon offers cosmetic dentistry treatments at TLC Dental Center. Today, she explores dental bonding vs porcelain veneers in Cherry Hill, NJ and explains what each of these procedures can accomplish. No matter what your dental needs, she can help you determine which option is right for you.

If you are considering dental bonding or porcelain veneers in Cherry Hill, NJ, schedule an appointment at our practice by calling (856) 667-1001.

About Dental Bonding

This procedure involves applying composite resin to the teeth surfaces to camouflage cosmetic imperfections. To perform dental bonding, Dr. Kardon first chooses a shade of resin that closely matches the rest of your smile. Next, the material is carefully applied, then shaped and molded until the affected tooth is the desired shape and size. Once this is achieved, the resin is cured – or hardened – with a special light. Lastly, the tooth is polished, and any necessary adjustments are made.

When is Dental Bonding Recommended?

Dental bonding is an excellent option for patients who wish to correct minor aesthetic flaws. These may include:

  • Chips
  • Cracks or craze lines
  • Fractures
  • Discoloration
  • Small gaps or spaces between the teeth

To be eligible for dental bonding, patients must be in good oral health. This means they should not have gum disease, extensive tooth decay, or other dental issues. If these problems are present, Dr. Kardon can perform restorative treatments to improve oral health before cosmetic procedures are completed. With good hygiene and regular dental visits, dental bonding typically lasts about five to seven years before needing replaced.

Compared to porcelain veneers, bonding is more cost-effective. However, it does not offer the same lifelike translucency.

About Porcelain Veneers

Like bonding, porcelain veneers help mask certain cosmetic defects. This procedure can typically be completed in two office visits. First, Dr. Kardon will remove a small portion of enamel from each affected tooth. This roughens the surfaces, which in turn helps the veneers adhere properly. After the teeth have been prepared, impressions are taken. These are then sent to our dental lab, where a ceramist will craft your veneers according to your unique anatomy.

When your final veneers are ready, we will schedule you for a second appointment. During this visit, Dr. Kardon will check the size, shape, and color of the restorations to ensure they blend in with your smile. Finally, she will bond them into place using a high-quality dental cement.

When Are Porcelain Veneers Recommended?

Virtually anyone with healthy teeth and gums can enhance their smile with veneers. Generally, they are recommended for patients with moderate to severe aesthetic issues. For example, in addition to concealing chips, cracks, discoloration, and fractures, veneers can close down larger gaps between the teeth. They can even correct the appearance of slightly misaligned teeth.

Patients considering veneers should have a full understanding of the treatment process. On average, veneers last about 15 to 20 years with proper care. Therefore, they will need to be replaced at some point.

As aforementioned, veneers are more expensive compared to dental bonding. However, many patients choose this treatment due to the natural-looking results that can be achieved.

Learn More about Porcelain Veneers in Cherry Hill, NJ

Dr. Kardon has provided top-tier dental services to our Cherry Hill, NJ community for over 15 years. If you’re interested in learning more about bonding, veneers, or other treatments in cosmetic dentistry, schedule a consultation today. You can contact us online anytime or call us at (856) 667-1001.

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