If you’ve put off cosmetic dentistry despite the flaws in your smile that make you unhappy, then let 2018 be the year you finally take the first step toward your dream smile!
There are so many ways you can achieve that at Carolina Bright Smiles.
Today, we’re exploring some of the similarities and differences between two cosmetic dentistry options, tooth bonding and dental veneers.
Both improve the look of your smile, but only one of them stands out as the most transformative and longest lasting choice!
Cosmetic Dentistry: Why Bother?
We often hear patients say they wish they’d had cosmetic dentistry sooner, but they felt like it was an exercise in vanity. An extravagance they felt they didn’t quite deserve.
We know how hard it is to do things for yourself that will make you happy. With all the responsibilities you have as an adult, you likely have many people counting on you every single day.
For that reason, many people put off getting cosmetic dentistry because they’re used to putting their own wants behind everyone else’s.
But the truth is you can be the best version of yourself for your spouse, your children, and other important people in your life by loving who you are and feeling confident about your appearance.
Everyone is worth the effort or expense of treatment that will boost their confidence!
Choosing Between Tooth Bonding & Dental Veneers
Dental veneers and tooth bonding both give your teeth a smooth, flawless appearance. They both cover stained, damaged teeth.
But they differ in several respects. That means you have to weigh the pros and cons of each before deciding which is best for you.
Dental Veneers: What You Need To Know
A delicately thin shell, dental veneers are custom-crafted porcelain shells that fit over your teeth. They’re made to fit only you so they line up with your gumline comfortably and naturally.
Veneers, by design, are made to replicate the fine translucence of real tooth enamel. This allows them to radically improve your smile’s appearance, but not in a way that looks fake or artificial.
One of the most fascinating thing about veneers is how strong they are despite their thin design. In fact, veneers are strong enough to keep any damage on your tooth from getting worse, oftentimes for as much as a couple of decades!
The kind of surface flaws veneers hide are things like:
-Cracks
-Chips
-Gaps
-Overlapping teeth
-Misshapen or disproportionate teeth
While they’re pretty impressive in terms of the vast scope of cosmetic problems they solve, veneers do take some time. They have to be made in a lab so that they fit you perfectly. They’re also something Dr. Garrett needs to make room for on your teeth. That means you’d have to have some of your tooth enamel removed to help them fit naturally.
Bonding: The Good & The Bad
Dental bonding, or tooth bonding, has been around for many years. It’s a method that uses tooth-colored resin to fill tiny cosmetic imperfections on your teeth. Because the resin is tooth-colored, it can also whiten your teeth fairly well.
It’s less expensive than dental veneers because it can easily be done in one visit and doesn’t require the longer prep time in a lab that custom veneers need.
But bonding does have some limitations that dental veneers don’t.
The Advantages Of Dental Veneers
Even after you’ve had dental bonding, you can still have stained teeth. Over time, the resin will take on the pigments of your foods and drinks.
That’s more strain on your pocketbook because it’s something you’d have to do again to keep your smile bright white.
Veneers are stain resistant. That’s why dental veneers are often called the permanent teeth whitening treatment because they can last for decades.
Also, tooth bonding doesn’t do quite as well as veneers in hiding dark teeth stains or significant damage like chips and cracks. The resin can only do so much to cover and protect your teeth, so again, veneers have the upper hand.
Schedule A Cosmetic Consultation
Cosmetic dentistry can have a profoundly positive impact on your life. Choosing the right treatment is a very personal choice. Your smile goals aren’t going to look exactly like the next person’s.
That’s why, if you really want to know for sure if dental veneers are the best choice for you, a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Garrett is your first step!
No matter which direction you go with cosmetic dentistry, the end result is the same when you trust Carolina Bright Smiles. That’s because you’ll come away from the experience with a stunning smile that you’ll love!
Call our Hillsborough, NC dental office today at 919-644-7400 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment.