Cosmetic dentistry has made many advancements, making it easier than ever to get the beautiful smile you've always wanted. While there are many procedures, dental veneers and dental bonding are two popular options. If you would like to know more, keep reading. 

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin layers of enamel that reflect the appearance of tooth tissue. The dentist removes some of the tooth's enamel and attaches the veneers. They are typically crafted in a lab. Because they fully replace the front of your teeth, they can fix many issues, including:

• Discoloration
• Chips
• Cracks
• Minor gaps/crowding
• Mild tooth rotation
• Irregular/short/long crowns

They are usually only used on front teeth. Back teeth need more durability, so if you have issues with your molars and premolars, ask about porcelain dental crowns. The veneer is durable and resistant to decay, but the tooth tissue around the veneer can decay, causing the veneer to break or fall off. If it does fall off, the tooth will feel sensitive and will be open to decay/infection.

What Is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding doesn't require a lab. Instead, the dentist applies the composite resin material directly to the teeth and shapes it to the desired shape and position. For this reason, dental bonding corrects many of the same issues veneers do. However, dental bonding is much more affordable and less invasive. The dentist can leave all or more of the enamel behind.

The material used for dental bonding does not mimic the look of natural tooth tissue as well as veneers. Like porcelain, the material is stain-resistant, but not stain-proof. Because the dentist doesn't need to send molds to the lab, the process is usually faster than veneers.

Which Is Best for You?         

There are many reasons to choose veneers or dental bonding, but a leading factor is cost. If you have a limited budget, dental bonding may be the better choice. Similarly, if you only have a small chip on one tooth, dental bonding may be the better option to save money.

Dental bonding is also preferable if you want to keep your enamel enact. Ultimately, veneers are the right choice if you are mostly concerned about having a natural-looking, beautiful smile.

Cosmetic dentistry has transformed the smiles of many Americans, and you can be one of them. Dental bonding and veneers are great options that fix many issues at once. If you would like to know more about dental crowns, veneers, or dental bonding, contact a dentist in your area today.