Composite Bonding or Veneers – Which Is Right for You?
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- Composite Bonding or Veneers – Which Is Right for You?
If you’re looking into having cosmetic dental treatments done, it’s natural to want to find out more about your options beforehand. Investing in your teeth is a great way to grow your confidence, feel better about your smile and overall appearance.
At a time when 71% of British adults aren’t confident revealing their teeth for photos, we’re seeing huge increases in the number of requests surrounding cosmetic dental treatments. The ideal treatment to go with will depend on a few things – and what works best for one person isn’t necessarily the best option for you.
Before deciding, you’ll need to consider:
Two of the most popular forms of cosmetic dentistry are composite bonding and composite veneers. There is often a little confusion about the differences between the two procedures, as they involve some similar processes – so it can be difficult to decide which to go with. Our guide to the pros and cons of composite bonding and veneers should help you decide which is right for you.
READ MORE: How to Choose the Right Cosmetic Dentistry Procedure for You
Composite veneers and bonding treatments are used to improve the appearance of the teeth. With composite bonding, the resin is bonded to the tooth and carefully sculpted into shape. With composite veneers, the resin is sculpted to cover the whole tooth.
Both procedures use a composite resin material that can be perfectly matched to the shade of your natural teeth. Both treatments are classed as a cosmetic dental procedure, as they can effectively transform the appearance of the teeth.
The composite resin used for bonding and veneers is made from a mixture of organic polymer resin and other materials – including quartz and aluminium silicate. The combinations used have been carefully refined over the years to enhance durability, a natural appearance, and restorative ability.
Your dentist may recommend opting for a whitening treatment before you have composite bonding or veneers applied. This is so the ideal shade can be used, as the colour of composite resin can’t be altered after you have had the procedure unless you have it replaced.
Composite bonding is where your dentist adds the composite resin material to your tooth, working gradually to build up any uneven or chipped areas.
Composite bonding offers natural-looking results, as the gradual process allows dentists to refine the shape of each tooth so it sits nicely alongside neighbouring teeth. The resin can be matched identically to the shade of your teeth using pigments, before the treated area is then hardened using UV light.
Composite bonding is regularly used to conceal minor dental imperfections. It works best to fix the appearance of the edges of the teeth, rather than the entire tooth. Bonding is therefore a more subtle procedure than veneers. It’s also cheaper, but veneers may last slightly longer.
The cost of composite bonding begins at £250 per tooth. Before your composite bonding treatment, you’ll need a consultation with your dentist. They’ll then identify the best way to help achieve your expectations, before booking you in for your composite bonding appointment. The duration of the treatment takes depends on how many teeth you have treated – but can be completed in just one sitting. The procedure is not invasive at all, since the resin is simply being applied to the tooth.
Composite veneers are made from the same resin material used for composite bonding. Instead of affixing the resin to the edges of the tooth, composite veneers cover the entire tooth.
Composite veneers work best for more structural imperfections such as uneven and misaligned teeth. This is because the entire tooth can be sculpted over, as the dentist gradually builds out the resin to achieve your desired look. They work just as effectively to mask discolouration of the teeth, or chipped and cracked teeth – but are a more expensive option than composite bonding.
The cost of composite veneers begins at £380 per tooth. After an in-person consultation with your dentist, your procedure can be booked and carried out in just one sitting. The time your treatment takes will again depend on how many teeth you’re having work done on.
A popular alternative to composite veneers is porcelain veneers, which offer more durability and natural-looking results – although this procedure can be more invasive. Composite veneers aren’t usually invasive, since the material is being bonded onto the tooth just like with composite bonding. If you have misaligned teeth, composite bonding is a better option than veneers. In this situation, your dentist might have to perform some minor work on your natural teeth in order to achieve the results you’re looking for.
Ultimately, the treatment that works for you depends on your expectations and the appearance of your natural teeth. Composite bonding and veneers are similar cosmetic treatments, though veneers offer a more impactful transformation.
Pricing considerations also factor in, since composite bonding is noticeably cheaper than veneers. Your dental surgery can help identify which procedure is right for you, as it’s always best to have your teeth examined before making a final, informed decision.
Ringway Dental is a highly rated private dental surgery based in Cheadle, Manchester. With experience dating back over 70 years, our dedicated team of cosmetic dentistry specialists, dental nurses, and dental hygienists are highly skilled each of their professions.
Interested in composite bonding or veneers? Book a free online consultation with our Smile Advisor now. We’ll guide you through the pros and cons of composite bonding and veneers, while answering any questions you may have about each procedure. We’ll discuss which treatment option will work best in helping you achieve your ideal smile, before seeing you for your in-person consultation.
Alternatively, get in touch with our team today by filling out our online contact form. We endeavour to respond to each query as soon as possible. You can also call us at the surgery on 0161 437 2029.
