Do you have some smile flaws that have left you feeling less confident than you’d like? With the innovations in modern cosmetic dentistry, you now have options for improving your appearance. One of the keys to success, then, is to be able to recognize which procedure is best suited for the particular needs at hand. Let’s take a look at two useful methods for masking bothersome smile flaws, dental bonding and porcelain veneers in Portage, so you can determine which route is best for you!
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Custom-crafted from the highest quality ceramics, porcelain veneers are thin slithers that fit directly over the teeth in the smile zone. They’re purpose is to mask such imperfections as stains, crowding, gaps and misalignment.
The process, which typically takes two-to-three visits to complete, involves the following steps:
- A thin layer of enamel is removed to make room for the veneers to mesh with your smile line to create a natural look.
- Bite impressions are taken and the results, along with a complete smile plan from your dentist, are sent to a lab that specializes in crafting veneers.
- Before you leave the office, you’ll be fitted with a temporary set of veneers to protect the dentin while you wait on your permanent fixtures to arrive.
- When the finished veneers return from the lab, you’ll be welcome back to your dentist’s office to have them cemented in place.
The final result will be a gorgeously remade set of teeth.
The Purpose of Dental Bonding
An alternative to the porcelain veneers method is dental bonding. Instead of making two-to-three trips to your dentist, with dental bonding, you’ll have your smile revamped in just one visit. It all starts with your dentist applying a compound resin directly to the blemished teeth and then shaping the material to perfectly blend into your smile line. Once this stage is complete, your dentist will use a special light to cure the material.
Which Procedure is Best for You?
There is no set answer to this question. Instead, you and your cosmetic dentist will decide on the right option based on your specific needs and desires. If versatility is your primary focus, then veneers have the advantage. Furthermore, the porcelain fixtures are more resistant to stains than the resin compound used for dental bonding. A final but significant perk of porcelain veneers is they typically last longer than dental bonds.
Still, the latter offer their own set of benefits. One of them is that, as previously mentioned, the dental bonding process typically takes only one visit to complete. This is also the most attractive route if you’re more cost-sensitive. A final perk is that it requires minimal removal of enamel; thus, preserving more of your original tooth to show the world.
Having to choose between two viable and effective means of beautifying your smile is a nice problem to have. To get some expert help in the process, visit your cosmetic dentist in Portage for a consultation today!
About the Author
Dr. Danny Hayes earned his dental degree from Temple University School of Dentistry. Still eager to learn more, he has taken countless hours of continuing education, which includes special training in the placement of porcelain veneers. Dr. Hayes creates dazzling smiles at Advanced Dental Concepts, and he can be reached for more information through his website.