Composite bonding vs. porcelain veneers: which should you pick?

What is composite bonding?

Composite is a soft, moldable material that hardens under a special light. It is biomimetic, which means it looks and feels much like your natural tooth. Think of it as a strong plastic that is shaped in the mouth and then light cured so it sets hard.

At Pearl Dental Care, composite is our most common restoration. We have chosen to stay away from mercury type fillings. The main reasons given are safety and the fact that those fillings fracture teeth and leak easily. The other reason is simple: patients do not want black fillings, especially in the front.

What can bonding fix?

Bonding is used for cavities, and it is also used for cosmetic work. The material comes in many shades, so it can be bonded onto a tooth to close spaces, cover dark areas, lengthen teeth or straighten how teeth look.

• Closing small gaps between teeth
• Repairing small chips
• Covering dark spots on a tooth
• Making a short tooth look longer
• Filling a small cavity with a tooth-colored material

Because the material is actually bonded to the tooth, it helps strengthen the tooth itself. That is different from a material like amalgam, which is packed into a cavity and expands over time, which can create fractures that let bacteria and decay leak in.

How do porcelain veneers compare?

A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of porcelain, custom made in a lab to fit over the front of a tooth. It changes the shape, size, rotation or color of that tooth. The shell can be as thin as half a millimeter, so not much tooth structure has to be removed, and once it is bonded on it becomes extremely strong.

Veneers also blend well. They come in many colors, they are custom made, and they pick up a little of the color of the tooth underneath and the teeth next to them, which often makes them hard to notice.

Which one should I pick?

Here is how we frame the choice. Porcelain veneers are the longer-term and more cosmetic solution. Cosmetic tooth bonding can be done in one visit, costs less and needs minimal drilling.

• Choose bonding if you want a small chip or gap handled quickly and simply
• Choose veneers if you want a longer term change in shape, size or color
• Deep discoloration, chipping, rotation and spacing together usually point toward veneers

Depending on your particular situation, your dentist can help you decide which option is the better fit. Many of our patients have had small chips or gaps closed with bonding and were happy with it.

How do I take care of either one?

Both are cared for like natural teeth, with daily brushing and flossing and regular checkups. Professional cleanings and easing up on very dark drinks help keep the color looking good. Keep in mind that bonded material and porcelain do not lighten with whitening gel the way natural enamel does, so talk about color order with your dentist before you start.

To ask a question or book a visit, call Pearl Dental Care at (630) 810-9940 or visit us at 331 W 63rd St, Westmont, IL 60559.

This guide is educational only. Your dentist will tailor any plan at your visit.