Veneers or Composite Bonding?

Question

I am 17 and about to get my braces off (had them on for 4 1/2 years with 2 surgeries). My two laterals are to small and need to be filled in to make my teeth flow correctly.My two front teeth are straight but they have wear on the bottom. If I get veneers I will have 6 teeth done to make everything even. Should I go ahead and get veneers even though they are $$$$, or composite bonding and have to eventually get them replaced because after a few years, they start to stain and wear away?

Pamela Marzban, DDS · Answer

You answered your question, they are both great options, but keep in consideration how much you want to spend and how long will it last? Most patients go with the best aesthetic and longer lasting option, even if it cost more. Doing just the 6 front teeth , may not be a good idea. Everybody likes doing "the social 6", buth it does not look the best amd more natural treatment, consider doing 4 or 8, but never 6.

	Porcelain Veneers are wafer-thin shells placed over your existing teeth. To place veneers, some of your natural tooth structure will need to be removed. The process for porcelain veneer placement takes place over two office visits, but offers very long lasting results.

	Teeth bonding is done with a composite resin placed directly over your teeth. This resin is shaped, colored, and sized to provide a seamless appearance. The process for teeth bonding takes one office visit and can easily be touched up if the bonding cracks. By contrast, porcelain veneers, once chipped or discolored, will need to be replaced.

	Both procedures require very little tooth structure be removed, but porcelain veneers may offer more pleasing aesthetic results.

Leonard Tau, DMD · Answer

Since you are going to ideally require 6 veneers I would rather see you get veneers as bonding needs more maintenance and some dentists would not be able to achieve the esthetic result you are looking for with bonding

Gerry Curatola, DDS · Answer

Porcelain veneers are clearly the longer lasting, more resilient and more aesthetic choice for your undersized laterals. If done properly, they should complete your smile after orthodontic treatment without the need for additional veneers to "make everything even" if the lateral incisors are the principal issue. If you are interested in lengthening or restoring the edges of the centrals, porcelain veneers are a stronger choice than composite bonding which has a tendency to chip and wear more as well. Porcelain veneers have a greater "up front" cost than composite bonding, but the long term costs may actually be less, considering the maintenance costs associated with composite bonding.

Carlo Biasucci, DDS · Answer

Veneers will certainly outlast bonding, and the esthetic appearance of veneers will be much better.  Be prepared to replace the veneers in 10 years, but you would have to replace the bonding every 2-3 years due to stain, assuming they don't chip or fracture in the meantime.  Given how much you've been through to get straight teeth, might as well have them look the best they can.

Jay Neuhaus, DDS · Answer

As you expressed, in order to obtain the proper proportions, you would need at least 6 porcelain veneers. Bonding would have to constantly be replaced and redone due to staining, and MOST dentists would NOT be able to achieve as esthetic a result with bonding.

Veneers or Composite Bonding?

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Answer: Veneers or Bonding?

Answer: Veneers or Bonding?

Answer: Veneers are a better choice over bonding

Answer: Veneers are a better choice over bonding

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Veneers or Composite Bonding?

Answers (5)

Answer: Veneers or Bonding?

Answer: Veneers or Bonding?

Answer: Veneers are a better choice over bonding

Answer: Veneers are a better choice over bonding

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Everything you need to know about Porcelain Veneers

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.