Composite Bonding Vs Composite Veneers Vs Porcelain Veneers

With the growing increase in the fast-food industry, health issues have taken a new height. When we talk about health-related issues, it includes both physical and oral health.

The field of dentistry has seen a huge revolution in the past few decades. A lot of new developments have taken place right from cosmetic procedures to surgical ones. In today’s blog, we’ll learn about three such procedures which are somewhat similar but have their unique characteristics, features, application, and benefits.

These procedures are composite bonding, composite veneers, and porcelain veneers.  All of them are used to treat and fix broken teeth whether accidentally or due to cavities. Let’s go through their usage, procedures, pros, and cons one by one so that you can get an idea of all three of them you can make better choices if needed.

Composite Bonding

What Is It & How It Is Done

This is a simple and inexpensive cosmetic dental procedure in which a piece of tooth-colored resin — a type of plastic is put on the damaged tooth by the dentist.

After the first step is done, that resin is then bonded with the tooth using ultraviolet (UV) light. This is a quite simple and easy procedure for those who want to fix their crooked or broken teeth.

This procedure is widely done because it is inexpensive and comparatively safer. Another factor for its huge demand is the easy after-procedure care. Let’s have a look at its pros and cons.

Pros:

• Can be placed on the same day. Doesn’t require many visits to your dentist.
• Has a very natural look.
• The bonding material used in the procedure is non-invasive.
• Easy maintenance.
•  Very affordable.

Cons:

There aren’t many cons of dental bonding which makes it the favorite of all. However, the only cons are :

• Durability and longevity can be an issue
• Bonding can be fragile as compared to a crown.
• The difference in color and appearance after some time.

Composite Veneer

What does it mean and how is it done:

A composite veneer is a tooth-shaded resin that is matched to the natural color of the patient’s tooth. It is applied in layers to the surface of the tooth and sculpted directly in the patient’s mouth.

Just like in composite bonding, this resin is then hardened using a high-intensity light. Soon after the hardening is done, it is polished to get a natural appearance.

The layers aren’t limited to a certain number, many layers can be added as much as required to get the desired aesthetic feel.  These veneers are also used as filling materials in cases where the teeth are discolored or chipped.

Unlike Composite bonding, these can last longer and are non-destructive in nature. Apart from all the stated applications, these are also used to fix minor teeth misalignments in the patients. Additionally, these veneers have long durability.

These can last from 5 to 7 years on average. Composite veneers are of two types – direct and indirect. The difference lies in the procedure. Let’s have a look at its pros and cons.

Pros :

• Lower cost
• Shorter application process if direct veneers
• Can cover up many aesthetic problems, including misshapen teeth, discolorations, and other defects.
• Highly durable and effective.

Cons:

• The material is weaker than that of porcelain and there are high chances of getting chipped.
• May require frequent replacements.
• Not the strongest material available.

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Porcelain Veneer

Meaning, Procedure & Benefits :

Porcelain veneers are very thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve the patient’s appearance.

These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their characteristics like color, shape, size, or length. These porcelain veneers fix a number of dental problems including discolored teeth, worn down teeth, chipped or broken teeth, misaligned teeth or for that matter the teeth that are accidentally broken.

The procedure is however a little different from the rest. Porcelain veneers are first made in a laboratory and then bonded on the teeth of the patient.

After the bonding is done, the dentist layers the resin on to each tooth. This procedure is most preferred by the patients. This procedure is not done in a single visit but requires at least two visits to the clinic. A little portion of the tooth is trimmed by the dentist in the first appointment and the rest of the procedure is done in the next. 

There are a number of benefits of porcelain veneers. Come of them are as under :

• A natural tooth appearance.
• Porcelain is tolerated well by the gums.
• These are stain-resistant.
• They generally don’t require as much shaping as crowns do, yet they are stronger and look better.

Let’s have a look at their pros and cons to get a better understanding of these veneers:

Pros:

•  Realistic appearance – Appears natural hence less chances of getting noticed
• Stain-resistance – A better resistance against stains
• Durability – Lasts as long as 20 years if taken care properly.
• Color versatility – Can be given and shades according to the requirements.
• Ease of shaping – Shaping is easier as compared to other procedures.
• Improved appearance and restored confidence.

Cons:

• Artificiality – No matter how natural they look, they are artificial teeth at the end of the day hence one thinks twice before going for the procedure.
• High cost – The cost for the procedure is very high hence can’t be afforded by everybody.
• Fragility – They are generally strong but still need to be taken care of. Replacing or repairing them becomes a very tough and hectic process.
• Permanence – Make sure that you do it after proper research because once it is done, you can’t undo it.
• Teeth sensitivity – Teeth sensitivity is one of the complaints many patients make after the procedure is done.

Now that you know almost all the aspects of these procedures, you can make a better selection next time you visit your dentist.