Sciota, Pennsylvania
If you attend an event where photos will be taken, are you hesitant to show your smile? Consider cosmetic dentistry. This specialization of dental science uses cutting-edge techniques and tools to improve the appearance of teeth. If you’re looking for a quick and significant change in the look of your smile, your cosmetic dentist in Sciota has two great options: bonding and veneers. Today on the blog, we take a more in-depth look at each of these procedures.
Dental bonding
A dental bonding procedure provides the front of the tooth or teeth being treated with a new surface that is flawless looking. Using a composite resin similar to the material made in tooth-colored fillings, your cosmetic dentist sculpts the resin to reshape the appearance of your tooth. The resin also can be adjusted to match the color of your other teeth. A bonding treatment often is used to correct small chips or cracks in teeth, address the erosion of dental enamel or conceal an unwanted gap between two teeth.
The pros
- Convenience – A dental bonding treatment often can be completed in about an hour.
- Price – Because of the quick turnaround and lower cost of the materials used compared to other cosmetic treatments, bonding is one of the biggest bargains in all of cosmetic dentistry.
- Not permanent – You can have a bonding treatment reversed or removed without doing any damage to your teeth.
The cons
- Limitations – Bonding is not the recommended treatment if you want to treat several or all the teeth in your mouth.
- Stains – After a bonding treatment, your teeth remain susceptible to extrinsic stains from foods, drinks, and/or tobacco use.
Veneers
A veneer is a thin shell placed over the front surface of the tooth or teeth being treated, changing the appearance. Veneers can be used to treat a single tooth or they can be installed on all the visible tooth surfaces in your mouth. Your Sciota cosmetic dentist removes a small portion of the tooth or teeth being treated. This ensures the veneer makes a flush, smooth bond. At this initial appointment, our staff also takes digital impressions of your teeth. These impressions serve as a model to fabricate your permanent veneers. You receive a temporary restoration, then return a couple of weeks later to receive your new permanent veneers.
The pros
- Long-lasting – With good dental hygiene, veneers can last 10 to 15 years or longer.
- Stain-resistant – Porcelain veneers will not stain due to tobacco or foods and drinks.
- More versatile – In addition to correcting all of the issues that a bonding treatment can, veneers can permanently whiten your smile.
The cons
- Not reversible – Once veneers are placed, they’re permanent. You cannot remove them without potentially compromising your tooth enamel, which would leave your teeth very vulnerable to damage or decay.
- Expense – Veneers have a higher cost, because of the materials that they are made with and the technology that is used to make them.
Should I choose bonding or veneers?
There’s no right answer to this question. You need to make this decision for yourself. This is also why, at Chestnuthill Dental, it is our policy to schedule a consultation with any patient interested in one of our services in cosmetic dentistry. This meeting will help determine what treatments are right to help you reach your aesthetic goals. Schedule your consultation today by calling (570) 402-4001.
