Everyone really craves that “Hollywood smile” that so many people dream of. A lot of people with darker teeth want to light them up artificially, so they either get composites bonded onto the front of their tooth or get them fitted with composite veneers. While they sound like they would perform the same function, the two options vary widely. If you would like a smile that reflects who you are, either of these two options might be your answer then.
The choices of whether to choose composite bonding or composite veneers depend largely on what you hope to accomplish with your smile. Let’s look into both the options more closely and see which one might work best for your dental situation.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
When you go to the dentist for a cavity or root canal, he or she is going to fix your teeth. In addition to fixing your teeth, a cosmetic dentist will also fix any things that detract from your smile – such as gaps, crookedness, unevenness, stained and discoloured teeth. The job of a cosmetic dentist is primarily based on the aesthetic appearance of your smile, rather than how long the teeth will last. Using multiple techniques, a cosmetic dentist can straighten teeth, align gums, eliminate any space between teeth, and also whiten teeth.
There are various ways to whiten your teeth – professional bleaching is the most effective method of whitening your teeth; other methods include strips, toothpaste and treatments found at retail stores. But if you really want to achieve that bright white smile you have dreamed of for years, you need to consider getting composite veneers!
Composite bonding involves using composite materials that can improve both the look and the feel of your teeth. By using composite bonding, you can not only have your teeth looking bright and shiny, but you can also have your teeth look better in other aspects too. For example, with composite bonding, you can fix any discolouration or chips on the front of your teeth, and you can fill in any gaps between the teeth, or close up spaces between the teeth where bacteria may accumulate and cause further decay.
Composite Bonding
Composite bonding originally started with being only a rear tooth procedure many years ago. However, with advancements in technology and development of materials, it is now available for the front teeth. The composite bonding procedure allows for cosmetic repair of small issues such as chips on the front edges of your teeth. Besides, it also allows for filling any holes in between your teeth, meaning that you can achieve a perfect looking smile!
A cosmetic dentist is able to ‘sculpt’ the edges of a person’s teeth by applying a composite material to improve both the oral health and appearance of that individual. Once still needed, the length of a tooth can be adjusted with a small amount of material to ensure that they are properly in proportion with the gums. All types of imperfections can be corrected in the edges of the teeth as well. In addition, other types of imperfections (gaps) are also repaired as indicated above. After the application of the composite material, all of the teeth will be whitened using a bleaching agent so that the composite will blend in with the existing teeth, i.e., it won’t stick out.
Applying composite materials to the edges of a person’s teeth (bonding) involves producing less damage to the person’s teeth than applying a full composite veneer – the process of applying composite material from the enamel to the gum line. But it may still be necessary for a cosmetic dentist to drill away some of the tooth surface in order to create a smooth, even surface for bonding the composite material. The amount of tooth surface that will need to be drilled away will depend on factors including condition of the teeth that are going to receive the composite, as well as the patient’s goals with regard to the use of the composite.
Composite bonding is only an effective treatment for small issues on the edges of the teeth. Thus, composite veneers will correct more extensive problems in people’s teeth.
Composite Veneers
Dental veneers are made to look nice on all surfaces of your front teeth. Most people talk about porcelain veneers. The process of making your smile more attractive by adding porcelain veneers begins with removing some natural tooth structure from your existing teeth, and therefore wearing down your tooth’s enamel. The finished product is to cover the original tooth with a thin porcelain veneer (often done on all the front teeth at one time). Once placed and bonded tightly to the original tooth, this porcelain veneer greatly enhances the appearance of the tooth. This procedure is permanent, and will need some maintenance. In addition, over the course of your life, you may need to replace the existing porcelain veneer with a new one.
The procedures for using composite dental veneers are generally the same as with porcelain veneers with one key difference – the material utilised for composite veneers are different from that used for porcelain ones. Composite veneers use a resin composite (similar to what is used for composite bonded fillings). Composite veneers are designed with enough material to cover the complete surface of the tooth and not just the front part of the tooth.
Then why choose composite dental veneers instead of porcelain veneers? This question has an easy answer! Composite veneers are easier to apply than porcelain veneers; they are less costly than porcelain veneers, and therefore more economical. In most cases, you will receive your new smile in a shorter amount of time using composite veneers. The only downside is while using composite veneers; you will be given a general anaesthetic to ensure that you don’t feel any discomfort while the dental veneers are being applied. All in all, within two hours of starting this procedure, you should have a beautiful new smile!
Composite veneers are the ideal solution for people who have slightly crooked teeth, a pointy tooth or slightly gaped teeth. By filling in these areas, an improved appearance will result from using composite veneers.
Although composite veneers can last a long time, they are permanent in the sense that the actual teeth will need to be shaved down. So you should also remember to take care of your new composite veneer teeth. If you properly care for your composite veneer teeth, they should last for about 10 years.
Choosing Composite Bonding vs. Composite Veneers
Composite bonding and composite veneer are both made with the same material. However, the two procedures are performed differently. Composite bonding can be used to fill in small chips and gaps found at the edge of the tooth. In order to do composite bonding, you must first whiten your teeth; this way, the colour of the bonding material will closely resemble the natural colour of your teeth. After the colour of the bonding material has been matched to your tooth colour, the composite bonding process will proceed quite rapidly.
Composite veneers cover an entire tooth compared to traditional veneers where in some cases; the tooth would still show through after a procedure. Bleaching your teeth is not typically necessary before having composite veneers placed. To make room for the veneer, the top layer of the enamel on the tooth would have been removed so as to not have the veneer appear bulky on top of the existing enamel layer. Composite veneers allow for correction of imperfections in teeth from decay to chips to stains. Therefore, composite veneers provide an option for many people to achieve the perfect smile that they desire.
If you are trying to decide between composite bonding and composite veneers, get in touch with our expert cosmetic dentists at Emergency Dentists in London. We will assist you with your decision to find the best way to attain that perfect white smile of yours!
