If you want to fix your cavities and broken teeth, but also improve your smile, veneers and bonding are a positive way to go about it. If you have broken, discoloured, or spaced out teeth, bonding and veneers can be the best solution for you. It acts as a false tooth or a coating to an existing tooth.
Veneers are very thin shells, often made of porcelain or composite resin, that is attached to the front part of the teeth. Porcelain veneers are stronger than composite resin, do not change colour or stain, and last longer. While composite resin veneers can be done in one visit, porcelain veneers might take at least two dental visits.
To create a composite resin veneer, a dentist puts a mild etchant on the front surface of the tooth to be veneered that will help the composite resin to stick to the enamel of the tooth. Then the composite resin that matches the colour of your teeth is chosen to blend in with your teeth. The composite resin is added to your teeth in layers and a bright light is used to harden each layer. After the resin is hardened, it is then shaped and polished to form your tooth. This will help in gaining a natural and smooth finish.
For a porcelain veneer, a local anesthetic (freezing) is given to the patient. A thin layer of enamel is removed from your teeth, to make room for your veneers. A mold of your teeth is taken and used to custom-make the porcelain veneers. A temporary veneer may be placed to replace the portion of tooth removed until the porcelain veneers are ready. Because of the fragile nature of the temporary veneers, they should be treated gently and with utmost care.
During the next visit at dental clinic, the temporary veneers are removed and a mild chemical is applied to your teeth to make it rough, to help the porcelain veneers to stick. The porcelain veneers are then glued to your teeth one by one, using resin cement.
There are several reasons why your dentist might suggest other options than a veneer.
