Your Downtown Dentist in Calgary Explains Bonding and Veneers
Teeth are strong, but even so, they can also be damaged in many ways. The good thing is, when you have a cavity, crack, chipped tooth, or similar issue, Dr. Loreen Wong, your downtown dentist in Calgary has various options to repair the damage. Cavities can be fixed with a nondescript filling, and different, more severe damage sometimes requires the use of tools like bonding and veneers. These tools allow your dentist to fix your damaged tooth and restore your smile.
Bonding and veneers are also popular options in cosmetic dentistry. They can be used to cover gaps between teeth, change the angle of misaligned teeth, or to cover extreme discolouration. While the results of both procedures may look similar, the step-by-step process is quite different for each.
From Your Dentist In Calgary: The Differences Between Bonding and Veneers
Bonding is the simpler of the two processes, and it’s primarily used to treat minor damage. The Canadian Dental Association reports that bonding can usually be completed in one dental visit, even when multiple teeth are being repaired. Bonding is completed using composite resin, that matches the colour of your tooth.
Veneers, on the other hand, involve thin, hard shells made of porcelain or resin cement. Resin cement or porcelain veneers work much like bonding, with resin applied in layers and hardened by light. The process for resin cement or porcelain veneers is more demanding, but the repairs also last longer.
- Veneers are custom fit. Your dentist will start the process by taking a mold of your teeth, and sending out the mold to have custom veneers made.
- Your dentist might also choose to apply temporary veneers, to protect your teeth while you wait for the custom version to arrive.
- Once your veneers are ready, your dentist will glue them to the surface of your teeth using resin cement.
Bonding and Veneers: Which Is Right For You?
The procedure you choose depends on a number of factors, the most important being the severity of the damage to your tooth. It also depends on whether the procedure is being done for oral health or cosmetic reasons. Dr. Loreen Wong, your downtown dentist in Calgary can help you select the right treatment for your needs.
- Porcelain veneers are the most durable choice, and come with the added advantage of being stain-resistant. The downside is that veneers require multiple visits for application.
- Veneers should not be used in areas where gum disease is present, on teeth that are too badly damage, or for patients with teeth-grinding issues.
- Bonding is a more versatile procedure. Your dentist cleans and shapes the resin once it’s cured, so that it can be made to match any tooth.
- The treatment you choose also depends on your insurance coverage. Most insurance companies will cover bonding or veneers to repair damage. If the procedure is purely cosmetic, it may not be covered by your insurance.
Bonding and veneers are both great options for repairing damage to your teeth, and can do wonders for cosmetic repair, as well. If you do have teeth repaired with bonding or veneers, be sure to care for them just like normal teeth, based on your dentist’s direction. The results are more than worth the effort, as a healthy smile is something you can enjoy every moment of the day.
Still on the fence about bonding and veneers? Take a look at some before-and-after photos of smiling patients from Loreen Wong Dentistry in downtown Calgary.
