Should I Enhance My Teeth with Veneers or Cosmetic Dental Bonding?

March 21, 2025

Lady smiles with pretty teeth

Cosmetic dentistry has allowed countless patients to enhance their smiles by concealing defects like chips, cracks, stains, gaps, and misshapenness with beautifully lifelike restorations. There are a wide variety of aesthetic dental treatments available, and veneers and cosmetic dental bonding are among the most popular. Here’s a brief overview of how these procedures work as well as a few of their pros and cons.

Cosmetic Dental Bonding Is Simple, Effective, and Noninvasive

Many people have minor dental defects like cracks, chips, gaps, and stains that can make them a little shy about showing off their grins, and some individuals are anxious about treatments that alter the structure of their teeth. Cosmetic dental bonding is an effective treatment that can painlessly address these flaws in minutes without anesthesia or recovery time.

To perform cosmetic dental bonding, your dentist will apply a small amount of tooth-colored composite resin to the targeted defect and shape this putty-like material to match the natural curves of your teeth. Then, they will use a specialized UV light to harden the resin and create a lifelike restoration that can last for up to three years if it receives excellent care.

Veneers Are Versatile, Long-Lasting, and Transformative

Some people have extensive dental flaws such as gaps, stains, chips, cracks, and misshapenness that make it difficult them to be proud of their smiles. Veneers were first introduced as a way to temporarily alter an actor’s smile for a movie scene, but they have since evolved into an effective and durable cosmetic treatment. These devices are thin ceramic shells designed to be cemented over teeth to give them an ideal new image, and they can last for up to fifteen years before needing replacement if they receive great care.

Veneers typically take two appointments to place. During the first, your dentist will apply an appropriate anesthetic before carefully removing a small amount of enamel from the treated teeth to make room. They will then take bite impressions and fit you with a temporary set of veneers so you can get used to wearing them. You’ll come back to the office about two weeks later after your permanent veneers arrive. Then, your dentist will fix your appliances in place and make any final adjustments before sending you on your way.

During your consultation, your oral healthcare provider will discuss your needs and goals and evaluate your oral health to recommend the appropriate treatment for you. You will need to be free of tooth decay and gum disease before receiving either of these treatments, but your dentist will be happy to address these issues in their office.

About the Practice

Lakewood Complete Dentistry offers the most excellent oral health services in town. Led by Dr. Vincenzo Artino, the staff ensures that each patient receives exemplary courtesy and customer service in a clean and welcoming office environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as veneers and cosmetic dental bonding. To book your cosmetic dental consultation, contact the office online or dial (303) 238-2800.