Brockley Dental Blog, Cosmetic Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers, Restorative Dentistry, Teeth Whitening

Veneers vs. Bonding: Understanding the Key Differences

Veneers vs. Bonding in Butler, PA | Enhance Your Smile Today

Do you feel insecure about the appearance of your smile? You are far from alone! Studies show that even children as young as 4 years old exhibit unconscious sensitivity about the appearance of their smile. At Brockley Dental Center, we believe everyone deserves to feel good about themselves and their smile. Fortunately, we offer amazing cosmetic dentistry procedures that enhance the appearance of your smile, like dental veneers! Some of the most popular cosmetic procedures patients seek are dental veneers or bonding, but how do you know which is right for you? Understanding the key differences between veneers vs. bonding is the first step to perfecting your smile!

Veneers vs. Bonding: Procedure

Dental bonding and veneers both enhance the aesthetics of your smile. Improving issues like discoloration, cracks, chips, or misalignment are important abilities both cosmetic procedures have. Their methods, however, are very different.

Dental Bonding Process

Dental bonding involves using a tooth-colored composite resin applied directly to the tooth with minimal preparation. For a dental bonding procedure, the surface enamel of your teeth must undergo a light etching, roughing up the front of your smile. This allows the composite resin to attach to your teeth securely.

Then, the resin is applied wherever you need, shaping your tooth, filling in chips, and covering stains. Afterward, a special light cures the resin, hardening it into a durable material that is smoothed to match the rest of your smile.

Dental Veneers Process

Veneers vs. Bonding in Butler, PA | Enhance Your Smile Today

Dental veneers, in contrast, are thin sheets of porcelain or ceramic that are already hard and durable. For veneers, the tooth preparation process is a little different.

Because we place these thin sheets directly on your tooth, we need to create room for them to sit flush with your natural teeth. To do this, we gently scrape off your damaged enamel and cement your veneers in their place, providing a perfectly customized smile.

The number of veneers we place depends on your needs. While some patients may want to cover one, stained tooth, others may want to redesign their smile line! A smile line usually involves the 8-12 teeth that show when you smile, perfecting the smile you show to the world. While this is more expensive due to the amount of veneers, it often provides better aesthetic results!

Unlike bonding, which is shaped on the tooth, veneers are pre-manufactured to your exact shape, length, size, and color preference. Once we prepare your teeth, you will wear temporary veneers to protect them while your final product is crafted. While waiting, you can make changes to your temporary veneers, which we reflect in your final version!

Once your final veneers arrive, we cement them on your teeth to provide your ideal smile.

Veneers vs. Bonding: Product

While bonding and veneers both provide beautiful teeth, the end products usually differ.

With dental bonding, the resin usually only covers the portions of your tooth you want to improve. This can make their appearance a bit less natural-looking, differing slightly from your surrounding teeth.

Additionally, dental bonding procedures typically last 5-10 years and only if you care for your smile properly. While the composite resin material is durable, it can break or chip and can accumulate discoloration from staining drinks like coffee or red wine.

Dental veneers cover the entire surface of the tooth, providing a natural appearance for your smile. We make each veneer your ideal shape, size, and color, blending in with your natural teeth seamlessly.

The lifespan of dental veneers varies depending on the material, but porcelain veneers tend to last 10-15 years, or even 20 if you practice good oral hygiene! This involves brushing and flossing daily, as well as routine dental visits to Brockley Dental Center!

Veneers vs. Bonding: Price

Dental bonding is typically less costly than veneers since veneers utilize more expensive materials. However, the more expensive materials tend to last longer, which may outweigh the costs.

While insurance typically doesn’t cover cosmetic procedures, they may cover some bonding procedures if they’re for restorative purposes. Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t often cover veneers, but Brockley Dental Center provides affordable solutions!

We partner with the third-party financing company CareCredit, which provides flexible financing options for patients like you! CareCredit helps you split the cost of veneers up into manageable monthly payments that make the procedure much more affordable!

Your Smile, Your Way, at Brockley Dental Center in Butler, PA

At Brockley Dental Center, we believe you deserve a smile you love! Though dental bonding and veneers are two popular cosmetic treatments, they differ in procedure, product, and price. By providing dental veneers, we give you the opportunity to enhance the appearance of your smile effectively, affordably, and comfortably.

Book a consultation at Brockley Dental Center today to learn if you are a good candidate for dental veneers!

Follow Brockley Dental Center to learn more about our veneer process on Facebook.

Donald B. Brockley, DMD

Dr. Brockley earned his doctorate degree in Dental Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine in 1972. He is a second generation dentist and a legacy of the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine where his father, Dr. Charles R. Brockley earned his doctorate in general dentistry in the year 1927. While attending the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine, he held the office of Class Secretary for his graduating class. Following dental school, he chose to do his residency training at Wilmington Medical Center in Wilmington, Delaware, with a focus on research. Upon completing his residency, Dr. Brockley enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam War Era as a Naval Officer. Dr. Brockley opened his own private practice 1975 in Butler, PA a historic town just 34 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Brockley held the office of President of the Butler County Dental Society. After many years of practice, Dr. Brockley realized that fear is the #1 reason why people do not visit their dentist regularly. Therefore, he made it his mission to find an alternative way to practice (and to help his patients overcome this fear). This alternative was through Sedation Dentistry. In 1996 he became trained in Conscious Oral Sedation. This technique allowed him to treat fearful patients by gently putting them to sleep with the aid of a pill, not needle IV sedation which was the popular treatment at that time. Dr. Brockley received his dental training at the following institutions: University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA Tufts University, School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA University of North Carolina, School of Dentistry, Raleigh, NC Mini Dental Implant Training Centre, Buffalo, NY. Due to the high number of patients who are diabetic in his practice, his next goal was to understand the impact of Diabetes in Dentistry. Due to the subset of Diabetic patients in his practice who had similar recurring oral and systemic health problems, special attention became warranted. This led to a different standard of care and treatment for patients whose health was compromised by diabetes. Early detection, observation, evaluation and treatment to eradicate infection plays a major role in maintaining oral health for diabetic patients. Poorly managed treatment for diabetic patients has been shown to lead to a higher risk of uncontrolled gum disease and vice versa, making prevention of gum disease the #1 priority for this subset of patients. Dr. Brockley’s research on dentistry for diabetics led him to his next specialization: the treatment and eradication of gum disease. His aim has been to change the the treatment of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. For this reason, he designed a radically different protocol to the Soft Tissue Management (STM) program. STM treats the symptoms of gum disease, and more importantly, the underlying cause of gum disease, bacteria. Studies have shown that gum disease affects 80% of American adults. However, Dr. Brockley has observed that more than 90% of his baby boomer patients have gum disease. His unique STM protocol has shown significant success within his patient population. With patient knowledge, understanding, and cooperation, Dr. Brockley is able to arrest and manage gum disease in his practice. After perfecting his procedures for crowns, bridges, partials and dentures to replace missing teeth, the introduction of Small Diameter Implants (also known as SDI or Mini Dental Implants) into his practice has revolutionized the way Dr. Brockley practices cosmetic dentistry. Small Diameter Implants provide the possibility of full mouth restoration, multiple teeth restoration, or single tooth restoration. Small Diameter Implants can be implemented in all types of tooth and bone conditions, in all ages, and in all types of health conditions. Dr. Brockley uses Small Diameter Implants to restore chewing ability and create beautiful smiles, which ultimately changes peoples’ lives. Dr. Brockley is the proud owner and operator of the first Mini Dental Implant Center of America in the Greater Pittsburgh area. Dr. Brockley has achieved Diplomate status in the International Academy of Mini Dental Implants. He is the President Emeritus of the Butler County Dental Society. Dr. Brockley was also a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps. He is a a lifetime member of the Delta Sigma Dental Fraternity, and he was the Class Secretary for the University of Pittsburgh Dental School. Dr. Brockley likes to spend time with his family at home or while traveling, has been an avid scuba diver since 1980, and describes himself as a “just okay” golfer.

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