Friday, December 16, 2011
How Bonding And Veneers Are Different
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA -The beauty of cosmetic dentistry is that there are a variety of ways to improve the look of a smile and fix dental imperfections.
A very popular option at Dr. Khalil Sage” Saghezchi’s San Jose cosmetic dentistry practice is porcelain veneers. He says patients looking for dramatic results or an extreme makeover of their smiles often choose this option.
Porcelain Veneers
Veneers are tooth-colored shells hand-sculpted by professional, laboratory artists that the dentist attaches to the front surface of the natural tooth. They provide patients with a customized smile that matches their natural teeth.
“Porcelain veneers can cover gaps and chips, as well as change the appearance of small, worn or irregularly-shaped teeth,” says Dr. Saghezchi. The veneers give patients a symmetrical, white smile that balances with their bone structure and facial features.
Some of the newer veneer options, such as Lumineers, Durathin and Vivaneers, only require minimal preparation or none at all. They typically do not require the dentist to grind, cut or file down any-or as much-tooth structure for proper placement. Just like traditional porcelain veneers, these minimal or no preparation alternatives are bonded to the surface of the teeth.
Porcelain veneers are as strong as natural teeth, resist discoloration and are usually a permanent restoration. The dentist does not recommend they be used for extremely crooked teeth. Their drawbacks are that they can be costly, some types of veneers may be time-consuming to prepare and apply and rule out certain cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening.
Another popular option among cosmetic dentistry procedures-and an alternative to veneers-is dental bonding.
Dental Bonding
Whereas veneers are hard, thin shells, bonding is a malleable material that is “molded” or applied in a thin layer onto the tooth and hardened, changing the appearance of the tooth. This composite material is carefully matched to the color of the existing teeth and applied during one office visit. Bonding is a durable, minimally invasive and typically reversible procedure.
“Bonding is considered a conservative restoration method but provides excellent results,” says Dr. Saghezchi. “It also allows patients to ‘upgrade’ to a permanent restoration at a later date if they desire to do so.”
He uses dental bonding at his practice to repair quite a few cosmetic dental problems for his patients:
• Tooth decay
• Chipped and cracked teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Small spaces or crevices between teeth
• Worn or misshapen teeth
• Gum recession sensitivity
Bonding is not usually recommended for large cosmetic changes or areas that receive excessive bite pressure like the molars.
The Main Differences
Veneers are usually permanent while bonding is reversible. Veneers require tooth preparation, including shaving down portions of the natural tooth, whereas bonding is non-invasive and does not require the tooth surface be reshaped.
Prices vary by the extent of the restoration and type of material, but the average cost of dental bonding procedures ranges from $300 to $600 per tooth and porcelain veneers cost between $900 and $2,500 per tooth.
“Each person has a slightly different set of circumstances and goal for their smile,” says Dr. Saghezchi. “One of the aspects of cosmetic dentistry that I like is that there is always an option that fits for each one.”
After patients consult with Dr. Saghezchi about their dental concerns, he can make a recommendation about the ideal procedure them.
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