Cosmetic Dentistry |5 min read

Teeth Bonding vs. Veneers: Which One Should You Choose?

So you’re taking the first step to change your smile:

Researching everything you can possibly know about cosmetic dentistry!

Many people wonder,

“Which one should I choose: veneers or bonding?”

While teeth bonding vs. dental veneers is a popular Google search, people are even more confused with what option would work better for them.

But, have no fear.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

  • Advantages and disadvantages of veneers
  • Advantages and disadvantages of bonding
  • Cost differences
  • Which one is better for you

Let’s get started!

Advantages of dental bonding

Text: Advantages of dental bonding: Can be done in one treatment, no removal of tooth enamel, affordable

Cosmetic bonding is quicker, relatively easy, and cheaper when compared to dental veneers.

And the best part?

It requires no removal or reshaping of your tooth enamel at all.

In addition:

The resin material used is painted to match your natural teeth. It blends in naturally so no one will notice you have dental work done.

Dental bonding fixes:

  • Chipped teeth
  • Discoloration
  • Small gaps between teeth

Bonding is done in one visit and doesn’t require extra maintenance on top of your regular oral care routine.

If you want a quick enhancement for your smile, this may be the perfect solution for you.

Disadvantages of dental bonding

The biggest disadvantage of dental bonding is that it doesn’t last as long as veneers, and its color may dull over time.

They require touch-ups and check-ins more frequently with your doctor than veneers would.

In addition:

You can’t whiten dental bonding.

So let’s say you need a smile adjustment to match your newly whitened teeth. In that case, your dentist will have to redo the coloring on your dental bonding to shade it correctly.

With that in mind:

If you’re looking for a more permanent fix to your smile, veneers may be what you’re looking for!

How much does teeth bonding cost?

The national average of dental bonding is anywhere between $200 to $400 per tooth.

This range in cost depends on a few factors, including:

  • The geographic location of your dentist: Different costs of living will affect your dentist’s rate (i.e., dental work in Missouri vs. dental work in New York City)
  • Your dentist’s level of expertise: This will determine how durable and natural-looking your bonding will be
  • Quantity: How many teeth need bonding

However:

The only way to get an exact quote is by scheduling a consultation with your dentist.

If you’re in the Columbia, SC area, Dr. Justin Griffin offers free online smile consultations to help you get started. WildeWood Aesthetic Dentistry also offers third-party financing and accepts major credit cards!

REQUEST AN ONLINE CONSULTATION

Advantages of veneers

Text: Advantages of veneers: Covers a wide range of smile flaws, lasts for 7-20 years, stain resistant

There are many cosmetic advantages of veneers.

Two popular types of dental veneers are porcelain veneers and prepless veneers.

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that adhere to the front of your teeth.

They restore a wider range of smile flaws than bonding, including:

  • Alignment: No more gaps! You’ll improve your bite and tooth position without orthodontics
  • Strength: Restore broken, chipped, and cracked teeth
  • Discolored, stained, or yellowed teeth: Veneers keep your smile bright and are stain-resistant

The most significant advantage of veneers is that they last anywhere between 7-20 years on average.

In addition:

Dental veneers transform your smile and are fully customizable to the smile style you want. 

Veneers are durable, similar to the strength of your natural teeth.

But don’t take that as a green light to keep on chewing ice or biting your nails!

It’s more resistant – not indestructible.

Disadvantages of veneers

While there are many perks to veneers, there are some things you should keep in mind about the process.

Veneers do require more prep on your natural tooth.

Traditional or composite veneers require removing a small amount of tooth enamel to help the veneer fit securely and look natural.

But, there is an alternative for similarly stunning results if you don’t want to remove enamel or want a reversible treatment:

Prepless veneers!

Veneers may take multiple appointments from the consultation to the final fitting. In between, you’ll wear temporary veneers to show a preview of what your smile will look like while the lab finishes crafting custom-made shells.

If you notice signs of chips and cracks in your smile, you may be grinding your teeth at night (bruxism).

With veneers, grinding can also cause them to crack, so you should consider getting a nightguard to protect your teeth.

Another thing to consider is:

The cost of veneers per tooth can be 3-5x more than cosmetic bonding.

How much do veneers cost?

On average, porcelain veneers range between $900-$2500 per tooth.

However:

Like bonding costs, the only way to get an exact quote is to schedule a consultation with your dentist.

REQUEST AN ONLINE CONSULTATION

Teeth bonding vs. veneers: Which should I get?

It’s a tough question but it ultimately boils down to two main things:

  • Your dentist’s recommendation
  • Your timeline, budget, and smile goals

And again, the best way to decide which cosmetic dentistry treatment is right for you is to schedule a consultation with your dentist.

Every individual is different, so while one method may be better for someone, it may not necessarily be the best choice for you.

For example:

Someone who wants to hide discolored teeth may prefer veneers over bonding due to its customization ability and being stain-resistant.

On the other hand:

An individual with a small chip in their tooth might opt for a quick fix with dental bonding.

Looking for teeth bonding or veneers in Columbia, SC?

Book a consultation with our expert cosmetic dentist, Dr. Griffin to get the best service for dental bonding in Columbia, SC. He has the artistry and expertise to craft a smile to your liking, with either bonding or veneers.

His training and credentials include:

During your consultation at WildeWood Aesthetic Dentistry, we’ll go over your smile goals, timeline, and budget, so there are no surprises.

Love your smile now!

REQUEST AN IN-OFFICE CONSULTATION

REQUEST AN ONLINE CONSULTATION

Or:

Our office is conveniently located in Columbia, SC… This text opens a new tab to the Google Maps website…, and we happily welcome patients from the neighboring communities of Irmo, Lexington, Camden, Blythewood, and Elgin, SC. We also serve patients from out of state!