We treat so much more than the health of your teeth and gums at our Plano, TX practice. Helping you achieve a more beautiful smile is one of our top priorities. Cosmetic dentistry treatments such as dental bonding and porcelain veneers can improve the appearance of your smile.

Learn more about porcelain veneers vs. dental bonding in this blog post, and then contact Advanced Dental Center to schedule your appointment with us.

Beautiful Results

Teeth are so much more than tools for chewing. Your smile is your first impression. It is the first thing many people notice about you. It conveys your health and happiness to strangers and friends. Having the smile that you want is important for your self-confidence.

Combining her experience and advanced training in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Hopkins creates total smile makeovers by using methods that are best for patient’s health and lifestyle.

Uses and Advantages of Dental Bonding

One such method is dental bonding. The composite material that dentists bond to teeth during dental bonding treatments closely mimics the texture and appearance of your natural tooth. Generally, it is used to camouflage, fill, or repair areas of the tooth that are damaged or discolored.

Typically, dental bonding can treat:

  • Cavities: Composite fillings are used to fill the hole left by cavities.
  • Gaps between teeth: Your dentist can close or reduce the gap between teeth, without any orthodontic work.
  • Cracked or chipped teeth: Damaged teeth can be quickly repaired, which may help protect against a future root canal or extraction.
  • Surface stains or discoloration: A covering of composite material can brighten the appearance of damaged or discolored teeth.
  • Misshapen teeth: By strategically applying composite, your dentist can improve your teeth’s uniformity.

If you have a discolored or chipped tooth, or want to improve a tooth’s shape, composite bonding is probably just one treatment option your dentist will recommend.

It has definite advantages over more invasive procedures. With composite bonding, you can preserve your tooth’s enamel. To prep the tooth for bonding, your dentist often only needs to file the area slightly to provide a textured surface on which the resin can bond.

Preserving enamel is always beneficial; enamel protects your tooth’s vulnerable inner core, and once it is gone, it cannot grow back.

In addition, dental bonding treatments are considerably less expensive than veneers or crowns, and the procedure can be completed in just one appointment.

Uses and Advantages of Porcelain Veneers

Another popular and more permanent cosmetic solution is porcelain veneers; these are thin, but strong pieces of medical-grade ceramic material that dentists use to conceal imperfections in otherwise healthy teeth.

Veneers cover the front, visible surfaces of the teeth and are a great option for patients with teeth that are:

  • Unevenly spaced
  • Misshapen
  • Discolored
  • Chipped
  • Deeply stained

To begin, your dentist preps the natural teeth by removing a thin layer of enamel, creating a more textured surface on which the veneer can bond. Next, the dentist takes impressions of the teeth so the final veneers fit over the natural teeth.

Patients may receive temporary veneers while the final, custom veneers are made.

Dr. Hopkins adheres the final veneers to the natural teeth with dental cement, and finely shape and polish them. A brand-new smile can be achieved in just two office visits.

The Best Treatment for You

Determining your treatment involves looking at the cost of each procedure, the aftercare and maintenance, the strength of your teeth, and your smile expectations.

Dental bonding is considerably less expensive than porcelain veneers, making it a more popular option for patients who want to make a smaller but still dramatic impact on their smile.

However, dental bonding must be performed more frequently than porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers last up to 20 years with routine care and good oral hygiene, while dental bonding may need to be replaced about every 10 years or less.

If maintaining more enamel is important to you, dental bonding may be a better option, since porcelain veneers treatment is considered permanent due to the amount of enamel that must be removed for placement.

Dr. Hopkins can examine your teeth and talk to you about your goals to determine the best treatment option for you.

Schedule Your Cosmetic Dentistry Appointment Today

If you are ready to create the smile of your dreams, contact our office. You can have a brand-new smile in just a couple of appointments or less. Call us at (972) 597-0471.