Teeth Bonding vs Veneers: Which is a better Option?

Depending on your personal lifestyle habits and care/maintenance, can last for 3 to 10 years, but may last as long as 15 or more in some patients. The results are not as long-lasting as veneers, but it is a budget-friendly way to get similar results.

Teeth bonding is ideal for patients that want a quick, budget-friendly way to improve the appearance of their smile. If you are considering teeth bonding, it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages of Teeth Bonding

The advantages of dental bonding are:

• Low risk of complications
• Reversible
• Minimally invasive
• Budget-friendly compared to other options
• Can be completed in one appointment
• Can be repaired more easily if it chips

Disadvantages of Teeth Bonding

There are a few disadvantages of teeth bonding as well:

• Limitations to what it can do
• Does not last as long as veneers or crowns 
• Does not resist stains as well as veneers or crowns

Teeth bonding is significantly less expensive than veneers or crowns. On average, bonding costs $200 to $1000 per tooth. Since it is typically labeled as a cosmetic procedure, most dental insurance plans will not cover this treatment.

Dental veneers are more invasive than teeth bonding. Since some of the enamel is scraped off, local anesthesia is often used. Since the process is so extensive, typically 3 or more  appointments are required. 

• The first appointment usually includes consultation and planning including a discussion about desired results. 
• At the second appointment the teeth may be prepared to create the create space for the veneers to sit. Then, an impression will be taken of the teeth and sent to the dental lab for the fabrication of your veneers. During that time provisional or temporary veneers will be placed that should be similar in size and shape to the planned final veneers. This will allow you to test drive your new smile. 
• In a few weeks, the lab will send the veneers to the clinic. When you return to have them placed, the dentist will remove the provisional veneers, try in the final veneers to allow for your approval. After your approval the veneers will be securely bonded to the tooth.

Composite resin veneers last an average of 5 to 7 years, while porcelain may last up to 20 or more with proper care and maintenance.

Dental veneers are an irreversible procedure for improving the appearance of teeth. The advantages and disadvantages of dental veneers include:

Advantages of Dental Veneers

The advantages of dental veneers include:

• Easily whiten your smile
• Improves minor cosmetic issues
• Natural looking
• Stain-resistant
• Durable, long-lasting compared to teeth bonding

Disadvantages of Dental Veneers

The disadvantages of dental veneers are:

• Expensive, dental insurance typically does not cover
• Irreversible
• May cause sensitivity

Several factors go into the cost of dental veneers, including:

• Type of veneer
• How many are needed
• Location of dental clinic
• Experience/expertise of the dentist
• Dental insurance coverage

This is considered a cosmetic procedure, so most dental insurance providers will not cover treatment. On average, composite resin veneers range from $250 to $1,500 per tooth and porcelain costs $925 to $2,500 per tooth.

Dental veneers are the more expensive option. They can cost up to $2,500 per tooth for porcelain veneers and dental insurance typically will not cover the procedure at all. 

On the other hand, teeth bonding costs up to $400 per tooth and, depending on whether the procedure is medically necessary, insurance may cover a portion of the cost.

Porcelain veneers can last up to 20 years or more with proper care and maintenance, but they can be chipped or cracked if you bite down on something hard. If they are damaged, they must be replaced. Composite veneers can be repaired if they are damaged for any reason, but they are only designed to last an average of 5 to 7 years.

Teeth bonding typically lasts for about 3 to 10 years.

Both dental veneers and teeth bonding look natural if the procedure is done properly.

Since enamel is removed for the placement of dental veneers, this procedure is irreversible.

Teeth bonding, on the other hand, is completely reversible.