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Porcelain Veneers or Dental Bonding: Which Is Best for Your Chipped Tooth?
At Divine Smiles, Woburn and Winchester cosmetic dentist Dr. Ryan Clancy offers a great option for repairing chipped teeth: porcelain veneers.
You may have heard of dental bonding and wondered why are porcelain veneers better for chipped teeth? How do I know if porcelain veneers are really right for me? The best way is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Clancy, but we also offer this guide to help you understand the benefits and limitations of these tooth restoration treatments.
Is Your Tooth Just Chipped?
Before repairing your tooth, Woburn and Winchester cosmetic dentist Dr. Clancy will want to evaluate how damaged your tooth actually is. A force that can chip your teeth could also cause serious cracks that penetrate into the interior of your tooth or to the tooth root.
Some signs that your tooth might be more than chipped include:
- Visible cracks in the tooth
- Sensitivity to heat, cold, and pressure
- Discoloration of the tooth
These don’t always indicate your tooth is cracked. Even visible cracks might be what we call craze lines: superficial cracks that don’t affect the tooth’s structure or function. The only way to know for sure how badly your tooth is damaged is to talk to a dentist.
Dr. Clancy will evaluate your tooth for cracks. If your tooth has cracks that weakened the tooth, Dr. Clancy will recommend a dental crown that can support and protect your tooth. If the crack goes into the tooth’s interior, root canal therapy can protect you from a dangerous tooth infection. Sometimes a crack penetrates into the tooth root, and it might not be possible to save the tooth.
What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is a composite material. It’s a resin (plastic) that includes other materials (such as ceramic) for additional strength and beauty.
Bonding is initially soft and shapeable. Woburn and Winchester cosmetic dentist Dr. Clancy will shape it to replace the lost part of the tooth, then cure it with a special light, so it is very hard. For large repairs, Dr. Clancy might layer the bonding: shaping one layer at a time and then curing it to ensure the entire repair is fully hardened. Once cured, a final polish helps it look like natural tooth enamel.
Dental bonding gives great initial results. It’s a quick procedure: you can get a tooth repaired in a single visit.
However, dental bonding is not the strongest or the longest-lasting restoration. Depending on the size and placement of your chipped tooth, bonding might last a few years, say 3-7.
What Are Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin facades of advanced ceramic that fit over the front and sometimes the top of your damaged tooth.
People often think that porcelain veneers are fragile, but the veneers are actually very strong. Some of the ceramics used in veneers are stronger than your natural teeth and are related to ceramics used in bulletproof vests and tank armor.
Porcelain Veneers Are the Best for Chipped Teeth
Choose porcelain veneers when you are looking for:
- The most attractive results
- Long-lasting results
- Larger repairs
- Repairs to multiple teeth at once
The ceramic of porcelain veneers mimic natural tooth enamel better than any other restoration option.
Porcelain veneers are long-lasting cosmetic treatments. Properly cared for, porcelain veneers can last 10-15 years or more. The strength of veneers also means they can repair teeth that need extensive repairs–anything short of structural damage to the tooth.
Dental bonding is fast for a single repair. However, when more teeth need repairs, the procedure slows down a lot. It makes more sense to use veneers. Dental veneers always take about the same amount of time: two visits plus 1-2 weeks for the dental lab to make the veneers and send them to us.
Repairs for Chipped Teeth in Woburn and Winchester
If you don’t like the appearance of your chipped teeth, let Woburn and Winchester cosmetic dentist Dr. Ryan Clancy help.
Please call (781) 396-8558 or use our online contact form to request an appointment at Divine Smiles, serving the Woburn and Winchester area from our location in Woburn, MA, in Horn Pond Plaza across from the Whole Foods.
By Ryan M. Clancy, DMD, MAGD, LVIF, FPFA, FIAPA | October 19th, 2022 | General Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers
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