Blog

24/11/2023

Composite bonding vs Veneers: Which is right for you?

Considering cosmetic dental treatment to improve the appearance of your smile? Here’s everything you need to know about composite bonding and veneers to help you choose the most suitable treatment.

Are chipped or cracked teeth getting you down?

Maybe you’ve got discolouration that whitening hasn’t been able to fix or a gap you want to fill without having to get braces?

Whatever the issues you have with your teeth, there are plenty of cosmetic dental treatments that can help you achieve your dream smile.

If you’ve looked into cosmetic dental treatments, you’ll have come across both veneers and composite bonding – but which of these treatments is best for you?

Here, our experts at Shawlands Dental Care explain the difference between composite bonding and veneers, as well as the pros and cons, to help you decide which treatment is right for you.

What is composite bonding?

Composite bonding – AKA cosmetic or dental bonding – helps patients improve the appearance of their teeth.

By attaching a composite resin to the affected teeth, composite bonding can restore their natural appearance by filling in any gaps and chips or correcting any discolouration and helping patients achieve a smile they can be proud of.

During your appointment, your dentist will select a resin colour to match the shade of your teeth and then prep your teeth for treatment by roughening the surface.

Your teeth will then be coated with a liquid to help the resin adhere smoothly, which will be applied and moulded into the desired shape and hardened with a curing light, before being polished until it matches the rest of the teeth.

Pros of composite bonding

Composite bonding has many benefits, including:

• It’s quick and effective – composite bonding treatments are complete in just one dental visit, and in most cases, patients are in and out within the hour – meaning you don’t have to wait long for your dream smile.
• It’s non-invasive – one of the best things about composite bonding is that no anaesthetic or excessive drilling is required, so no permanent damage to your natural teeth occurs.
• It’s cost-effective – composite bonding is one of the most affordable ways to improve the appearance of your smile, with prices for composite bonding in Glasgow starting at just £93!

Cons of composite bonding

Whilst there’s no denying the benefits, composite bonding comes with some disadvantages – the main one being that they’re not as hard-wearing as other cosmetic dental treatments, like crowns or veneers.

They’re much more prone to staining, so you have to be careful what you’re eating and drinking and keep on top of brushing.

The resin used in composite bonding treatments is also much more easily damaged, so you should be prepared to make an effort to avoid anything – like hard foods – and reining in bad habits of chewing pens, pencils or your fingernails, as this can all be risky.

What are veneers?

Veneers are thin porcelain mouldings which are bonded to the front surface of the teeth – providing a quick, fuss-free solution for stained, chipped and misshapen teeth.

In most cases, your teeth will need filing before having veneers placed.

An impression of your mouth will also be taken, and a temporary veneer fitted for you to wear for a few weeks while your final veneers are being crafted.

Finally, your permanent veneers will be fitted, using a strong dental glue to secure them to your natural teeth.

Pros of veneers

From being a quick and easy way to improve the appearance of your teeth to being low maintenance and boosting your confidence – veneers have many benefits.

In most cases, veneers can be fitted within just two dental visits, and you could have a whole new smile within just a few weeks of our initial consultation.

Whether you have chipped or cracked , misshapen or discoloured teeth, veneers can solve the problem.

Cons of veneers

There are some reasons why veneers may not be the right treatment for you, including:

• They’re more expensive – prices for veneers in Glasgow start at £861, so they aren’t the most budget-friendly option. Of course, you shouldn’t let the cost put you off seeking the treatments you require, but if you need something more affordable, it might be better to go down a different treatment route.
• Increased sensitivity – part of the procedure involves removing a thin layer of the enamel so that the veneer can be attached, which can cause some sensitivity. If you already suffer from sensitive teeth, this isn’t ideal, and you should look for less invasive treatments such as composite bonding to improve the appearance of your smile.
• They cause irreversible changes to your natural teeth – getting veneers changes the structure of your natural teeth underneath, due to the filing that needs to be done beforehand.

Need help choosing the perfect treatment?

When seeking treatment to improve the appearance of your smile, you, of course, want to be sure you’re making the right decision.

If you’re still in two minds over composite bonding and veneers and need specialist guidance, we’re here for you!

During an initial consultation with our team, we’ll assess the condition of your teeth and discuss your smile goals – offering our expert opinion on what we think would be best.

To book a consultation with us, call us on 01416 321 378 or head over to our to view our available appointments and select the one that best suits your schedule!