Porcelain vs (Resin) Bonding

Possessing a winning smile is an important asset in life. It can help with creating first impressions, finding a mate, and improving your self-image. If you suffer from stained, chipped, or misaligned teeth, a dental veneer may be just what you need to freshen you smile.

Dr. Alberto Castaneda works with both porcelain and resin type veneers that can be bonded to your teeth to give you the brightest smile possible.

Porcelain
These thin veneers are made out of fired ceramic using the same processes and material used to create quality dinnerware and china statuettes. When fired, the porcelain veneer provides a more natural translucent quality to the tooth, closely resembling the tooth enamel it replaces. 

In a typical dental office, because each veneer is custom made and custom colored to create the most natural smile possible, being fitted with porcelain veneers takes at least two visits. However, Dr. Castaneda uses a revolutionary process called CEREC where the appliance is made in the office while you wait. During the evaluation and impression process, the color is decided upon, and the teeth are prepared by removing a thin layer of enamel. Only a fraction of a millimeter is removed to prevent giving unnatural bulk to the tooth once the veneer is in place. 

After removing the thin layer of enamel, impressions are made of each tooth to be replaced. Since the fabrication is performed in the office, a temporary veneer is not necessary. When ready, the veneers are placed and evaluated. If the color or the appearance is not desirable, this is the time to rework the mold for the veneer. Once the covering is bonded to the enamel, it is difficult to make any adjustments.

In order to prevent many multiple visits to the cosmetic dentist; several of the front top teeth may be veneered at the same time. This also helps ensure that the color and placement of the veneers provide the best smile possible. A porcelain veneer is not porous and does not stain, but it can chip if not properly cared for.

Resin
Made out of composite material, resin veneer is basically a tooth colored filling material. It can also be crafted as a veneer and placed at the dentist's office. The composite material is not as bright as the porcelain veneer, but is also not as fragile. Being more porous, the resin composite is more susceptible to staining from tobacco and strongly pigmented drinks.

Composite resin is more cost effective than porcelain and may be recommended for lower teeth, or problem teeth that do not really detract from your smile.

Either option requires the skills and expertise of a qualified cosmetic dentist. To determine which dental veneer option will give you back your winning smile in the Shawnee or Kansas City area; contact Dr. Castaneda to schedule an cosmetic dentistry consultation today.

If you would like to learn more about dental bonding or any of the cosmetic dentistry procedures offered in our Shawnee, KS office, please call or email today to schedule your initial consultation.

AACD

Dr. Castaneda and the staff at Discover Dental Care serve cosmetic dentistry patients in Shawnee, Overland Park and Kansas City, KS.

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