I fell and ended up with an ugly chip in my front tooth. I need to get it fixed and was wondering what would work better, porcelain veneers or dental bonding?

– Jo Ann in Michigan

Jo Ann,

Sorry to hear about your fall. As long as you aren’t in pain, then cosmetic dentistry should take care of it. You are correct in considering porcelain veneers and dental bonding for an issue like this.

Dental bonding is a tooth colored composite material that is pressed into place and shaped to mimic your natural tooth. It only takes one appointment. But in many cases dental bonding is more of a temporary fix. Bonding tends to chip or take on stain and needs to be replaced regularly. The thing is that each time it is replaced, more of your natural tooth structure is removed. Over time, this means your natural tooth won’t be as strong. Dental bonding is less expensive than porcelain veneers.

A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is permanently bonded to the surface of the tooth. It take more than one appointment and requires a ceramist be involved in created the final result. In the meantime, the cosmetic dentist will place a temporary veneer. So there is a little time (a couple weeks) between the preparation of the tooth and the final application. It is imperative that you select an experienced cosmetic dentist because cosmetic dentistry that is highly visible on your front tooth requires an artistic, trained eye. Don’t just go with any dentist that says they do veneers. Ask about their credentials and ask to see examples of cases similar to yours. Porcelain veneers last much longer but are more expensive.

Your best bet is to find the right cosmetic dentist and trust the recommendation given, whether dental bonding or veneers.