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Dental bonding and veneers are two dental treatments that are commonly used to improve the appearance of teeth, but can also be used to fix cracked or broken teeth. While the two treatments are used for similar purposes, there are several differences between the two that are important to understand.  

What Is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is a dental procedure that is used to improve the shape or appearance of a tooth and that can also be used to protect a tooth. Bonding fills, repairs, or improves the aesthetic appearance of tooth using tooth-colored composite resin. This resin is applied directly to the surface of the tooth without removing any dental enamel and is then sculpted and polished to match other teeth.

Bonding can typically be performed in a single visit providing a quick and effective solution for minor corrections. When done correctly, dental bonding is long lasting, durable, wear-resistant, and looks natural. Bonding is typically used to address dental issues such as:

• Repairing teeth that are cracked, chipped, worn, or decayed
• Improving the appearance of stained or discolored teeth
• Closing spaces or gaps between teeth
• Changing the shape or length of teeth or straightening uneven edges
• Protecting exposed tooth roots from receding gums

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are custom-made porcelain shells used to cover the visible surface of a tooth. Veneers are made to match the appearance of a natural tooth both in color and shape. Veneers can be applied in one or two dental visits, but a thin layer of dental enamel will need to be removed from the natural teeth in order to create space for the veneer itself.

Veneers are extremely durable, flexible, less susceptible to fracturing, and easy to maintain. They are an effective solution for improving the appearance of minor flaws such as chipped, misaligned, discolored or gapped teeth.. They are not an effective solution for major dental issues, as they require a significant amount of tooth structure for the veneer to adhere to.  

Choosing Between Bonding And Veneers

Deciding which treatment will be most beneficial for you is best done with the help of a skilled and knowledgeable dentist. At Foutz Family Dentistry, Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS, has over 30 years of experience and expertise that allows him to make the best recommendation for each individual patient.

In general, dental bonding is recommended for patients who:

• Have aesthetic concerns about their smile
• Are unhappy with discoloration
• Would like to fix minor flaws such as a small chip, crack, or gap
• Would like to improve the appearance of short or misshapen teeth
• Need to repair minor decay or protect exposed tooth roots
• Have not experienced excessive tooth decay or trauma
• Have healthy teeth with healthy roots and enamel

Veneers are typically a better solution for patients who:

• Have severely stained or discolored teeth
• Would like to fix cosmetic issues such as teeth that are mildly crooked, chipped, misshapen, or cracked
• Have sufficient tooth enamel
• Who do not have severely misaligned teeth or bite
• Who do not grind or clench their teeth
• Have healthy teeth and strong oral hygiene habits

To learn more about dental bonding and veneers in Henderson, NV, call Foutz Family Dentistry today at (702) 792-5929. During a consultation, Dr. Foutz will assess the condition of your teeth along with your needs and concerns and recommend the solution that will be most beneficial.

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929

Veneers are a great way to improve the appearance of a smile and boost self-confidence. Veneers have become a very popular procedure due to simple and effective way they can be used to cover imperfections restoring the smile of people with discolored, chipped or gapped teeth.

Traditionally, porcelain veneers are used for the procedure. However, the thickness of a porcelain veneer requires that some of the healthy enamel be removed in order to make space for the veneer and improve the bonding surface. Without removing this portion of the enamel, the veneer would create a crowded appearance and potentially reduce the effectiveness of the bond.

No-prep veneers provide an alternative to the traditional porcelain veneer. A no-prep veneer is adhesively bonded to the front surface of a tooth and typically reduces the potential need for the filing or grinding of tooth enamel. At Foutz Family Dentistry, we have extensive experience performing superior veneer procedures using either porcelain or no-prep veneers.

Conventional Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are generally regarded as the better long-term solution for improving the appearance of teeth that are misshapen or stained. Porcelain veneers typically maintain their color over several years, however they require the removal of healthy enamel and the procedure is also irreversible. Once the procedure has been performed it cannot be reversed since the healthy enamel has already been removed from your teeth. Porcelain provides a durable and permanent option that is easy to maintain with a reduced possibility to chip or break.

How No-Prep Veneers Become Viable

No-prep veneers provide the option of returning to your original teeth or making further modifications to your teeth. No-prep veneers do not require extensive preparation or thinning of the enamel for the procedure to be done. They are designed to be extremely thin, sometimes not thicker than that of a contact lens and can be applied through a non-invasive technique allowing healthy enamel to remain intact. Through no-prep veneers the need to remove tooth enamel is eliminated while still providing an effective solution for improving the appearance of a smile.

Advantages Of No-Prep Veneers

A growing number of people are uncomfortable with the idea of permanently modifying healthy teeth, stripping them of enamel as such no-prep veneers provide several advantages including:

• Hiding dental imperfections just as conventional porcelain veneers would. No-prep veneers are still effective for masking cracked, chipped, misshapen or stained teeth.
• A procedure that is completely non-invasive and does not require anesthetics with a reduced healing time or discomfort.
• Reduced likelihood of sensitivity to hot or cold beverages or food since no enamel is removed.
• Immediate results without the need for multiple office visits or temporary veneers.

Important To Know About No-Prep Veneers

No-prep veneers are generally better suited for people with smaller teeth and a workable measure of good alignment. No-prep veneers may not be an effective option for those with teeth that are extremely irregular in shape or size. No-prep veneers are extremely thin and are more translucent than conventional porcelain veneers, which may not cover severe tooth discoloration completely.

Henderson No-Prep Veneers

At Foutz Family Dentistry in Henderson, Nevada, we offer the possibility of superior veneer options. Dr. Barton H. Foutz is able to help you determine the most suitable veneer for your individual situation. For more information about Henderson veneers, contact Foutz Family Dentistry today at (702) 792-5929.

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929

There are many factors that can affect a person’s smile. Teeth can become discolored or stained preventing some from smiling confidently. Others may have gaps in between their teeth, while still others may have gotten their tooth chipped, moved or broken from an accident. Whatever the case may be, veneers can provide the perfect solution for a more attractive smile.

A veneer, in essence, functions like a mask for your tooth; it is a custom-made porcelain shell with the appearance of a natural tooth and is used to cover the visible surface of a tooth. Veneers are extremely durable and easy to maintain making them an effective way to revamp and restore a smile.

At Foutz Family Dentistry, having a tooth veneered is a routine procedure that is performed in as little as two office visits providing an easy, safe and comfortable way of transforming a smile.

Veneers Are Not A One-Fits-All Solution

Although it is true that veneers can enhance a smile and provide an improved appearance for teeth, it is not a solution for all dental problems. People often seek out veneers for dental issues that are not best resolved with veneers.

For example, if you simply want whiter teeth without making any changes to the shape of your teeth, you should be opting for teeth whitening instead of veneers. Those with badly misshapen teeth also are not good candidates for veneers as a significant amount of tooth structure is necessary for a veneer to adhere to.  Crooked teeth that are severely misaligned are better treated with orthodontic options such as braces. Also important to consider is that veneers are a cosmetic solution that cannot treat severely decaying teeth or gum disease.

Veneers are most effective for corrective minor flaws not for major dental issues. Dr. Barton H. Foutz will be able to determine if veneers can provide an effective solution to improve your smile.

What You Need to Know

In order to ensure a successful outcome of a veneer procedure, there is some essential information you should be sure to understand.

1. Maintenance –Taking care of veneers is easily done by maintaining a thorough dental regimen just as you would with natural teeth. With regular brushing and flossing and routine dental visits you are able to extend the appearance and health of both your natural teeth and veneers.
2. Purpose – Veneers are primarily designed for aesthetic benefit such as improving the appearance of chipped, broken, misaligned, discolored or gapped teeth. Veneers are not an ideal option for improving functionality or for molars. In order to better resolve any issues with a molar, a crown would be a better option, as veneers are not specifically designed to withstand higher-pressure tasks such as grinding food.
3. Longevity – Although porcelain veneers are quite durable, they may still need to be replaced within 5 to 10 years. The need for a veneer replacement will depend greatly on how well you maintain and care for them on a daily basis.

Henderson Porcelain Veneers

In order to determine if you are a good candidate for porcelain veneers, Dr. Foutz will perform a thorough examination. From there, Dr. Foutz will make an impression of your tooth, which is used to craft a mold that will match the color and shape of your tooth. The enamel of your tooth is modified by approximately half a millimeter in order to provide room for the veneer and a better bonding surface. The veneer is then bonded to your natural tooth through the use of a special curing light.

Foutz Family Dentistry offers superior Henderson veneers that provide a natural looking and permanent solution that will transform your smile quickly and comfortably. For more information about porcelain veneers, call us today at (702) 792-5929.

Dr. Barton H. Foutz, DDS
2510 Wigwam Parkway Suite 100 Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 792-5929