Cosmetic dentistry
Composite bonding or porcelain veneers: which is right for you?
Composite bonding and porcelain veneers can both change the shape, size and colour of your teeth and close small gaps. Bonding is usually quicker, costs less to begin with and keeps more of your natural tooth. Porcelain veneers tend to last longer and resist staining, although both treatments may need repair or replacement over time. The right choice depends on your teeth, your bite and what you would like to change. For minor chips and gaps, bonding may be enough.
At a glance: how they compare
| Feature | Composite bonding | Porcelain veneers |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Tooth-coloured resin shaped onto the tooth at your appointment | Thin ceramic shells made in a dental laboratory, then fixed on |
| Your natural teeth | Usually little or no tooth surface removed | Often a thin layer removed from the front, which cannot be undone |
| Appointments | Usually one | Several over a few weeks, including a trial smile |
| Lifespan with good care | Often 3 to 7 years | Up to 15 years, sometimes less |
| Staining | Can discolour over time | Resists staining |
| If it chips | Can often be repaired | May need replacing |
| Starting price | £300 per tooth | £695 per tooth |
| Often suitable for | Small chips, gaps and uneven edges | Larger changes to shape or colour |
Prices shown are starting points. We will confirm the total cost once we have assessed your teeth and agreed how many need treatment.
Composite bonding
Composite bonding uses a tooth-coloured resin. We apply it to your tooth, mould it by hand and harden it with a special light. It can repair chips, close small gaps, smooth uneven edges and change the shape of a tooth. Usually little or no tooth surface is removed, and you rarely need an anaesthetic.
Over time, bonding can stain, chip or wear, so it needs more upkeep than porcelain, but it can often be repaired or added to later. With good care, bonding often lasts 3 to 7 years. Composite bonding starts from £300 per tooth.
Composite veneers
A composite veneer is bonding that covers the whole front of a tooth. Prices start from £400 per tooth.
Porcelain veneers
A porcelain veneer is a thin ceramic shell, made in a dental laboratory and fixed to the front of a tooth. Veneers are often chosen to improve several teeth at once, or to replace older cosmetic work. They start from £695 per tooth and, with good care, can last up to 15 years. Like any dental work, veneers can occasionally chip or need replacing.
How veneer treatment works
After your consultation, we plan your treatment. A trial smile then lets you see the new shape in a temporary material before you go ahead. Once you are happy, we remove a thin layer from the teeth where needed and fit temporary veneers. The laboratory makes your final veneers, and we fix them in place at a later appointment.
Moving from bonding to veneers
Some patients start with bonding, which keeps more of the natural tooth, and choose veneers later. If bonding stains, it can sometimes be polished or redone. When Lottie's bonding discoloured, she decided to replace it with ceramic veneers. Here she talks about her own treatment. Results vary between patients.
Lottie Dennis, replacing discoloured bonding with ceramic veneers
How we help you decide
At your consultation, we consider:
- Your goals. Colour, shape, gaps or chips, and how many teeth are involved. You can also choose to leave your teeth as they are.
- The health of your teeth and gums. We treat any decay or gum problems first. Existing fillings or crowns may change which treatment suits you.
- Your bite and habits. Grinding and how your teeth meet affect how long either option lasts. If you grind, we may recommend a night guard.
- Upkeep and budget. We explain the likely cost of maintenance over the years, not just the first treatment.
Still deciding? Start with a free consultation
Book a free cosmetic consultation at Didcot Dental Studio. We will look at your teeth, gums and bite, and hear what you have in mind. Then we will explain whether bonding, veneers or another treatment is suitable, with the costs clearly set out before you decide.
BOOK A FREE COSMETIC CONSULTATIONor call 01235 380888
Read more about composite bonding, porcelain veneers and teeth whitening.
