I’m 30 years old and my teeth are really small. I get tired of people saying that I look like I have baby teeth. I just want to look like an adult, so I’m wondering if tooth bonding would be a solution to make my teeth bigger? — Marla
Marla,
If you want a long-lasting a durable solution that will make your teeth bigger, porcelain veneers would be the way to go. Dental bonding would work, but there are several reasons why it’s not the best choice. Compared to natural enamel, bonding is soft, making it susceptible to stains and scratches. It will only look good for a couple years at best before your smile starts to look dull and stained. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, are harder than enamel and do not stain easily. If you take good care of them you can expect to have a bright, beautiful smile for 15 to 20 years, or even longer.
You can definitely expect to pay quite a bit more for veneers – probably two to three times more than bonding. But it will be worth it in the long run if you’re not having to pay to replace or resurface bonding every two to three years.
I would caution you, however, to be very careful about finding a good cosmetic dentist – especially who has the skill and artistry to do porcelain veneers. Don’t be a bargain shopper when it comes to veneers because you will likely find out after all is said and done that you “get what you pay for.” If you simply can’t afford veneers, just leave your teeth alone. If you scrimp and have a less than skilled dentist place your veneers and you end up having problems, you’ll likely wish you hadn’t done anything in the first place.
This blog is brought to you by Dr. Alana Macalik. For more information on the services she provides, visit her Arlington cosmetic dentist website.