Bonding, whitening, or veneers

Whitening is the option aimed directly at making teeth look whiter and brighter through bleaching.

Bonding is the closer match when tooth-coloured filling material is being used to change the appearance or shape of a tooth.

The comparison is between bleaching, bonded filling material, and a bonded veneer covering, so the material and process differ before any quote is considered. Bleaching may be done in a clinic or at home with custom-fitted trays. Veneers use porcelain or composite and have a separate placement process, while bonding uses a tooth-coloured filling material on the tooth.

A veneer is bonded to the tooth, while whitening is a bleaching process and bonding uses tooth-coloured filling material.

Veneers should be placed by a licensed dentist because unlicensed services may carry infection and nerve-damage risks or cover unhealthy teeth. Porcelain placement includes removing a small amount of enamel, making an impression or digital model, checking fit and shape, then bonding the finished veneer to the tooth.

If the aim is simply a whiter colour, a covering is not the same procedure as bleaching; whitening has in-office and at-home forms.

Start with the change wanted: colour points to whitening, shape or small appearance changes point to bonding, and front-surface coverage points to veneers. Whitening is available as in-office bleaching or home treatment with custom-fitted trays and professional-strength gel. A veneer is a bonded cover, whereas bonding places tooth-coloured filling material directly on the tooth.