Ceramic veneers or bonding?
Differences, options and limitations to discuss at a consultation.
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Ceramic veneers or composite bonding?
There is no option that is better for everyone. The choice depends on how much the tooth has to change, on the forces in the bite, on aesthetic expectations and on the possibility of repairing the work later.
| Criterion | Ceramic veneers | Composite bonding |
|---|---|---|
| How it is made | In a laboratory, from an impression or scan, over several visits. | Directly in the clinic, usually in one session per area. |
| Preparation | Minimal to moderate, depending on the case. | Often minimal or none, material is added. |
| Colour stability | Very stable over time, glazed ceramic does not stain. | Can stain or lose its polish over time. |
| Wear resistance | Good. | Lower, but sufficient in many cases. |
| Repair | More difficult. A crack may mean replacing the veneer. | Easy to repair or redo. |
| Reversibility | Depends on how much structure was removed. | Higher, especially if enamel was not prepared. |
Bonding is also useful as a trial step or a temporary solution. Ceramic veneers suit cases where stability over time and precise control of shape and colour are the priority.
When do I not recommend veneers?
I do not recommend veneers when they would cover a problem that needs treating first, or when a more conservative option gives the same result.
- Gum disease or active decay. We treat these first. Adhesive work on inflamed tissue is not stable.
- Bruxism without a protection plan. Repeated forces can crack ceramic or debond it. Veneers become possible only together with a night guard and a checked bite.
- Not enough enamel. Extensive wear or erosion leaves little enamel to bond to. Other types of restoration are then more suitable.
- Crowded or rotated teeth. Sometimes orthodontics corrects the position with less tooth loss than preparing for veneers.
- Expectations that veneers cannot meet. For example changing a bite or a jaw position.
- Oral hygiene that cannot be maintained. The edge of a veneer is cleaned like a tooth, and check-ups remain essential.
If your teeth are healthy and only slightly misaligned or slightly discoloured, the first option is often orthodontics or whitening. They are more conservative.
Your treatment plan
Sources
- Layton DM, Walton TR. An up to 16-year prospective study of 304 porcelain veneers. Int J Prosthodont, 2007.
- Morimoto S, Albanesi RB, Sesma N, Agra CM, Braga MM. Main clinical outcomes of feldspathic porcelain and glass-ceramic laminate veneers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of survival and complication rates. Int J Prosthodont, 2016.
- Magne P, Belser U. Bonded Porcelain Restorations in the Anterior Dentition: A Biomimetic Approach. Quintessence, 2002.
The information on this page is general and educational. It does not replace a medical consultation, and a treatment recommendation can only be made after examining each patient. Results differ from one case to another.
Start with a consultation and a plan
Every treatment begins with a diagnosis: clinical examination, photographs, radiographs and, where relevant, an occlusal analysis. Only then do we discuss options.