Would bonding or veneers work better with gaps? Also have a tooth longer than the other?

Answer 1

In my professional opinion veneers are a waste of time and money. They pop off, break, fracture and chip too easily. The natural tooth just has too much flexibility for veneers to withstand.

If the gap isn't very large a composite bonding can be added to both teeth increasing the width but maintaining the natural appearance without having to remove hardly any of your natural tooth structure. But keep in mind that bonding tends to darken over the years and picks up stain faster than your natural enamel.

If the space is too large and braces aren't an option for you then full crowns may be your best choice. Crowns cost about the same as veneers and bonding is much, much less than either.

As for the length of one being longer, that isn't a problem. This tooth can be filed down and contoured in shape, only removing some of your enamel and then polished so you would never know it's been done.

You should discuss this with your dentist; he will tell you the advantages and disadvantages of all three options. You can have the tooth contoured and polished and have a consult then. You may decide you don't need the veneers or bonding after the teeth are the same length. Hope I've been of some help and good luck in which ever choice you make.

Answer 2

I'm a dentist.

The first rule of dentistry is that absolutely nothing we do is as good as what is naturally there. Everything we do that involves the pacement of materials on your teeth eventually fails in some way--it breaks, it discolors too quickly, it negatively affects the surrounding tissues, or it gets recurrent decay underneath it (or some combination of these). Cosmetic therapy is no exception.

With this in mind, any therapy that corrects your cosmetic problem without the use of materials that must remain on your teeth is inherently a superior solution. That means orthodontic therapy (i.e. braces). If your problem can be solved by orthodontic therapy alone, then do it. In the long run, this is the cheaper method. Why? Because crowns and veneers always need to be replaced (or they ultimately result in the need for more expensive work to fix the tooth). Braces never have to be re-done (as long as you wear your retainer).

Now, what HeatherS said about veneers is only true when a doctor who is not adequately skilled with veneers is placing them. There is a technique to preparing teeth for veneers for maximum retention. Obviously, HeatherS is not familiar with it. But she is correct in her statement that crowns do stay on teeth better. The problem with crowns, however, is that they are much more prone to recurrent decay--not to mention the fact that they involve much more aggressive removal of tooth structure (which in itself carries with it certain ramifications).

As for bonding? Few doctors are able to perfom such chairside composite veneers properly. Most of what I see are patients with such composite veneers that have rough margins. Moreover, they break easily and discolor much more quickly than natural tooth. Their only advantage is that they are cheap. Comsmetically, even if done correctly, they are too short-lived to be a worthwhile treatment for significant cosmetic defects.

In summary: braces are best, veneers are next, followed by bonding. Crowns are only appropiate when certain conditions necessitate full-coverage of the tooth.

Answer 3

I WAS FACED WITH THE EXACT SAME QUESTION WHILE I WAS A DENTAL STUDENT. I CHOSE BRACES AS A DENTAL STUDENT. THE RESULTS ARE WELL WORTH THE TIME, MONEY AND COMITTMENT.
I NEVER WORRY ABOUT PORCELAIN FROM CROWN/VENEERS BREAKING OR COMING LOOSE. EVEN IF YOUR GAPS ARE LARGE, BRACES ARE THE BEST CHOICE.
I COULD HAVE CHOSED BONDING, BUT THERE ARE GOOD REASONS WHY I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THESE WOULD HAVE BEEN A POOR CHOICE.

Answer 4

are you talking about a gap like in between your front teeth? because thats what i had when i was younger and i had to wear a retainer for a few months before my teeth were permanelty bonded. i cant really help you with the other problem, iam sure it could be shaved or the other could be lengthed.

Answer 5

get veneers... or braces