Everyone deserves a stunning, confident smile. Fortunately, thanks to modern dentistry, there are several ways to go about getting one.
Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry solution for enhancing the appearance of a person’s smile. This cosmetic solution involves bonding thin porcelain shells, contoured to match the patient’s smile, to the fronts of their teeth to restore smile aesthetics. Effective as they are, however, veneers are far from your only option for restoring your smile’s visual appeal.
If you're looking for a way to improve your smile without committing to veneers—and the minor enamel removal they require—alternatives like dental bonding, teeth whitening, and orthodontic treatments may be your cup of tea. Each option offers unique benefits depending on the specific issues you want to address.
Dental Bonding: The Affordable Fix
Dental bonding is a cost-effective and minimally invasive alternative to veneers. It uses tooth-colored composite resin to repair or conceal minor issues like chips, cracks, or gaps. During the bonding procedure, your dentist shapes and molds this resin to repair any minor imperfections.
While bonded teeth aren’t as stain-resistant or durable as porcelain veneers, bonding offers the significant advantage of not requiring any enamel removal. Though the teeth may need touch-ups over time, this means the treatment is reversible if necessary.
Teeth Whitening: A Simple Solution for Stains
If tooth discoloration is your main concern, professional teeth whitening might be preferable to veneers. Though whitening results require more frequent refreshing than veneers, professional in-office whitening treatments are more natural, budget-friendly, and yield significant results in a single visit—without altering your tooth structure.
Orthodontic Treatments: Straightening Without Covering
If misalignment or spacing is your main aesthetic worry, orthodontic treatments—whether traditional braces or Invisalign® clear aligners—may be your best route to a seamlessly symmetrical smile and strong, perfectly aligned bite. Orthodontics corrects issues without modifying your natural teeth, and while veneers mask mild misalignment instantly, they offer a natural, long-term, structural correction.
Find the Top Cosmetic Dentist for You in Chesterfield, MO
If you’re looking for a skilled and caring cosmetic dentist in Chesterfield to help you find the treatment plan to elevate your smile to its radiant best—including choosing between veneers and their alternatives—contact Dr. Scott Mahlin and the outstanding Clarkson Dental team to schedule a consultation!