Veneers and Bonding in Aurora

What it is

Porcelain veneers are thin shells made in a dental lab and bonded to the front of your teeth. To make room for them, a thin layer of enamel is removed, so they cannot be undone. In return, porcelain holds its colour well, resists staining and can change the shape, length and shade of several teeth at once.

Composite bonding uses a tooth-coloured resin that your dentist shapes directly on the tooth, then hardens with a light and polishes. It is often done in one visit with little or no enamel removed. It works well for small chips, worn edges and narrow gaps. Contouring is even simpler: tiny amounts of enamel are smoothed to even out a pointed edge or a slightly long tooth. Often these are combined, such as contouring one tooth and bonding the one beside it.

Dr. Bita Tahghighi has advanced training in cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry, including a Fellowship in Aesthetic Dentistry at UCLA. Whichever dentist you see, the choice starts with healthy teeth and gums. Veneers and bonding may not suit people with active decay, gum disease, heavy grinding or very little enamel, and sometimes a crown or straightening is the wiser path.

Is it right for me?

• A front tooth is chipped, worn short or uneven.
• You have small gaps between your front teeth.
• A tooth is stained in a way whitening cannot fix.
• Your teeth have slightly uneven edges or lengths.
• You do not grind heavily, or you will wear a night guard.
• You understand that porcelain veneers cannot be reversed.

Step by step

1. Consultation and examWe check your teeth, gums and bite and talk about the change you want. If whitening is part of the plan, it is done before shades are chosen.
2. Shade and shape planYour dentist explains how much tooth each option changes and matches the shade to your neighbouring teeth.
3. Bonding or contouringFor bonding, the tooth is lightly roughened, the resin is layered and shaped, then hardened and polished, often in one visit.
4. Preparing for veneersThe teeth are numbed, a thin layer of enamel is removed and records are sent to the lab. Temporary covers protect the teeth meanwhile.
5. Fitting veneersWe check the fit and colour with you before bonding each veneer in place and removing any extra cement.
6. Bite checkWe check how your teeth meet and smooth any high spots, then review the work at your next visit.

How it compares

General information. Your dentist will explain what applies to you.

Benefits and risks

Cost and coverage

The fee for veneers and bonding depends mainly on the material and the number of teeth. Bonding is done directly in the chair, while porcelain veneers include dental lab work, so the two are priced differently. We use the Ontario Dental Association fee guide as our reference. When the work is purely cosmetic, private plans and the Canadian Dental Care Plan often do not pay for it; when bonding repairs a broken tooth, part of it may be covered. We can send a predetermination, bill your insurer directly and explain your payment options. Ask about our in-house dental plan and student program. You receive a written estimate per tooth before any enamel is touched.

What shapes your estimate

• How many teeth are treated
• Porcelain veneers, composite bonding or contouring
• Dental lab fees for porcelain work
• Whether whitening is done first
• Any fillings or gum care needed beforehand
• Whether a night guard is recommended

Read more about insurance and payment, the Canadian Dental Care Plan and IFHP coverage.

After your visit

• Do not bite nails, pens, ice or hard candy with your front teeth.
• Wear a night guard if you grind or clench.
• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily.
• Limit coffee, tea and red wine to keep bonding from darkening.
• Have bonding polished at your regular cleanings.

Questions