What is bonding and how is it different from veneers?

Bonding is placing a tooth-colored material onto the tooth to strengthen or alter the tooth’s shape. Because no natural tooth structure is removed, it is best used on broken or chipped teeth. Although bonding is an inexpensive and ultra-conservative way to restore a tooth, it will discolor over time and is more prone to breakage. A veneer is a porcelain shell used to achieve a similar result. Veneers will not discolor and the strength far surpasses that of bonding. While it is a larger investment and requires special preparation of the tooth, the results are beautiful and long lasting.