Three ways to close the same gap
Bonding and veneers make the teeth wider to fill the space. Aligners move the teeth together and leave them their own size, which for a single central gap often looks more natural.
| Bonding | Veneers | Aligners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removes enamel | Little to none | Yes, permanently | None |
| Appointments | One | Two | Months of trays |
| Moves the teeth | No | No | Yes |
| Lifespan | 5-8 years | 10-15 years | Permanent, with retainers |
| Reversible | Yes | No | Yes |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Highest | Middle |
The part that is permanent
A porcelain veneer needs a layer of enamel removed so it can sit flush rather than bulking the tooth forward. That enamel does not grow back, and the tooth will need a veneer or a crown for the rest of its life.
That is not an argument against veneers. It is an argument for knowing it before rather than after, and for asking whether the same result is achievable without it.
Ask specifically how much enamel your case needs. Some conservative preparations remove very little; some remove a great deal. The answer varies by tooth and by what is being corrected.
When veneers are genuinely the right answer
When the gap is one of several things being changed at once -- shape, shade and alignment together. Aligners move teeth but do not change their colour or their shape, and bonding on several front teeth is hard to keep looking even.
Also when the teeth are already heavily restored. If a front tooth carries a large old filling, a veneer replaces it and improves the appearance in the same step, and the enamel argument largely falls away.
What to ask before agreeing
- How much enamel comes off, on which teeth
- Can I see a mock-up before anything is prepared
- What happens in fifteen years when this one needs replacing
- Would aligners achieve this without touching the teeth
- What does it cost to redo one if it chips
Common questions
Asked at the front desk.
Can veneers fix a gap between my front teeth?
Yes, by making the teeth slightly wider to fill the space. Bonding does the same for less, and aligners close it by moving the teeth instead, which for a single central gap often looks more natural.
Do veneers ruin your teeth?
They permanently remove a layer of enamel, which does not grow back, so the tooth will need a veneer or crown for life. How much comes off varies -- ask specifically for your case.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
Ten to fifteen years typically, longer with care. Bonding lasts five to eight and is repairable in one visit.
Is bonding or a veneer better for one small gap?
For a single small gap, bonding is usually the sensible first choice: one appointment, little or no enamel removed, and reversible. Veneers make more sense when shape, shade and alignment are all being changed together.
Next step
One phone call, and someone answers it.
3608 Carrington Rd #204, West Kelowna. Thursdays until 7pm, Fridays from 7am. Accepting new patients of every age.