In short
What is the difference between veneers, bonding and crowns?
Bonding is tooth-colored resin shaped onto the tooth in one visit, with little or no enamel removed. A porcelain veneer is a custom shell bonded to the front after a thin layer of enamel is removed. A crown caps the whole tooth and suits broken, worn or heavily filled teeth. Bonding is redone soonest; veneers and crowns last longer.
From the office of Dr. Angela Berkovich, DMD, Deerfield Beach · (954) 427-3000
Last updated
How much of the tooth each one changes
The same front tooth from the side. Bonding adds resin, here to a chipped edge, and removes little or no enamel. A veneer replaces a thin layer of the front surface. A crown needs the tooth reshaped on all sides so the cap fits over it. The dashed line is the tooth's original shape.1,2,4
- Bonding lasts
- Typically three to 10 years before touch-up or replacement1
- Veneers last
- 10 to 15 years with proper care3
- Crowns last
- 5 to 15 years on average4
- Least tooth changed
- Bonding: minimal enamel removal, and reversible1
Which problem points to which option
A rough guide. Your exam decides, because the right choice depends on how much healthy tooth is left.
- A small chip, a gap or an uneven edge on an otherwise healthy tooth: often bonding.
- Stains that whitening won't lift, or several front teeth you want to reshape together: often veneers.
- A tooth that is cracked, broken, badly worn or mostly filling: usually a crown.
- Color only: whitening first, because whitening does not change bonding, veneers or crowns.
Bonding, veneers and crowns side by side
How they compare on the points patients ask about.
| Aspect | Bonding | Porcelain veneer | Crown |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Tooth-colored resin shaped onto the tooth1,2,4 | A custom porcelain shell on the front of the tooth | A tooth-shaped cap over the whole tooth |
| Tooth removed | Minimal; it can be reversed1,2,5,6 | Usually less than a millimeter of front enamel; about 3% to 30% of the crown in a lab study | Reshaped on all sides; about 63% to 72% of the crown in the same study |
| Visits | Usually one, about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth1,2,4 | More than one: preparation, then the custom veneers | Usually two, with a temporary crown in between |
| Typical lifespan | Shortest1,3,4 | Longer | Longer |
| Staining | Stains more easily than porcelain1,2 | Porcelain resists staining | Depends on the material |
| Suits | Small chips, gaps, uneven edges1,2,7 | Chips, stains, gaps and shape on several front teeth | Broken, cracked, worn or heavily filled teeth |
When something else is the better choice
- If only the color bothers you and the stains are on the surface, professional whitening may be enough on its own.8,9
- If teeth are crooked or crowded rather than damaged, moving them with aligners or braces keeps the enamel you have.2
- If a tooth is weak, cracked or mostly filling, a veneer has too little to hold on to; a crown protects it from breaking.7
- If you grind your teeth, that is treated and a night guard planned first, because grinding wears and chips any of the three.10,11
Questions patients ask
Which lasts longest?
On average, porcelain veneers and crowns outlast bonding; the ranges are in the facts above. How you care for them matters as much as the material.1,3,4
Can bonding be undone?
Generally yes. Bonding needs little or no enamel removed, so it is considered reversible. Veneers and crowns are not.1,2
Do veneers ruin your teeth?
No, but it is a change that can't be undone. Placing a porcelain veneer removes a thin layer of enamel, so the tooth will always need a veneer or another covering, and the veneer itself may need repair or replacing over time.2
Who you'll see
Dr. Angela Berkovich, DMD
Dentist, trained at Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry
Dr. Berkovich will tell you if a smaller option, such as bonding or whitening, can do what you want before suggesting veneers or crowns.
Medical content reviewed by Dr. Angela Berkovich, DMD on .
Office: 1348 E Hillsboro Blvd Suite A, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. (954) 427-3000
About Dr. BerkovichSources
- Cleveland Clinic: What is Dental Bonding & What To Expect
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy): Veneers
- Cleveland Clinic: Veneers: What Are Dental Veneers?
- Cleveland Clinic: Dental Crowns: Types, Procedure & Care
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry: Porcelain veneers
- PubMed: Edelhoff & Sorensen 2002, tooth structure removed by anterior preparation designs
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy): Crowns
- Cleveland Clinic: Tooth Discoloration: Causes & Treatment
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy): Teeth Whitening
- Cleveland Clinic: Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy): Teeth Grinding and Jaw Pain
General information, not a diagnosis or a promise of results. Individual results vary, and whether a treatment suits you depends on your exam.