Dental Veneers v. Align, Bleach and Bond: which is best?
A winning smile. What does that phrase mean to you? Teeth that are pearly white and straight to perfection? But how do you achieve this fabled smile? For many people, the only way to achieve a perfect smile has been to go down the veneer route.
Veneers are both an aesthetic procedure and a serious irreversible dental procedure. They require a slither of enamel to be shaved from the tooth to make room for the veneer to fit over it. Getting veneers is not pain-free and you will require local anaesthesia during the procedure. Your gums need time to adapt to the new teeth, and you may need further dentist attention to adjust your veneers for comfort – they are not for the faint hearted. Nevertheless, the results are fabulous and typically life changing – you cannot underestimate the boost in self-esteem from a corrected smile.
However, cosmetic dentistry services have evolved. A new concept has been developed that challenges the prime position of veneers as the best cosmetic dentistry option.
The new concept is Align, Bleach, and Bond – ABB.
What is Align, Bleach and Bond
Align, Bleach, and Bond is a minimally invasive three-step treatment sequence for achieving a smile makeover:
1. Align
This stage of the treatment involves straightening the teeth through the use of aligners as an orthodontic treatment. Alignment can take as little as 12 weeks and offers discreet, quick and comfortable results.
2. Bleach
Once the teeth are aligned, professional teeth whitening lightens them up to 12 shades removing any discoloration.
3. Bond
Composite bonding is used as a filler material to repair, chipped, cracked or broken teeth to create the finishing touches of the smile makeover
What are the advantages of ABB over veneers?
- Teeth do not need to be prepared beforehand: no tooth shaving and no drilling
- Bite and the position of the teeth are adjusted during the process, reducing risk of problems in the future
- No injections
- No damage to otherwise healthy teeth
- No need for repeat treatment (veneers last around ten years)
- More affordable than veneers
- Minimal risk
- More natural looking results
What are the advantages of veneers over ABB?
- Veneers are completed in a shorter timescale often as short as four weeks
- Veneers provide stable tooth colour
- A very noticeable new smile
Is ABB better than veneers?
Align, Bleach and Bond is a fantastic and less intrusive alternative to veneers, but as you can see, each has pros and cons. No matter how many articles you read, before and after treatment images you look at, or friends you poll to gauge their opinion or experiences – you need to get expert advice for your individual needs and oral health.
Duxton Dental run clinics in their Christchurch based practice offering expertise in cosmetic makeovers utilising porcelain veneers and Orthodontics to provide the ABB treatments discussed. They use the latest technology and dental innovations to assess which treatment will be best to transform your smile for the long term. To book your appointment, call our Christchurch dental clinic on 03 348 5488, or click here to send an e-mail.
