Bonding: fast, conservative, repairable

We roughen the chipped edge, layer tooth-colored composite, shape it, and cure it with a light. Usually no numbing, usually under an hour. Almost no natural tooth is removed, which is why I reach for bonding first on small chips.

The trade-off is material. Composite is softer than porcelain. It can pick up stain from coffee and wine over the years and may need polishing or touching up every five to seven years. When it does chip, it is repaired in the chair, not replaced.

Veneers: strong, stain-resistant, permanent

A veneer covers the whole front surface of the tooth. Porcelain does not stain, holds its polish, and handles biting forces better than composite. For a large chip, a tooth that is also discolored, or several front teeth that need to match, veneers give a more predictable, longer-lasting result.

The trade-off is enamel. To make room for the shell, a thin layer of the front of the tooth is removed. That is permanent, and it is why I do not recommend veneers for a single small chip on an otherwise healthy tooth.

How I choose

Small chip, healthy tooth, good color match: bonding. Large chip, dark or worn tooth, or multiple teeth that need to match: veneers. Chip on a tooth that takes heavy biting force: usually a veneer or, if the damage is deep, a crown.

Cost matters too. Bonding is a fraction of the price of a veneer. If bonding will look good and last, it is the honest recommendation even though it earns the office less.

What both need to last

A night guard if you grind. No opening packages with your teeth. Regular cleanings so the margins stay sealed. Do those three things and bonding lasts many years and veneers can last decades.