Composite bonding
Bonding uses tooth-coloured resin to reshape a tooth, close small gaps, cover chips and cracks, or hide discolouration. The surface of the tooth is roughened, the resin is moulded on, hardened with a curing light and polished.
It takes 30 to 60 minutes per tooth, is usually done in one visit, needs little or no enamel removed and can be undone. The trade-off is that it stains more easily than porcelain, can chip, and lasts about 3 to 10 years before it needs touching up.
Veneers
Veneers are thin shells bonded to the front of the teeth. They can cover chips, gaps, stains that whitening won't shift, and teeth that are small or misshapen. Porcelain veneers are made in a lab; composite veneers are built up from resin and suit milder problems.
Porcelain veneers take two visits. At the first, some enamel is removed and impressions are taken. At the second, a few weeks later, the veneers are bonded on. Because enamel is removed, most veneers are permanent. They last 10 to 15 years with care.
How our dentists manage it
How we manage your veneers and bonding
Listen first
Before any cosmetic treatment we ask what you'd like to change, and tell you honestly what each option can and can't do.
Talk through what's realistic
We explain which option fits, from whitening or bonding to veneers, with the number of visits and the cost.
Healthy teeth first
Any decay or gum disease is treated before cosmetic work, so the result lasts.
Check the result together
We check colour, shape and bite with you before you leave, and adjust if something feels off.
Bonding, veneers or whitening?
- A small chip or gap you want fixed in one visit: bonding is often enough
- Several teeth to change in shape and colour, for a longer-lasting result: veneers
- Teeth that are just darker than you'd like: whitening first
Veneers are not suitable with extensive decay or gum disease, so those are treated first.
Looking after bonded teeth and veneers
- Brush twice a day with a soft brush and non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily
- Don't bite nails or pens, or use your teeth to open packets
- Cut down on dark drinks such as tea and coffee
- Keep up regular check-ups and cleans
Risks to know about
- Porcelain veneers need some enamel removed, which does not grow back
- Teeth can be more sensitive to hot and cold after veneers
- A veneer can come loose and need re-bonding
- Bonding can chip, and it stains more easily than porcelain
Veneers are cosmetic, so they aren't usually covered by insurance. We go through the risks and the cost of each option before you decide.
Who treats you
Veneers and Bonding at Dental Plus
The rule for cosmetic work here is simple: the least invasive option that gives you the result you want is usually the right one. If something simpler will do the job, we'll tell you.
Veneers and crowns at Dental Plus come from Dr Hafsa, our consultant prosthodontist. Before any cosmetic treatment we talk through what's realistic, and you see the plan, the number of visits and the cost before you decide.
- Consultant ProsthodontistDr HafsaBDS, FCPSCrowns, bridges, veneers and dentures for teeth that are damaged or missing.
The dentists are very professional and highly qualified and they are using the modern tools and dental treatment techniques.”Read more Dental Plus patient reviews
Common questions about veneers and bonding
How long do veneers last?
Around 10 to 15 years with good care.
Is bonding reversible?
Yes. Bonding needs little or no enamel removed, so it can be undone. Most veneers cannot, because enamel is removed to fit them.
Do veneers damage teeth?
Porcelain veneers need some enamel removed, which does not grow back, and teeth can be more sensitive to hot and cold afterwards. Bonding is the more conservative option.
Can bonding close gaps between teeth?
Small gaps, yes. Bonding can reshape teeth and close small spaces, usually in one visit.
Is bonding cheaper than veneers?
Usually, yes. Bonding is one of the more cost-effective cosmetic treatments, though it does not last as long as veneers.
Do veneers stain?
Porcelain resists stains better than resin. Bonding and composite veneers pick up stains more easily, so it helps to cut down on tea, coffee and smoking.
Related treatments
- Teeth WhiteningLightening the natural colour of your teeth, safely.
- Crowns & BridgesCaps that protect damaged teeth, and bridges that fill gaps.
- Braces & OrthodonticsStraightening crowded, gapped or crooked teeth, for teenagers and adults.
- Scaling & PolishingA professional clean that removes tartar brushing cannot shift.
How this guide was made
Dental Plus, a family dental clinic in Bahria Town, Rawalpindi, publishes this guide. It was drafted with the help of AI writing tools. Every medical statement was then checked against the sources below, last on 6 October 2026. What we say about our own clinic, our dentists and how we treat patients comes from the clinic. Patient quotes are copied word for word from Google reviews.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. For advice about your own teeth, book an examination.