Bonding vs veneers vs whitening — the honest version
Composite bonding
What it is: tooth-coloured resin sculpted onto your natural teeth. Usually one appointment, no injections for most cases, and reversible.
Best for: chips, small gaps, worn edges, minor reshaping.
Wrong for: heavy staining that shows through the resin, large shape changes, and heavy grinders — resin chips under grinding.
Porcelain veneers
What it is: thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of prepared teeth. Stronger and more stain-resistant than composite, and able to change shade and shape together. Results vary.
Best for: significant shade + shape changes together, deep discolouration, longer-lasting results.
Wrong for: anyone not ready for an irreversible treatment — enamel is removed to fit them. A good dentist will say this out loud before you commit.
Professional whitening
What it is: dentist-supervised whitening that lifts staining safely. In the UK, professional whitening (up to 6% hydrogen peroxide, for adults aged 18 and over) may only be provided by a dental professional — tooth whitening by a non-dental provider is illegal in the UK.
Best for: healthy teeth that are simply darker than you'd like.
Wrong for: crowns, veneers and fillings (they don't whiten), and internal discolouration.
The one takeaway: the order matters. Whitening comes before bonding or veneers, never after — new work is colour-matched to your whitened shade.
Next: what it all actually costs
Lesson 3 covers real prices, how paying in instalments works, and how to compare quotes without being caught out.
Lesson 3 →Already know you'd like a professional opinion? The £40 Smile Consultation gives you a full assessment and a written plan — . Otherwise, carry on to Lesson 3.