How paintless dent repair differs from conventional body repair
Paintless dent repair, or PDR, reshapes a dent while keeping the existing paint finish. Conventional body repair may reshape the panel and refinish the affected area when the damage calls for it. If the paint itself needs repair, PDR alone will not fix that finish.
Paint, dent shape and panel access change the choice
If the paint is chipped or cracked, moving the dent will not repair the finish. A deeper dent or one in a hard-to-reach spot may be less suited to PDR. Panel design matters too because access differs by vehicle. A photo can show the damage, but it may not settle which repair will work.
Compare repair options for the dent you have
Even similar dents can call for different work. With intact paint and workable access, one may be a PDR candidate; damage to the finish or a difficult shape may call for body and paint repair. Ask which approach suits the actual panel and what would happen to its finish.