Dental bonding can be used to help with many common cosmetic complaints people have about their smiles. This includes common cosmetic complaints such as:
- Chipped teeth
- Poorly shaped teeth
- Small teeth
- Gaps between teeth
In addition, it uses the same material normally used in white fillings, so it is very versatile indeed.
How Dental Bonding Works
Dental bonding material starts out as a soft putty that can be spread and shaped by hand. First, we will plan the procedure in consultation with you, then we will lightly rough your tooth to improve the connection between the bonding material and your tooth or teeth.
Next, your dentist may decide to custom-mix your dental bonding to ensure it matches your teeth. Your dentist will spread the material on your tooth, reshaping it as they go to ensure that it looks natural. Once the material is in the right shape, a curing light is used to harden it. If the material is going to be thick, it may have to be done in several thin layers to ensure it achieves the desired hardness.
Once the final shape is achieved, and the bonding is hardened, it will be polished to attain a tooth-like sheen.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic dentistry in part because it has many significant advantages. First, it is less expensive than other cosmetic options for most of these complaints. It is also a quick procedure, able to be completed in a single, relatively short visit. The procedure produces generally good results that look natural.
But dental bonding does have some limitations. It’s not as long-lasting as competing treatments like porcelain veneers or dental crowns. The dental bonding can become stained. In addition, it can wear or break off from a tooth. It can produce good results, but they aren’t as attractive as some other treatments. Dental bonding starts out nicely polished, but it can lose its polish. And how attractive they are depends strongly on how skilled is the dentist performing the bonding procedure. And it doesn’t add strength to a tooth the way that dental crowns do, so they’re not suitable if your tooth has been weakened by decay or trauma.
The best way to learn whether dental bonding is right for you is to call (585) 244-3337 or email us to talk to a Rochester cosmetic dentist at Contemporary Dentistry.
