What Can Cosmetic Bonding Do For Me?

The very first moment you realize that you have a chipped tooth will undoubtedly make you feel uneasy. It will also surely make you feel like not smiling. Though, esthetics and self-confidence issues aside, leaving a tooth chipped can also cause pain down the line, making it important to have it fixed as soon as possible. For that, there’s tooth bonding, a relatively simple and comfortable cosmetic procedure that’s meant to benefit those with broken and weakened teeth.

By definition, bonding involves the application of a plastic or composite resin to repair any chipped, fractured, decayed and discolored tooth, resulting in teeth appearing longer. It’s also considered as the more esthetically pleasing alternative to amalgam fillings.

When compared to other cosmetic dental procedures, bonding is one of the few that produces not only esthetically pleasing results, but also quick and long-lasting ones.

If you’re interested in cosmetic bonding, here are a few benefits you can expect from it, a few proper care tips and the overall flow of the procedure.

How Cosmetic Bonding Works

First things first, while cosmetic bonding is definitely effective in helping you achieve a better-looking smile, it’s not your only treatment option, nor does it fit in all cases.

Cosmetic bonding works best on your front teeth, or those that only need minor repairs.

For more serious cases, your dentist may suggest a different treatment option, like a veneer or crown. Though, before your dentist can decide and help you choose, you’ll have to have your teeth checked first.

Now, for the actual procedure.

Before your dentist can apply the resin, the affected tooth has to be roughened up first for better adhesion. This is usually done using a dremel-like tool and depending on just how severe the crack or chip is, the dentist may choose to numb the area to make sure you’re comfortable all throughout.

While your teeth are being roughened up, a dental assistant usually mixes the resin to make sure that it matches your teeth’s color. Once finished, the resin is applied and shaped by the dentist.

During this time, a special light is used to harden the resin and you may be asked to bite down a few times to check if there’s any excess resin that has to be smoothened away.

The overall process is repeated until the chip or crack is gone.

Practicing Proper Oral Care

Cosmetic bonding is known to not last as long as veneers, but it is possible to enjoy it for more than a decade before it wears out.

Also, something to take note of is that bonding doesn’t resist stains quite well and generally do not respond to whitening treatments. This makes it very important to follow a healthy daily oral hygiene routine to maintain the bonding’s clean, bright look.

Additionally, you may also want to start avoiding stain-inducing beverages, such as tea, coffee and red wine.

A bit more expensive, but reliable and overall, much more esthetically pleasing, tooth bonding is a great treatment option for small, yet necessary repairs to your teeth.

So, what are you waiting for? Beautify the areas of your smile that make you feel self-conscious and be a much more confident you as soon as you walk out of the dentist’s office.

If you would like more information regarding cosmetic bonding, contact Dr. Ted Haines DDS in Snohomish, WA at 360-568-8577 or visit www.tedhainesdds.com to learn more.

Dr. Ted Haines proudly accepts patients from Monroe, Lake Stevens, Everett, Mill Creek, Woodville, and surrounding areas.