If you have been considering a cosmetic dentistry procedure that can improve the overall look of your smile without breaking the bank or requiring an extensive or painful procedure, cosmetic bonding may be just what you are looking for. Cosmetic bonding, also referred to as dental bonding, is one of the easiest and least expensive ways that you can improve the look of your teeth.
Why is dental bonding such an easy and relatively inexpensive procedure? The answer is in the ease with which a tooth can be bonded. During the procedure, a tooth-colored dental resin material is applied to the tooth or teeth in question, where it is molded and shaped as needed. An ultraviolet light or laser is then used to harden the material. The procedure requires minimal preparation of the existing tooth surface and is a relatively non-invasive and painless procedure. The entire procedure takes place in the office, during one short visit, and the fact that the dentist can perform the procedure without the need for a lab to customize the tooth covering keeps costs down.
Cosmetic bonding is a great way to improve the look of chipped or cracked teeth, or even teeth that are discolored beyond a point where simple laser teeth whitening can help. The bonding procedure can also be used to reshape existing teeth, make them look bigger or even out the length of teeth, or the bonding material can be used to close up unsightly spaces between teeth. In addition to enhancing the look or shape of teeth, or repairing chips or cracks, dental bonding can protect the portion of a tooth’s root that may become exposed if gums start to recede.
Another benefit to dental bonding is that it can fill cavities, and the tooth-colored resin is a viable alternative to silver amalgam fillings. The composite resin fillings match seamlessly with the existing teeth, making them a more preferable cosmetic alternative to silver fillings, and the composite resin material is also harder and more durable than the amalgam material. In fact, most dentists today are steering patients away from amalgam fillings and are using composite resin fillings instead.
Although dental bonding can be a viable alternative for minor cosmetic issues, it is not typically recommended for patients that require more extensive cosmetic work on their teeth. This is because the bonding material is generally not as strong as porcelain veneers or crowns, so it may not last as long or may eventually chip. Additionally, the resin material used in the bonding procedure, although stain resistant, will not resist stains as well over time as some of the other alternatives that are created in a laboratory. So, although cosmetic bonding is relatively strong and stain resistant, it is best used for smaller repairs or as a more temporary solution.
One good thing to keep in mind, however, if you are squeamish about having work done on your teeth, is that the dental bonding procedure is relatively easy to withstand. Since it requires that less tooth enamel be removed than other procedures, like porcelain veneers or dental crowns, patients do not typically require any type of anesthesia or sedation. In fact, only minor etching of the tooth surface is required to correctly adhere the bonding material to the surface of the tooth. This can be a huge benefit to those that are interested in better looking teeth but aren’t willing to undergo the discomfort of other tooth restoration procedures.
For more information about cosmetic bonding in Queens for cosmetic or restorative reasons, contact Park Dental Care at 718-274-1515.
