Occasionally, however, dental help is necessary to maintain or repair a white smile. One of the simplest, quickest, and most economical dental cosmetic procedures is tooth bonding.
Bonding is just one procedure through which your Smart Smile dentist can help you attain a better smile, but it’s not your only option.
In order to help you understand how dental bonding might help you, Smart Smile has compiled information about what you can expect before, during, and after your tooth bonding appointment.
Repairing minor tooth damage – We typically recommend dental bonding to repair minor tooth damage such as small cavities, cracks or chips. Dental bonding is a highly effective and economical treatment for these kind of minor cosmetic issues.
Treating tooth discoloration – Sometimes teeth whitening alone does not create suitable results. In such a case dental bonding can be used to treat tooth discoloration, concealing stains and giving you a clean, white, beautiful smile.
The procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete, making it one of the quickest ways to improve your smile.
Tooth bonding applies a resin that is then molded and hardened to fill in cracks or chips present in your teeth. The tooth must first be roughened so the resin material can properly adhere. This is typically done with an abrading tool and/or a slightly acidic etching solution.
Tooth bonding is often done without anaesthesia, but in some cases, your dentist may choose to numb the area to ensure your comfort.
A dental assistant often uses this time to mix the resin to match your natural teeth color. After the tooth surface has been roughened, this resin is applied and carefully shaped. A special light is then used to harden the resin, and you’ll probably hear your dentist ask you to bite down several times to indicate if you feel excess resin that still needs smoothing away.
Your dentist then shapes, sculpts, and shines your new composite until your tooth bonding is perfect.
There are two major issues to consider with bonded teeth, chipping/breaking and staining.
It is important to avoid bad habits that might lead to chipping. Do not bite your fingernails, chew on hard objects including pens, ice, or hard foods such as candy. Also, be aware of foods that might pull at a tooth bonding, such as French Bread or corn.
If you notice changes to a bonded tooth or if your bite begins to feel unusual, call Smart Smile immediately.
Bonded teeth do not require special dental care at home. Just diligently follow good oral hygiene practices. This means to brush your teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes, floss at least once a day, and see your Smart Smile dentist as recommended for routine cleaning and maintenance.
The lifespan of your tooth bonding is partially under your control. Its 3 to 10 year lifespan is an important consideration when making the choice to undergo the procedure, but if you do your part to take proper care of your bonded teeth, you’ll get plenty of mileage out of your new smile.
Treat your teeth and dental work well, and they will work for you for years!
To enhance the overall look of your teeth as well as your overall dental health, visit your Deer Park dentist at Smart Smile Dental. We offer a comprehensive range of preventative, general and cosmetic dental procedures to improve the quality of your smile. At Smart Smile Dental experience the benefits of a healthy and good-looking for your lifetime!
At Smart Smile Dental, our goal is to make top-notch dental care easy and affordable. We encourage you to take advantage of our latest offers. For more information, visit our special offers page today!
Contact us on (03) 8390 5778 or simply book your appointment online.