Dental Bonding-How does it work?

Dental bonding is a composite resin material that is formed into a thin covering and used to conceal the tooth and improve its appearance. It can be used to fix chips or cracks, change the shape or color of a tooth or even make crooked teeth look straighter. Unlike Porcelain Veneers which require that impressions be made and the covering be fabricated in a lab, tooth bonding can be performed by a qualified cosmetic dentist in just one visit.

The Procedure: The first step in bonding is to make sure that you properly match the material with the color of the existing tooth. Then, a drill is used to roughen the enamel surface of the tooth, so that there is a smooth transition from the existing tooth to the bonding material. Often times you don't even need anesthesia. A conditioning gel is placed on the tooth to "open" the enamel, ensuring a better bond to the tooth. Then a resin adhesive is placed on the tooth, like a very thin film of glue, to help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. The bonding material is then applied to the tooth and shaped and sculpted to the desired form. A high intensity curing light or laser is used to harden the material, and then it is polished to a high finish.

Results
: Very large bonding restorations can break and stain if the individual is not careful with them, but in most cases, tooth bonding will last from 3 to 7 years. If you are interested in a prettier smile, ask your dentist about cosmetic tooth bonding.
Click here for more information about
cosmetic bonding.
|