There are many cosmetic dental treatments available. Some are more invasive than others which probably means they are more expensive too. Others are quick, simple, and less costly. Some people will opt for the more costly, invasive treatment, while others prefer the opposite. Cosmetic bonding is one of the easiest and least expensive cosmetic dental procedures. In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI dentist, Dr. James Stewart explains cosmetic bonding.
Cosmetic Bonding
Cosmetic dental bonding is a non-invasive procedure that can be performed in one visit. Composite resin material is used for bonding and can be color matched to the shade of your teeth, shaped, and polished. Etching or abrading is required on the tooth and a light coat of conditioning liquid will be added before applying the resin material. Etching roughens the tooth to give the material something to stick to and the conditioning liquid helps the resin adhere to the tooth. Once applied, the resin is sculpted, and smoothed into shape before it is hardened with an ultraviolet light. Your dentist will perform a final shaping or trimming after the bonding material sets and then polish the area to match the sheen of your teeth. The whole procedure only takes up to an hour to complete.
Why Bond?
No preparation is required for bonding and it can be used on front or back teeth for:
- Chips
- Cracks
- Broken teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Pitted teeth
- Tooth decay
- Closing spaces
- Making rotated teeth appear straight
- Correcting a misaligned bite by building up molars
- To lengthen teeth
Drawbacks
The drawbacks of cosmetic bonding include:
Durability: Composite resin bonding is not equal to the strength and durability of a natural tooth. It can be damaged by habits such as nail biting, ice chewing, or nibbling on pens. Depending on your oral habits, it can last several years before repairs are needed.
Stains: Composite resin can stain just like natural teeth and it is highly recommended to avoid foods and beverages that can stain such as tea, coffee, and smoking cigarettes for 48 hours after the procedure.
About Dr. Stewart
James R. Stewart, Jr, DDS, PC and our compassionate staff proudly serve patients of all ages from Livonia, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and all surrounding communities. To schedule an appointment, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.