If you want to enhance the look of your smile, there are a number of cosmetic dental treatments that you may be eligible for. One of the fastest and most affordable options is cosmetic bonding, also known as dental bonding or composite resin bonding. Read on below to learn more about what is involved in this treatment and how it may be able to benefit you.
What Is Cosmetic Dental Bonding?
During the dental bonding procedure, your dentist dries your tooth, slightly etches it, and then molds a tooth-colored resin over it. The resin is shade-matched to blend in with the natural color of your teeth. Once it is in place, a special curing light hardens it within a matter of seconds. To finish the procedure, a few final adjustments may be made to the shape of the resin. The entire procedure is painless, and it is usually quite fast. It is also affordable, often costing just a few hundred dollars per tooth.
The one caveat of bonding is that it tends to last for just 3 – 5 years. If you want a more durable solution, ask your dentist for recommendations during your cosmetic consultation.
What Can Cosmetic Bonding Fix?
Here are some examples of issues that cosmetic bonding can be used to address:
Chips and Cracks
A chip out of a tooth can be bothersome, affecting your smile’s appearance and exposing your soft oral tissues to the tooth’s jagged edge. Bonding can cover that chip, reshaping the tooth and disguising its sharp edges. It can also be used to fill in minor cracks that could otherwise lead to serious dental problems down the road.
Minor Spacing Issues
If you have a small gap between your front teeth, you might not need orthodontia to correct it. Instead, bonding can be used to close the gap and give your smile a more uniform appearance.
Discoloration
Many dental stains can be addressed with normal teeth whitening products, particularly if those products are professional-grade. However, some forms of discoloration are more stubborn than others. You may need dental bonding to hide it so your smile has a natural, beautiful glow.
Exposed Tooth Roots
If your gums recede, your tooth roots may become exposed. This can create unsightly black triangles at the base of your teeth. Plus, your roots are likely to be very sensitive to hot and cold stimuli. In many cases, composite resin can be used to protect those roots and improve your smile’s appearance.
Cavities
Did you know that cosmetic bonding and tooth-colored fillings use the same type of composite resin? Instead of getting an ugly metal filling to stop cavities, you can get one that blends in seamlessly with the natural color of your smile.
Learn More about Dental Bonding
Cosmetic dental bonding is a remarkable treatment. Ask your dentist if it is right for you. You may soon be on your way to an enhanced smile!
Meet the Practice
Drs. Benjamin Hornstein and Shawn Schlessel are the talented, highly trained dentists at The Center for Advanced Dentistry in Beachwood, OH. Dental bonding is one of the many services they offer. To learn more about it and how our team may be able to serve you, contact us at 216-595-1710.