4 Reasons Cosmetic Dentists Love Dental Bonding
Whether you have teeth that are discolored, strangely shaped, or chipped, dental bonding can help your cosmetic dentist to restore form and function to your smile. Cosmetic dental bonding involves shaping composite resins around the teeth to change their shape, color, or texture. Here are four reasons that cosmetic dentists love dental bonding and how it can be used to make your smile look incredible.
1. Composite Resins Blend In Perfectly
Composed of finely ground ceramic materials suspended in a durable plasticized resin, dental bonding is made to match your existing teeth perfectly. Dental bonding is available in a vast array of different tooth-colored shades, making it easy for your dentist to choose the hue that closely resembles your natural teeth. Believe it or not, composite resin even mimics the natural opacity of your existing teeth, making the repairs virtually invisible to the naked eye.
Because dental bonding is so realistic, it can be used in highly visible areas of the teeth, unlike older alternatives like dental amalgams. Dental bonding can be used to repair gaps, surface cracks, and root exposure or even to make the teeth longer or more symmetrical.
2. Dental Bonding Preserves More Natural Material
Unlike other tooth restorations, dental bonding material is designed to fuse with your existing dental enamel and underlying dentin—preserving more of your natural tooth. After the teeth are cleaned and polished, a mildly acidic surface treatment is applied to the teeth to roughen the surface on a microscopic level. This roughened surface helps to improve adhesion so that bonded repairs last longer.
Composite resins also don't require undercuts when placing dental fillings, and this helps the tooth to stay more structurally stable. In fact, composite resins are so strong that they have been found to restore as much as 85%–95% of the natural strength to the tooth. This means that if you have your teeth repaired, you won't have to think twice about enjoying your favorite foods.
3. Bonding Won't Stain Teeth
Another reason that cosmetic dentists love composite resins is that they won't stain underlying enamel like other restorations can. For example, brackets that hold bridges in place or crowns made from porcelain that is fused to metal can cause hard metals to leach into the surrounding teeth, leaving behind metal or "amalgam tattoos." Composite resins, on the other hand, are independently supported and don't contain heavy metals, leaving your surrounding teeth white and beautiful.
4. New Composite Resins Last Longer
Unlike the dental-bonding materials of the past, new varieties of composite resins are made to endure a mild amount of flexion, just like the rest of your teeth. This means that composite resin repairs can be used in areas where bite force is stronger, such as the back teeth or molars.
With proper care and maintenance, dental bonding can last 10 years or more. However, if the bonding comes loose or becomes chipped, it is incredibly simple to repair or replace. In fact, since dental bonding involves adding to the teeth instead of taking away materials, most patients don't require anesthetic shots of any kind. After the composite resin is put in place and shaped around the tooth, your dentist will use a small UV light to instantly cure the repair. As soon as the repair is polished, you can be on your way.
If you think that dental bonding sounds like something that could improve your smile, contact your cosmetic dentist today. The process of having your teeth bonded is fast, painless, and incredibly effective, and that means that you will be able to enjoy a brighter, more beautiful smile in no time.
