Some cosmetic dental treatments such as veneers or crowns may require invasive work on the teeth, usually with the addition of a local anaesthetic to make the procedure more comfortable. Not all treatments do require this of course and teeth whitening is one that falls into this category. While this is an excellent procedure for delivering a more attractive smile, it can only be effective on teeth that are already in good condition and any that have cracks or chips wouldn’t really benefit. This is where cosmetic bonding comes into its own.
Composite bonding treatments first started around the 1960s and while early versions were successful in terms of appearance, they weren’t very strong and were fairly easily damaged. As the years have gone by, this has greatly improved and modern composite bonding materials such as those provided at our local dental clinic are significantly stronger than earlier types.
Let us take a look then at how composite bonding can benefit our patients here at Blake Dental Witham.
If a tooth becomes chipped, you should always see a dentist even if it appears to be quite minor. Any damage such as this could expose the inner part of the tooth. If this happens, bacteria can enter and decay or root canal infections might follow. If the chip is purely cosmetic, there are two options available to correct this. Firstly, you could have a dental veneer fitted. This does require an invasive procedure though and is also more expensive than the second option which is composite bonding.
Unlike veneers, the composite bonding is a form of resin and can simply be applied to the tooth and shaped to make the tooth appear entirely natural while also helping to protect it. This is then usually hardened by the application of a special UV light.
While a tooth whitening procedure is the primary way for a tooth to be whitened, this may not work as well where the teeth are badly stained or discoloured. Porcelain veneers can often be used to correct this, but again, it usually requires some invasive permanent work to be carried out. Instead of this, a fine layer of bonding can be applied to the tooth surface in a similar manner to a veneer. It should be noted though, that veneers are a longer lasting solution and we will discuss this a little later on.
Where a gap exists between the teeth, this often requires the use of orthodontics to close them. Sometimes though, composite bonding can be applied to a tooth to close the gap aesthetically. This might be used, for example, on a diastema, where there is a gap between the top two front teeth. You will need to have a consultation at our Witham dental practice to determine if bonding is the best solution in your own case.
Sometimes, a tooth stands out for the wrong reason. The rest of the teeth might look regular, but sometimes one tooth might be shorter than the others for example. This can be very noticeable if it is one of the ‘social six’ teeth that people see when we smile. Using composite bonding means that we can help you to achieve symmetry when you smile.
As noted earlier, composite bonding has advanced in quality over the years and is a more affordable option than veneers for example. There are drawbacks though. Despite improvements, it won’t be as strong as the porcelain used in veneers. In some circumstances it might chip if you bite on something too hard. It can also discolour and stain over time. While these are disadvantages, it is worth remembering that new bonding can simply be applied with little fuss.
In order to maintain any treatment that has been carried out, it is best to avoid using that tooth to bite anything hard, avoid any known staining products and generally look after your teeth well.
Composite bonding then is a very flexible option for a number of dental problems, and one that is used quite frequently by patients looking to improve their smile as well as smooth any rough edges caused by chipping of the tooth. It is essential that you take the advice of your dentist though as it might not be the most suitable solution in all situations.
If you have a cosmetic dental issue and would like to find out if a non-invasive cosmetic bonding treatment would be suitable for you, why not book an appointment with one of our friendly dentists at Blake Dental by giving us a call on 01376 501688.
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Katie Annabel Blake trading as Blake Dental is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Financing First Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Katie Annabel Blake is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Financing First Limited may not be so authorised and regulated.
