With the exception of teeth whitening, most cosmetic dental treatments involve at least some degree of invasive dentistry. Whether it is the creation of small holes in the bone for an implant to be placed or the ‘shaving’ away of a fine surface enamel layer to fit a porcelain veneer, the nature of these treatments might deter some of our more nervous patients from having them, or at least without the sedation service that we offer.
For these people, and those looking to improve their smile in a more gentle manner, we are going to take a look today at cosmetic bonding. This can be a great way of making a number of improvements to your smile, and usually without even a local anaesthetic needle in sight!
Cosmetic bonding, also sometimes known as tooth bonding or dental composite bonding, is a tooth coloured resin that can be applied to the teeth. It is made from acrylics and ground glass-like particles which gives it strength and the flexibility to be adjusted, colour wise, to your needs. Unlike filling materials, where a tooth has to be prepared, usually by drilling beforehand, bonding can be attached directly to the teeth. This usually follows etching which provides a rough surface to give the bonding material a more secure surface to adhere to.
Once applied, the bonding is shaped to give it a natural appearance that will help it fit in with the appearance of your other teeth. Finally, a special light will be applied which hardens it and provides it with the strength needed for everyday use.
Dental bonding can be used for protective or cosmetic purposes; one of the most popular of which is to repair chipped or cracked teeth where the defect is cosmetic only. Larger chips or deeper cracks may require filling. This is a great way to restore a smile that has been spoiled by the visibility of these affected teeth. Similarly, it can be applied to the front surface of a tooth, sometimes known as composite veneers, both for aesthetic reasons and to protect sensitive teeth.
It can also be used for minor orthodontic purposes such as to close small gaps between the teeth, especially in the gap often known as a diastema, where a gap is visible between the top two front teeth. Naturally, this may not be suitable for all orthodontic purposes and you may need orthodontic treatment using clear aligners such as Invisalign in some cases.
Bonding also be used to lengthen teeth, reshape teeth and even used to improve the colour by applying a surface over a stained tooth.
As mentioned earlier, cosmetic bonding is usually applied without the need for invasive dentistry. This is great news for nervous patients but can be beneficial to all. It is also cheaper than many other more permanent treatments such as crowns or dental veneers.
It is a versatile material and can be shaped to be usable in a wide range of circumstances and is also a speedy treatment that requires no follow up appointments other than your usual check ups at our handy dentist in Witham.
Finally, any treatment applied is usually reversible should you choose to do so. For example, bonding can be applied quickly to help improve your smile before you go on holiday or have an important meeting. Should you then decide that you want to make your new smile more permanent, it could be removed and replaced with crowns or veneers, where appropriate.
As you might expect, this procedure does have some drawbacks which is why some people opt for the more costly treatments due to their longevity. Bonding materials are not as strong or permanent as porcelain, for example, and can become damaged, especially if the patient has habits like nail biting or teeth grinding.
The material is also more porous which means that products like tea, coffee and red wine are more likely to stain it. Good quality brushing will help with this but it will never be as stain resistant as the more permanent options.
Generally speaking, cosmetic bonding can last between three and ten years, with an average of five years, before it needs to be replaced. This is generally a straightforward procedure and replacing the affected bonding will give your smile a new lease of life.
While there are some small disadvantages to this treatment compared to others, it does provide an excellent and quick solution for those one off events where you want to look your best. It can also be a great way to test how much improved your smile could be with cosmetic treatments. While some patients of Blake Dental continue to have their cosmetic bonding renewed, others do move on to veneers and crowns etc.
If you would like to discuss improving your smile with us, we are always happy to offer our professional advice. From this non invasive treatment to more complex ones like dental implants, we can help you have not only a healthy mouth but a great looking smile as well!
To arrange an initial consultation with one of our Witham dentists, please call us today on 01376 510688.
