One of the most affordable ways to improve the appearance of a smile is through dental bonding. A cosmetic dentist can perform this procedure in the office. In most cases, a dramatic alteration can be achieved in just one short visit. There are many reasons one may seek to improve the appearance of a smile ranging from minor damage or discoloration to major resurfacing. Whatever the reason, bonding is the most widely sought after procedure because it is easy, non-invasive, and inexpensive.

Dental bonding is a process in which the practitioner takes a putty-like resin material closely matching the color of the natural tooth and applies it to the patient\’s tooth to either fill a cavity, repair decaying gaps between teeth, or simply to improve the appearance of a smile. In some uses, a whiter color may be selected and the composite is painted on the front surface of the teeth to whiten and strengthen the enamel.

After matching enamel color, a safe acidic liquid is applied to the areas the tooth enamel will be treated, and this creates a textured surface on the enamel. The rough edges prepare teeth to receive the resin and hold it in place. Once each tooth has been covered with the resin and it is firmly attached, the practitioner must sculpt each tooth\’s shape and surface until the desired result is achieved.

When the material appears to be in the correct placement and is molded appropriately, an intense light is used to permanently attach the new material to the tooth\’s surface. The resin will need to be filed with a fine-grade file to perfect the shape and alignment. The polishing process does not take very long, and the end result is a smooth, natural feeling surface.

Most bonding applications last for many years with typical routine check-ups. The average lifespan of a bonding is between seven to eleven years. Sometimes the teeth may need a touch up after several years, but usually this is just from wear after several years of biting and chewing. If a bonded tooth is impacted with force, the corrected area may need to be replaced. Fortunately, repairs are generally quick and affordable.

Much like a natural tooth, the plastic will be susceptible to discoloration through environmental irritants. Several foods and beverages may stain the new surface, so it is best to either avoid frequent exposure to berries or coffee, or to be sure to brush the teeth frequently after exposure. Cigarette smoke can stain the teeth, too.

Once the tooth has been bonded, the patient should avoid bad habits like chewing pencils or fingernails. Repeated rough treatment may cause the bonding to loosen or break.

Because bonding has so many effective uses, it is one of the most common procedures performed by a cosmetic dentist. A single tooth can be repaired as quickly as 30 minutes. More intensive correction may require molds to be cast and a series of office visits before completion, but the end result is still a very natural feel and appearance which the patient will usually not be able to tell the difference from the treated teeth and the natural ones.

Author Bio: A cosmetic dentist London Ontario offering dentistry services for the whole family including dental exams for kids, dentures, porcelain veneers, invisalign and tooth whitening.

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