A flawless smile is the envy of anyone; it conveys confidence and boosts self-esteem. However, you can have a beautiful smile taken away by an accident that wrecks it with a chipped or cracked tooth. Or your teeth may discolor after a while because of a bad habit like smoking. What do you do if you want to restore your smile?
Cosmetic dentistry is a field that provides solutions for situations like this. One common and popular solution is dental or composite bonding. It is a simple process of restoring the aesthetics of your teeth using a tooth-colored composite. The procedure is quick and requires very little on your part.
WHAT IS COMPOSITE BONDING?
As mentioned above, composite, dental, or teeth bonding is a cosmetic procedure that a dentist uses to restore your smile. The dentist uses a resin compound to reshape and recolor your damaged tooth. The procedure is one of the simplest in cosmetic dentistry. You do not require any anesthesia or multiple visits.
WHEN DO YOU NEED COMPOSITE BONDING?
You can use composite bonding to treat any of the following conditions:
- Cracked or chipped teeth.
- Cover up or recolor discolored teeth.
- Close gaps between teeth.
- Increase the length of your teeth.
- Change the shape of your teeth.
The composite bonding material used is very versatile. In a dentist’s office, it can be used to treat other conditions like cavities, replace old silver fillings, and shield exposed tooth roots.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
CONSULTATION
The first thing that happens is a consultation with your dentist. You will discuss what you want to achieve with your cosmetic procedure. If your goals are reasonable, you will need to have some tests. The dentist will need to perform X-rays and check your gum health. If you have other conditions like gum disease or tooth decay, you must treat them first.
THE PROCEDURE
The procedure involves several steps and can last between 30 to 60 minutes per tooth, depending on the amount of work needed.
SELECTING SHADE COLOR
Using a shade guide, your dentist will check the shade of your teeth. The shade of the composite material should match your natural tooth color. It is crucial so that the resin remains invisible on your teeth.
TOOTH PREPARATION
The next stage of the procedure is preparing your tooth for the composite material. The material works best with a rough surface, providing more surface area and friction. So, the dentist will roughen the surface of your tooth. Then they apply a conditioning liquid to the surface of the tooth.
APPLYING THE RESIN
The composite material has a putty-like consistency that allows manipulation. The dentist takes a specific amount and applies it to the tooth. He/she then shapes and sculpts it to the correct shape.
CURING THE RESIN
After sculpting the resin, the next step is to harden or cure it. The dentist uses a special light that hardens the resin and causes it to bond to your teeth. The light reacts with the resin, causing a molecular reaction that hardens it.
POLISHING
After hardening, the resin usually has a dull look and maybe a bit of shape. The dentist then changes the shape and polishes it to look more like your natural teeth.
For more about composite bonding and what to expect, visit Sand Lake Dental at our office in Orlando, Florida. Call (407) 355-0608 to book an appointment today.
