Cosmetic bonding, which is also known as dental bonding or direct bonding, is among the most common cosmetic dental treatments in Branford. It is a comfortable procedure that delivers remarkable results in just a single appointment! What exactly is it capable of accomplishing? In this blog post, we will discuss what dental bonding is and four common problems that it may be able to address.
What Is Dental Bonding?
During the dental bonding procedure, your cosmetic dentist in Branford molds a tooth-colored resin onto a tooth. After the resin hardens (which takes just a few seconds), it serves as a cover for the tooth and can thereby change its appearance and shape. The color of the resin is carefully selected so that it blends in well with the surrounding dentition. In most cases, the results of dental bonding last for several years.
Problems Dental Bonding Can Fix
Dental bonding can be used for numerous purposes. Some issues that it is often able to fix include:
Chips and Cracks
Do you have a chip out of one of your front teeth? In many cases, such chips are purely cosmetic in nature, but they can make an individual self-conscious. Dental bonding can reshape the tooth, disguising the chip and providing you with a more symmetrical smile. It can also protect the soft tissues in your mouth from the tooth’s jagged edges.
Gaps Between the Teeth
It is commonly believed that orthodontic treatment is the only way to address gaps between the teeth. However, if the gap is small enough, and there are no other dental misalignment issues, dental bonding may provide a much faster route to a gap-free smile. The bonding can make one or both teeth that surround the gap appear bigger, thereby closing that unsightly extra space.
Exposed Roots
Gum recession can occur for various reasons, such as genetics, overzealous brushing, and gum disease. Eventually, the gums might shrink back to the point where the roots of the teeth become exposed. This can result in increased dental sensitivity. Dental bonding may be the best way to cover the exposed roots and help you find relief from sensitive teeth.
Cavities
Fillings and dental bonding are often regarded as two completely different procedures — but they actually have a lot in common! In fact, the same resin that is used to reshape teeth is also used for tooth-colored fillings. These fillings look better than their old-fashioned metal counterparts and are completely free of toxic mercury.
Is Dental Bonding Right for You?
Dental bonding is a great fit for many patients, but there are other treatments that may also be able to help you achieve your desired results. If you would like to learn about your options for improving the health or appearance of your smile, your local cosmetic dentist is ready to help.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Dean Cloutier is the experienced, friendly general and cosmetic dentist at New Haven Dental Group in Branford. Dental bonding is among the many services that he and our team offer. If you are curious to learn more about this quick and relatively low-cost procedure, contact our practice at 203-437-9112.