What Is Cosmetic Bonding and How Can It Help Your Smile?

Posted on: 28 February 2017

A very common complaint about dental treatment is the vast number of visits that are required in order to maintain a smile. Dentists recognise that process improvements are required in order to give lasting results that minimise the number of times a patient has to visit the office. One such way of achieving this result is through cosmetic bonding.

What is Cosmetic Bonding?

Cosmetic bonding is a process whereby a flexible adhesive is applied directly onto a broken tooth. Once this material has been applied, it is left to harden. This hardening process is what forms the "bond" that can help repair damaged teeth.

Whilst cosmetic bonding is typically used to maintain and repair damaged teeth, the process can also be used to give teeth a cosmetic makeover. Specifically, there is a wide range of finishes that can be used alongside the bonding material in order to give you a better aesthetic appearance. This means that the bonding process can achieve two things at once – ensuring the structural integrity of teeth whilst significantly improving the sharpness of your smile.

When Would Cosmetic Bonding be Required?

If you're looking for a purely cosmetic makeover, cosmetic bonding is highly beneficial if your teeth have become discolored. Whether it's through smoking, drinking coffee, or even just the ageing process, cosmetic bonding can help you restore the natural white color of your teeth. In these situations, it's best to combine cosmetic bonding with a thorough clean and polish in order to bring some sparkle back to your smile.

For cracked teeth, cosmetic bonding is a proven way of blending the tooth back into the rest of the mouth. In the vast majority of cases, chipped or broken teeth can expose the structure of the tooth. This can be disguised by installing a cosmetic bond in the affected area, which also ensures the area is protected from excessive damage.

Is Cosmetic Bonding Intrusive?

One of the main concerns dental patients have is that a treatment is going to be invasive or painful. Many people believe that a bonding procedure would be fairly intrusive, but this simply isn't the case. Rather, the entire procedure usually requires only one visit. This visit takes place at your dentist's office and you won't need to go under general anesthetic to have the procedure carried out.

The entire procedure is quick and pain-free. Your dentist will apply the bonding agent over the damaged area, including neighboring teeth. To increase the hardening process, your dentist will then shine a curing light at the agent to ensure it forms a protective layer as quickly as possible.

After the agent has hardened and your dentist is happy with the result, you are free to leave the dentist's office. In the vast majority of situations, this will be the end of the process. However, you may have to return for a check-up in a few months' time to see if you need more bonding agent. 

For more information about dental bonding and whether it's right for you, talk to a dentist like John C. Matunas D.D.S., PA.

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