Cosmetic Dental Bonding Uses
You may not have heard of dental bonding, but you have more than likely heard of natural-looking tooth-colored dental fillings. These fillings are made of composite resin material mixed to match the color and translucence of a natural tooth, and this is the same material is used in the dental bonding process. Our cosmetic dentists at the Dental Associates of New England recommend cosmetic dental bonding to their Boston patients for a variety of reasons.
What Is Cosmetic Dental Bonding Used for?
Dental bonding is a process that involves applying composite resin directly to the tooth’s surface. After molding and sculpting the resin into the desired shape, your cosmetic dentist will then apply a special light (called a “curing light”) to the resin in order to set and harden the material, bonding it permanently to the underlying natural tooth.
The most common use of composite resin dental bonding is as a material for tooth colored fillings, used as a means to repair tooth decay. But there are also many other uses for dental bonding. Your cosmetic dentist may recommend the technique to:
- Fill in and reinforce chipped or cracked teeth
- Contour misshaped or underdeveloped teeth
- Make the edges of a tooth smoother and more even
- Fill in gaps between teeth
- Erase tooth discoloration
In other words, the applications for cosmetic dental bonding are nearly limitless in the realm of correcting cracks and surface flaws on tooth enamel.
What Are the Benefits of Cosmetic Dental Bonding?
Why would a patient choose dental bonding over other cosmetic dental treatments like porcelain veneers or dental crowns? There are several benefits to cosmetic dental bonding that put it ahead of the competition. These benefits include:
- Cost Savings - When it comes to cosmetic dental procedures, dental bonding is one of the least costly treatment options on the market. Through dental bonding, a patient can correct cosmetic flaws at a fraction of the price compared to similar methods.
- Focused Care - Another source of cost savings is the fact that, rather than capping a row of teeth with crowns, with cosmetic dental bonding, your cosmetic dentist can focus directly on a specific area of a single tooth for targeted cosmetic care.
- Keep Your Natural Teeth Intact - In order to properly fit and apply most traditional porcelain veneers, your cosmetic dentist must first drill away a portion of your underlying natural tooth. This process is common, but makes the application of porcelain veneers a permanent one. With dental bonding, on the other hand, your affected natural tooth enamel will remain completely intact.
Contact Your Cosmetic Dentist Today
Don’t let prohibitive costs prevent you from achieving a brighter and more flawless smile. With cosmetic dental bonding techniques, that smile can be within your reach. If you have been living with cracked, broken, or discolored teeth, contact the office of Dental Associates of New England to schedule a consultation and learn more about your cosmetic dental bonding options today.