Dental Bonding: What You Need To Know
by Christy Long
For many years, dental bonding has been effectively used to improve the appearance of damaged teeth without the need for more extensive and invasive procedures. Specifically, dental bonding refers to a procedure where a special, tooth-colored resin is used to restore the appearance of chipped and otherwise imperfect teeth. Dental bonding can even be used to fill in tooth gaps. If you're unhappy with your smile, there are a few things you should know about dental bonding.
It Might Be Covered By Your Insurance
First of all, while bonding is a cosmetic procedure of sorts, there are many instances where it may still be covered (at least partially) by your dental insurance plan. This is most common when the procedure is deemed necessary to prevent your tooth from further damage or from injuring you. For example, if you chip your tooth, bonding may protect the tooth from further damage and prevent a jagged edge of the chipped tooth from cutting your lip or mouth.
Bonding is Not the Only Option
While dental bonding is an excellent option, keep in mind that your dentist may present other restorative options to you depending on your specific situation. For example, if your tooth is significantly chipped and damaged, then a dentist may recommend a more permanent and durable solution, such as a crown or bridge. Furthermore, keep in mind that bonding may not be ideal for parts of the teeth that endure high amounts of bite pressure, such as the molars.
Your Dentist May Need to Use Anesthesia
In order to get the bonding resin to properly adhere to your tooth, your dentist will most likely need to roughen the tooth's surface using a special tool. This can cause a little bit of discomfort in some patients, so don't be surprised if your dentist offers to use anesthesia to numb the area before beginning.
Bonding Resin Can Last Up to a Decade
With proper care, dental bonding resin can last for a decade before it needs to be redone, making it a great solution for those who have chipped or otherwise damaged teeth. Just remember that resin cannot be whitened like the rest of your teeth, so you will need to keep up with excellent dental hygiene habits to keep your resin matching the shade of whiteness that the rest of your teeth have. This will keep them looking great for years to come!
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About Me
I was very unhappy with the way that my front teeth looked. They were crooked and stained with an ugly yellow tint. I asked my dentist if there was anything that could be done to improve them. After discussing the options with my dentist, I decided to have crowns put on my front teeth. The procedure was painless and I wish that I had done it sooner. My name is Constance Graham and I am writing this blog to inform others about cosmetic dentistry. If you don’t like the way your teeth look, speak to your dentist about improving your smile. There are various cosmetic procedures that you can have done such as veneers, crowns, teeth whitening, and dental implants. I hope you use the information in this blog to learn more about cosmetic dentistry and how it can help you.