DENTAL BONDING IN MOBILE, AL FOR A BEAUTIFUL SMILE
DENTAL BONDING
For patients with a chip, minor crack, or issues with spacing between teeth, dental bonding may be the perfect solution. Dental bonding involves the use of a resin to repair the appearance of a tooth that has suffered from minor damage or has spacing issues. Dental veneers are significantly less invasive than other options and provide a beautiful and seamless restoration.
WHAT IS DENTAL BONDING?
For people who have minor cosmetic issues that they would like to fix, dental bonding may be a better option than dental crowns or veneers. The process of dental bonding involves the chairside/immediate application of a bonded composite resin (tooth colored) filling. These bonded composite resins can address similar issues as veneers, but may not be considered as permanent or as strong as their porcelain counterpart.
WHAT ARE VENEERS?
Veneers are pieces of porcelain that are placed over the front surface of a tooth that has been damaged from trauma or a cavity.
Essentially, a dentist will bond a veneer to on top of the front surface of the original tooth, and this will help to correct certain cosmetic issues, such as:
- Cracked/fractured teeth
- Mild spacing between teeth
- Rotated teeth
- Discoloration and mild stain that cannot be bleached
- Malformed or malpositioned teeth
While porcelain veneers may involve the removal of part of the tooth’s original surface, they are not as aggressive or as invasive as full coverage dental crowns.
What’s the Difference Between Bonding and Veneers?
As you can see, porcelain veneers and dental bonding have a lot in common. So what exactly is the difference?
The first key difference is the material being used. Generally, veneers are made with porcelain or ceramics. On the other hand, resin or plastic is used for dental bonding. The process involved with veneers and dental bonding is also quite different in a number of ways. When you have veneers placed, there is a process of removing a minimal amount of the superficial enamel on the teeth that are being repaired. An impression of the teeth is sent to a lab for custom fabrication. On the other hand, during dental bonding, the enamel is generally left alone, and instead the resin is bonded in the space caused by the fracture or cavity in the existing tooth. This is also a much faster process, which may allow a patient to finish the procedure within one visit.
What Is the Process of Dental Bonding Like?
Dental bonding is actually a simpler and quicker process. As was mentioned earlier, dental bonding can be completed in as little as one visit to the dentist. The process involves a consultation, in which the dentist decides if dental bonding is the best way to address your concerns. From there, your dentist will pick the right shade to match your teeth.
The bonding process involves conditioning the tooth surface. After placing a bonding solution, the resin is applied in layers and cured until hard. Once the resin is fully placed, it is contoured and polished. The procedure is generally painless, and sometimes does not require anesthesia.
Do I Need Veneers or Dental Bonding?
Whether you need dental bonding or veneers will greatly depend on the severity of the issue. If a tooth is severely chipped or cracked, bonding may not be adequate to fix the issue. If the problem is minor and primarily cosmetic, on the other hand, dental bonding can allow for a restoration that does not involve the reshaping of the otherwise healthy portion of the tooth. Your dentist will help you to better determine which option is best to meet your needs.