Dental bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that can be used to restore or improve the appearance of a tooth. The procedure involves applying a tooth-colored resin material (made of durable plastic) and then hardening it with a special light to bond the material to the tooth.
Dental bonding can be used for a variety of cosmetic and restorative dental applications including the following:
- to repair a decayed tooth (composite resins)
- to improve the appearance of discolored teeth
- to close a gap or space between teeth
- to make a tooth appear longer
- to alter the shape of a tooth
- to fill a space where gums have receded, exposing the root of a tooth
Unlike some other cosmetic and restorative dental treatments, dental bonding requires very little advance preparation. Typically, this treatment does not require the use of anesthesia. An exception to this is when dental bonding is being used to fill a cavity in a tooth. First, your dentist will select a composite resin color that will most closely match the color of your natural teeth. Next, he or she will roughen the surface of the tooth and then apply a conditioning liquid. This will help the material to bond to the tooth. Next, the putty-like material is applied to the tooth and molded to the desired shape and then smoothed over. Last, an ultraviolet light or laser is used to harden the material. After it has hardened, your dentist may further trim, shape and polish the material, as needed.
If you want to improve the appearance of a tooth that is discolored, gapped, misshaped or otherwise unattractive, talk to your dentist about dental bonding. After a thorough evaluation, your dentist can determine if this advanced restorative and cosmetic dental treatment is right for you.
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