Bonding Can Repair Small Chips Or Cracks In Your Smile
posted: Jun. 16, 2016.
Are you concerned about chips and cracks in your teeth but don't want to spend a lot of money to correct minor cosmetic issues? Bonding offers a simple, inexpensive way to improve the appearance of teeth damaged by cracks and chips. Dr. David Kahn and Dr. John Pergolizzi, your Ringwood, NJ dentists, explain how bonding can transform your smile.
What is bonding?
The bonding material your dentist uses to repair teeth is made of composite resin, a plastic-based material that is very flexible. Composite bonding resembles putty and can be shaped by hand to fit the cracked or chipped areas of your teeth. Although the material is soft when it's placed on your teeth, it quickly hardens and becomes just as tough as your natural tooth enamel.
When is bonding recommended?
Bonding is a very versatile material that is used to:
- Cover chips and cracks
- Protect exposed tooth roots
- Improve the appearance of discolored teeth
- Make oddly shaped teeth look more uniform
- Increase the length of short teeth
- Fill teeth
What happens during the bonding process?
Preparation is an important part of the bonding process. Before using the bonding material, your Ringwood dentist will lightly etch your tooth and apply a pre-bonding liquid. These steps will help ensure that the material adheres well to your teeth. Composite resin is available in a variety of tooth-colored shades. Your dentist will hold up bonding samples to your teeth and choose the shade that most closely matches your teeth.
After the tooth is prepared, your dentist will shape and apply the composite resin material. He'll use an ultraviolet light to cure the resin, which will ensure that it's hard enough to withstand chewing and biting. After the tooth is polished, you won't be able to tell that you once had a crack or chip when you look in the mirror.
Don't let chips and cracks may you feel self-conscious about your smile. Call Dr. Kahn or Dr. Pergolizzi, your dentists in Ringwood, NJ, at (973) 835-3900 and schedule an appointment today. Restore your smile with dental bonding!
