Are your teeth looking a little beat up? Worn down? Maybe you haven’t talked to your dentist because you don’t want complicated and expensive dental procedures?
Cosmetic dental bonding may the simple and affordable solution for your tired teeth. AH Smiles, your dental provider in Arlington Heights, IL, explains how this relatively inexpensive and increasingly popular cosmetic dentistry treatment can help you restore your smile.
What is cosmetic dental bonding?
Cosmetic bonding is a procedure that repairs damage and defects in the enamel of your teeth. AH Smiles uses composite resin, a soft, plastic-based material also used for filling cavities, to reshape and fill in the damaged parts of your teeth. The resin can be sculpted to fill in chips or indentations of any shape, making it perfect for treating many different cosmetic dental issues.
Once the resin hardens or bonds — hence the name of the procedure — it will be as strong as your own natural tooth enamel. Your AH Smiles dentist will choose a composite resin that is tinted to match your tooth enamel so that the bonded area blends right in with your own smile.
What are the signs dental bonding may be necessary?
Even small chips in teeth can be noticeable but cosmetic bonding can be used to fill in these imperfections. It can also be used to protect the roots of teeth that have been exposed due to receding gums. The loss of that protective layer of gum tissue can increase sensitivity of teeth making eating painful. Covering the roots with composite resin can protect the roots from infection while also reducing sensitivity.
If you have a tooth that is discolored, twisted, crooked, short or oddly shaped teeth but still in perfectly good shape otherwise, bonding can help. The resin can be sculpted and tinted to change the appearance and color of the tooth, giving your smile a more uniform look.
Cosmetic bonding can also be used to fill in small gaps between your teeth that can trap food and make you feel self-conscious about your smile. Bonding can close that gaps without the time, discomfort and expense of orthodontic treatment.
While composite bonding does not last as long as porcelain dental veneers, you should still be able to wear them for up to 10 years if you care for them properly. Avoiding hard candy, chewing ice cubes and other eating hard or sticky foods that can crack your composite material is recommended.
Cosmetic dental bonding in Arlington Heights, IL
Cosmetic dental bonding can give you the healthy smile you’ve always! Call AH Smiles, your dentist in Arlington Heights at (847) 230-9703 or schedule online for your consultation.