Are your teeth looking a bit worse for wear but you’re leery of having complicated and expensive dental procedures to restore them? Cosmetic dental bonding may be one simple procedure you can have to resolve multiple cosmetic dental issues at once.
Dr. Brent Engelberg of AH Smiles, a respected dental practice in Arlington Heights, IL, explains how this relatively inexpensive and increasingly popular cosmetic dentistry treatment can help you have a fresher, healthier looking smile.
What is cosmetic dental bonding?
Cosmetic dental bonding is a treatment that can correct damage and imperfections in your tooth enamel such as chips and indentations. Dr. Engelberg uses composite resin, a soft, plastic-based material, to fill in and change the damaged areas on your enamel, refreshing the appearance of your smile.
Composite resin is like the dental version of the spackle used in home repairs to repair dents and holes in drywall, but for your teeth. This product is available in several shades to match different colors and shades of tooth enamel and can be worked by Dr. Engelberg to fill in any shape, making it ideal for treating a variety of cosmetic dental issues. Once the resin hardens and bonds to your enamel — hence the name “cosmetic bonding” — it will look just like it and be just as strong as well.
What are the signs that you may need dental bonding?
Chips in tooth enamel, even small ones, can be noticeable and make you feel self-conscious. But resin can be used to fill in these chips and to cover and protect roots of teeth that have become exposed due to receding gum tissue. Without this protective layer of gum tissue, you may experience increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods and beverages and eating can become difficult and painful. Covering the exposed roots with composite resin can eliminate this sensitivity while protecting the roots.
Maybe you have one tooth that is oddly shaped or out of place? A tooth can be discolored, twisted, crooked, short or oddly shaped teeth but still otherwise healthy. Bonding resin can be used to alter the appearance and color of the tooth to give your smile a more uniform look.
Cosmetic bonding is also a good option for helping you eliminate small gaps between your teeth. Gaps between your teeth can catch food increasing the risk of tooth decay as well as making you feel self-conscious about your smile. Bonding is a simple and relatively affordable means to closing those spaces for a healthier and more confident smile.
While composite bonding doesn’t have the longevity of dental veneers, they should last you about 10 years if you care for them properly. This means you should not use your teeth to rip or tear non-food items as well as avoiding hard candy, ice cubes and other hard or sticky food that can crack your composite material.
Cosmetic dental bonding in Arlington Heights, IL
Cosmetic dental bonding can resolve a variety of cosmetic dental issues to help you have the fresh smile you want! Call Dr. Engelberg at AH Smiles at (847) 230-9703 or schedule online for your consultation.