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Composite bonding offers a simple method of restoring your smile to its original beauty and even improving upon what nature has given you. We can actually enhance your smile with bonding (a form of cosmetic dentistry) for a wide variety of restorative applications.
Cracked, decayed and chipped teeth are common, but they can flaw your smile. Whether as a result of decay, trauma, tooth grinding, too vigorous tooth brushing, or just bad luck, many damaged or disfigured teeth can be restored in one office visit with composite bonding. Likewise, composite bonding can eliminate or improve the appearance of unattractive spaces between teeth, improve the color of stained or discolored teeth and old fillings, and reshape crooked or misshapen teeth.
What is Composite Bonding?
Composite bonding is one of the most conservative, versatile and affordable ways to esthetically restore a multitude of dental conditions. We can use this tooth-colored, natural looking synthetic material to:
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Replace old or unattractive "silver fillings".
(Tooth Colored Fillings)
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Repair root abrasion (on roots exposed by gum recession or notched by years of aggressive brushing). Covering these areas helps prevent cavities, further wear, and root sensitivity and it improves their appearance.
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Close diastemas (spaces between the teeth).
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Restore chipped or fractured teeth.
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Improve or change the color of permanently stained or discolored teeth.
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Reshape crooked or misshapen teeth . 
How is Composite Bonding Done?
In some cases, because the dentist is not going into your tooth, bonding can be done without getting the teeth numb. If decay is present or the tooth is sensitive, the teeth to be treated will be made numb with a strong anesthetic solution. Decay, old fillings or stain is then removed. The tooth is then "etched" with a mild acidic solution. This roughens the enamel surface and allows the bonding material to adhere. A shade of composite filling material is chosen that matches your natural tooth and is applied to the tooth to be bonded. The dentist then shines a special light on the area to harden the material. The surface of the composite is then trimmed and polished to achieve a natural luster and appearance.What are the Advantages of Composite Bonding?
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Appearance - Available in a variety of colors and special shades, bonding can be made to look like your natural tooth structure or even improve the appearance.
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Strength - Composite bonding produces a filling that supports a tooth, making it less likely to break. Unlike "silver fillings" that depend on undercuts to hold them in place, composite bonding adheres to the tooth itself.
(Tooth Colored Fillings)
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Tooth Conservation - In some cases, only a small amount of natural tooth structure, if any, is removed.
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Reduced Anesthesia Required - In some cases getting the teeth numb is not necessary. Your teeth can be restored with little or no discomfort.
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Reduced Time - Bonding can sometimes be completed in one visit.
How Long Does Bonding Last?
Although not as strong as crown and bridge treatment or porcelain veneers, with proper care a bonded restoration may last five years or more before requiring touch up or replacement. We will monitor this during your routine checkups. Not all dental conditions can be treated with composite bonding. A thorough examination and x-rays need to be performed before proper recommendations can be made for each individual situation.
Patient Expectations
Like any man-made material, there are some limitations with composite bonding. It can chip. Avoid biting fingernails, ice, peanut brittle and other hard items. Bonded areas are more prone to staining than your natural teeth, so it is important to take good care of your restored teeth at home. Avoid ingestion of staining substances such as coffee, tea and colas. Also avoid smoking and chewing tobacco. With good home care and regular professional cleaning, your composite bonding can remain beautiful and natural looking for years before needing touch ups or replacements.
If there is something about your smile that is not as ideal as you would like, please do not hesitate to ask us. With today's advances in cosmetic dentistry, there are many options to improve the appearance of your smile. Composite bonding is one of the choices. The latest generation of these new adhesive materials permits our dentists to place functional, long lasting, beautiful restorations that can be contoured and shade-matched to defy even the closest scrutiny. |
