Fix Gaps Between Teeth With Dental Bonding
According to the American Dental Association, as many as 25% of American adults have a gap between their front teeth. In many cases, these gap-toothed Americans are good candidates for dental bonding. Dental bonding can reduce or eliminate this space, using sculpted tooth-colored composite resin to cover and fill gaps in the teeth. The procedure of dental bonding is a simple and common treatment that often requires only a single dental visit. When bonds are used for cosmetic purposes, like filling in small gaps, the procedure is quick, affordable, and painless.
First, the dentist will match your teeth to the proper shade of bonding material using a special color chart. Next, the dentist will prepare the surface of your teeth to facilitate the adherence of the bonding material; this is done with a mild etching solution and the application of a conditioning primer. You might notice the taste of the etching solution, which is bitter, but harmless. The bonding material itself has a putty-like consistency that allows the dentist to sculpt it directly onto the teeth, using a set of small tools. Once the dentist has sculpted the bonding material to fill or cover the gap, they will use an ultraviolet light to cure, or set, the newly sculpted bonded surface, hardening it to an enamel-like finish. The dentist then polishes the hardened bonding surface, to prevent it from irritating the inside of your mouth and to match it to adjacent surfaces in texture and tone. Once this is done, the procedure is complete.
Depending on the complexity of the procedure, bonding can cost as little as $300 per tooth. Of course, when correcting an undesired gap in the front teeth, dentists must bond two teeth; still, the cost of bridging a gap with bonding materials is considerably less than other more intensive procedures. However, while bonding can effectively close the gap between front teeth in many people, it is not to be considered a substitute for orthodontic treatment. Your dentist will help determine whether it is right for you, and will refer you to an orthodontist if necessary. If your only dental issue is a small, undesired gap between your front teeth, bonding may be an appropriate treatment for you. Considering its relatively low cost and considerable aesthetic benefits, bonding is a high-yield investment in the lifetime of your smile.
Even without other orthodontic concerns, you may not be a good candidate for dental bonding, specifically of the front teeth, if you smoke cigarettes or drink coffee, tea, or red wine, as the composite resin is porous and may stain or yellow. You may also want to consider alternatives to bonding if you bite your nails or frequently chew on things, like pen caps, as the bonding material is not as strong as natural teeth and may be damaged by these and similar habits. Be honest with your dentist! With behavior modification and healthy habits, along with regularly scheduled professional cleanings and daily care and maintenance, you can rely on that new bright smile for a while.
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