Bonding & Veneers
Many
people are unhappy with the way that their teeth look. There
are now available many techniques and materials that can improve the
appearance of your teeth. Bonding, a new
way of using plastic material to correct dental problems, is one of
the most important of these techniques. There are many cases
that bonding can be used to treat teeth. Some of these cases
include: badly fractured or chipped teeth; and widely spaced,
malformed, or badly stained teeth (from the use of certain
antibiotics such as tetracycline during tooth development.
 How Bonding Is Done
To begin
with, a mild etching solution is applied to the enamel of the tooth
or teeth being treated. The etching solution is used to cause
the tooth enamel to become slightly rough, which in turn will allow
other materials to bond to the tooth. Next, the tooth is
painted with a liquid plastic material called resin. The resin
adheres to the etched surface, where it is held firmly.
At this point, the dentist may choose
to either apply a composite resin, or bond acrylic or porcelain
veneers to the teeth depending on the problem being treated.
The composite resin is a thicker
plastic material that is used to form, rebuild, or replace parts of
a tooth. After the composite resin has been shaped, it is hardened
by either a chemical process or by exposure to a special
light. The surface of the composite resin will then be
polished.
The acrylic or
porcelain veneers use the same resin materials as the bonding agent
and are bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth.
Advantages and Limitations of Bonding
There are
many advantages to bonding. Bonding can improve the appearance
of the teeth with little or no drilling or anesthesia. Teeth
that have been bonded generally require a shorter treatment period
and may cost less than crowns.
Bonding
also has some limitations. Bonding is used primarily as a way
to improve the appearance of the front teeth. Teeth that have
been bonded are not strong enough to withstand the pressure that is
exerted on the back teeth or any of the chewing surfaces of the
teeth. Bonded teeth typically have an average life of three to
five years which is somewhat shorter than the average life of a
crown. Composite resin materials also have a tendency to stain
rather easily, especially if the person smokes, drinks coffee or
tea, or eats certain types of foods.
Veneers offer a more permanent solution to bonding. Veneers allow
for minimal removal of tooth structure. With veneers teeth can
be made to the ideal shape, size, and color.
 Summary
There are
several techniques that can used to improve the appearance of your
teeth. A
dentist will be able to recommend a particular treatment after a
thorough examination of your teeth and considering your individual
needs.
If you are unhappy with the way
that your teeth look, check with a dentist about the many different
techniques that can be used in cosmetic dentistry. Many
people, just like you, have taken this step, and have happier, more
beautiful smiles to prove it.
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