Dental Bonding Candidates
Patients visit our Redwood City cosmetic dentistry practice everyday with different sorts of dental problems. Some are more serious than others, of course. Yet many times, we see minor chips, cracks, and imperfections on a tooth that don’t need invasive or involved dental treatment. For these little touch-ups that we see so often, the best option is usually dental bonding. Let’s take an opportunity to look at the basics of dental bonding and what this treatment option can do for you.
What is dental bonding?
Dental bonding refers to the use of dental ceramic material to help address minor problems with the appearance of a tooth. The bonding material is tooth-colored and matched to your smile, which means that it will blend in seamlessly. Many people you know have probably had dental bonding done but you just don’t know it.
About the Dental Bonding Procedure
The procedure will involve the cleaning of the tooth and the prepping of the tooth. This preparation of the tooth means that your cosmetic dentist in Redwood City will make a slightly abrasive surface on the enamel so the bonding material will stay. Next comes the application of the bonding material, a process that’s just like painting. The bonding material is then allowed to harden. The bonding material is then carefully polished so that it looks seamless when compared to the natural material of your tooth.
What can dental bonding do for me?
We mentioned above that tooth bonding is great for the little touch-ups of chips and cracks, but occasionally it can be used to mask minor stains or discolorations. That’s right, sometimes you can just get dental bonding instead of having a teeth whitening procedure performed.
Best Candidates for Dental Bonding
The best candidates for dental bonding are people in generally good dental health who need minor aesthetic imperfections of their teeth addressed. This distinction of minor aesthetic problems is important. For major dental health issues with a tooth or for problems related to the overall structural integrity of a tooth, dental bonding is not ideal. A more substantial treatment option should be considered for those matters.
Alternatives to Dental Bonding
When it comes to alternatives to dental bonding, it all really depends on your needs. For aesthetic problems that are too substantial for dental bonding to address, the use of Redwood City porcelain veneers is an ideal alternative treatment. Porcelain veneers are great for masking chips, cracks, major stains, and even minor misalignments.
If you have a tooth that is structurally compromised in some way, you’re better off getting dental crowns, inlays, or onlays. Those treatments are great for reconstructive measures, rebuilding tooth structure, and improving bite strength. We can discuss all dental bonding alternatives in greater detail during your visit.
Learn More About Your Dental Care Options
If you would like to learn more about dental bonding and your many other options for safe and effective dental care, be sure to contact our Redwood City cosmetic dentistry practice today. Our entire team is eager to discuss your treatment options in greater detail so you can make a safe and well-informed decision about your dental health.