Whenever we see a photograph of an individual with perfectly-shaped and stunningly
bright pearly whites, we often wish we also had that perfect smile. Even if we know that the photo
must have been digitally edited and touched up, we cannot help but desire teeth that look even half
as good. However, this can seem somewhat impossible if one is dealing with gaps, chips, cracks,
stains and irregular shapes. Even when such teeth are perfectly healthy and free from decay, they
can give one the impression that they aren’t healthy simply because of their appearance.
Fortunately, there exists a cosmetic dental procedure that may be able to resolve all of that–Dental
bonding.
HOW DENTAL BONDING WORKS
In order to receive dental bonding, one must first have their teeth examined by a
dentist. He will want to ensure that your teeth are healthy, taking care of any spots of decay first
as necessary. He will also consider the desired outcome of aesthetically pleasing teeth and
determine whether dental bonding is truly the best way to achieve this.
Where your dentist has thoroughly examined your teeth and determined that dental
bonding is appropriate for you, the procedure itself is fairly simple:
Dental enamel removal- A small amount of surface enamel may need to be removed to
make room for the bonding material. This is simply to ensure that the placement of bonding
material does not overcrowd the teeth and create new dental issues.
Adhesive placement- Bonding agent is applied to the appropriate teeth to ensure
better and more secure adhesion between the bonding material and your teeth. Bonding placement-
Using the bonding material that is most appropriate and properly shaded to the color of your
teeth, your dentist will apply the bonding material to your teeth.
Shaping and molding- Your dentist will shape and mold the bonding material to
achieve the desired cosmetic effects. This may include covering stained, chipped, cracked or
misshapen teeth, closing the gap between two teeth or restoring basic structure following minor
decay.
Curing- With a special dental curing light, your dentist will harden the bonding
material.
Polishing- Finally, the bonding material will be polished so that it looks and
feels like a healthy, natural tooth.
AFTER THE PROCEDURE-
Undergoing the procedure does not mean that one must then adhere to a specialized
dental regimen thereafter. The normal oral hygiene habits your dentist asks you to participate
in, including:
* Twice-daily brushing,
* Once-daily flossing,
* Twice-annual dental examinations and cleanings,
* A proper nutritious diet,
* Should be sufficient to ensure that your dental bonding lasts for a considerable period.
Although it's durable, it would be wise to avoid chewing on hard objects that can
cause damage to natural teeth. Hard objects like ice, pencils and other such things.
