Bonding in cosmetic dentistry is the process of combing dental materials and natural teeth. It is often used when teeth are chipped, misshapen, or awkwardly gapped. Bonding is a painless and non invasive process, and is often accomplished in only one visit to the dentist. There is nothing “temporary”, there is no need to make a mold, and there are no months of waiting in-between steps. Bonding is a simple, no fuss, one and your done process. And it is not that expensive.
There are different bonding methods. One type of bonding is used to link one surface to another. This is used mostly when other types of fillings need to be attached to a natural tooth. The most common type of bonding is called direct bonding. This type of bonding allows the dentist to use the bonding resin right on the tooth, covering and filling over the flawed area. This method is mostly used for the chipped and cracked teeth.
The actual bonding process is relatively simple. In the first step of the process, the tooth that needs to be bonded is isolated. This makes sure that moisture will not interfere with anything. The second step involves the isolated tooth undergoing an etching process. This process hardens the tooth by applying phosphoric acid to it for roughly fifteen seconds. The acid is then removed and the bonding resin is put on the tooth. The dentist shapes the resin around the tooth, and uses a special light to help the process along. The application of the resin, shaping, and use of the light is repeated several times until the perfect shape of the tooth is achieved.
Bonding is a good idea because it is reasonably priced and it solves common problems like a chipped or cracked tooth. However, if the process is not done up to par, side effects can occur. Severe tooth sensitivity may happen, and bacteria can invade the bonded tooth and cause further damage. The good news is that these side effects can be reversed by the dentist. There is no reason to be afraid of tooth bonding – it is inexpensive, noninvasive, and any problems that may happen can be fixed by the Georgia Cosmetic dentist.
Since teeth are not naturally stain resistant, they tend to become discolored by everyday habits – like drinking coffee or smoking cigarettes. Age, trauma, and even grinding can attribute to teeth discoloration. However, teeth that are stained and discolored can be whitened. There are two options. A dentist can whiten teeth, or so can in home treatments that can be purchased at any grocery or drug store. In home treatments are cheaper than having the dentist whiten your teeth. However, going to the dentist only takes one trip, and then it is over and your teeth are shining white. At home treatments may take weeks to take effect. Both have their pros and cons.
At the office dental whitening procedures will only typically take around 45 minutes. Getting your teeth whitened at the dentist provides the most dramatic results in the shortest amount of time available. When you go to see your dentist for the teeth whitening procedure, your dentist will use a tooth shade chart. This chart is used to figure out your current tooth shade and your goal tooth shade. Once your goal shade is established, a protective guard is placed in your mouth to protect your lips and gums from the whitening gel. It is common for the gel to be applied up to three different times in one visit. A special lamp is used on the gel to speed up the whitening process. The gel typically stays on your teeth for around twenty minutes at a time. The teeth whitening procedures done by the dentist is far more effective in a shorter amount of time then the teeth whitening procedures that can be done at home. However, they are far more costly and the can cause more tooth sensitivity than at home procedures.
At home teeth whitening procedures may take several weeks to take full effect. The gel is typically in the form of a strip that is placed over the teeth for a designated amount of time – a half an hour to sixty minutes. This is repeated up to two times a day for around ten days. It is not as fast as getting your teeth whitened by a dentist, but it is less costly, and may people find it just as effective. However, at home procedures may need to be repeated every several months.
It is a matter of preference what you choose. Both ways get you white teeth. One way is faster, though more expensive – the other way is less costly, but much slower. If you have the money and need your teeth whitened quickly, the Georgia Cosmetic dentist is the way to go. If you do not have the money, but you still want white teeth, at home procedures work just as well.