“Go big or go home!” might be the rallying cry of gamblers and buffet aficionados, but it isn’t necessarily the truth when it comes to making over your smile. Unfortunately, many people are under the impression that cosmetic dentistry has to involve big, complex (and expensive) treatments that dramatically alter the appearance of their smile. This actually isn’t the case for most cosmetic dentistry patients and your dentist can recommend a number of conservative treatment options to help you achieve your best smile. Cosmetic bonding is an excellent example of a small, non-invasive, and inexpensive treatment option that can make big changes in your smile.
What is Cosmetic Bonding?
Simply put, cosmetic bonding is a procedure in which your dentist adds dental resin (a hard, tooth-colored material also used to fill in cavities) to a tooth to change its shape and/or color.
What Issues Can Cosmetic Bonding Address?
Cosmetic bonding has a number of uses, including:
- Repairing chipped teeth
- Filling in gaps between teeth
- Hiding severe tooth stains that teeth whitening can’t remove (bonding is often used as an inexpensive alternative to porcelain veneers)
- Smoothing out pits on a tooth’s surface
How Does My Dentist Bond a Tooth?
Since bonding is non-invasive, most patients do not require any kind of numbing or sedation (although, as always, patients who feel anxious or fearful of the dentist can request dental sedation). Your dentist will mix up a small batch of dental resin that has been color-matched to your natural tooth color. He then cures the resin using a special UV light. Once hardened, he will gently shape and polish the bonding, so it looks exactly like your natural tooth enamel.
ABOUT YOUR FORT WORTH, TX DENTIST:
With over 25 years of professional experience, Dr. Steven M. Huffstutler and his caring team proudly provide exceptional preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental treatment to patients and their families across Dallas/Ft. Worth, including North Richland Hills, Denton, the Mid-cities, Southlake, and all surrounding communities. We also have extensive experience helping patients find relief from painful TMJ disorders (various forms of jaw dysfunction). To schedule an appointment with Dr. Huffstutler, contact his Fort Worth, TX office today by calling 817-918-3038.