If a tooth becomes chipped, misshapen, or has an awkward gap, there is a simple and inexpensive solution. A dentist can often use a bonding technique the help make the tooth aesthetically appealing once again. Bonding in dentistry basically means that dental material and natural teeth are linked together. Bonding is painless and non invasive. It is often accomplished in just one visit to the dentist. It is simple; there are no molds to make and no temporary parts to worry about. Just one stop, in and out, and you are done.
There are a couple types of bonding methods. One type of bonding is used to link together one surface to another. This is most commonly used when another type of filling needs to be attached to a natural tooth. The bonding resin serves as a bridge between the two. The most common type of bonding is known as direct bonding. This allows the dentist to basically paint the bonding resin onto the tooth, filling in any flaws that may have been on the tooth. This is the technique used mostly for teeth that are chipped or cracked.
The bonding process is a relatively simple one. Fist, the tooth that is going to be bonded is isolated. This isolation is important because it ensures that no moisture will interfere with the bonding process. After the tooth has been isolated, it is hardened by undergoing an acid etching process. This just means that phosphoric acid is placed onto the tooth for about fifteen seconds. The acid is removed, and the bonding resin is applied. The dentist shapes the resin to the right fit, using a special light to help harden the resin. These steps are repeated several times until the tooth has acquired just the right look and shape.
Dental bonding is relatively cheap and it is painless. Side effects may occur because of bonding done inadequately. Bacteria may invade and further damage the bonded tooth. However, a dentist can fix this and effectively stop it from doing any further damage. Dental bonding is a good choice for people with chipped or cracked teeth because it is relatively cheap, it is non invasive, and anything that may go wrong can be righted by your San Diego Cosmetic Dentist.
Teeth become discolored over time because they are not naturally stain resistant. Many different things can discolor teeth, like: drinking dark colored beverages, smoking cigarettes, age, trauma, and grinding. There is good news though for people who have discolored teeth: they can be whitened, and fairly easily too. Your dentist can whiten your teeth in just one 45 minute long session. Or you can whiten your teeth with teeth whitening kits purchased at a grocery or drug store at home. Going to your dentist produces immediately results, but is very expensive. Whitening your teeth at home is less expensive, but results may take several weeks to be noticeably.
Going to your San Diego Cosmetic Dentist to whiten your teeth produces dramatic results in only about 45 minutes. When you go to get your teeth whitened, you and your dentist will consult a tooth shade chart. This chart is used to establish your current tooth shade and your goal shade. A protective guard is placed over your lips and gums to protect them from the whitening gel. Often, the dentist may apply gel to your teeth up to three times in one visit. A special lamp light is shined onto the gel to speed up the whitening process. The gel will stay on the teeth for up to twenty minutes. Teeth whitening procedures done by a dentist are more effective in a shorter amount of time than teeth whitening procedures done at home. However, you are certainly paying for the convenience.
At home teeth whitening procedures may take a week or so before results are noticeable. A gel is applied to the teeth and left there for 30 minutes to 60 minutes at a time, typically repeated twice a day for up to ten days. It is certainly not as fast as getting your teeth whitened by a dentist, but it is far less pricey. And though it is not fast, the results that do occur after a week or so are just as good as what you would have achieved by going to a dentist. At home procedures will need to be repeated every several months.
It is really just a matter of preference, and budge. Both ways will get your teeth white. One way is much more efficient, but far more expensive. The other way is slower, but more cost effective. If you have the money and just want a “one and done” deal, go to a dentist. If you are on a budget, buy an at home tooth whitening procedure kit. Both work just fine.