Tooth Bonding: What is it?

When teeth are misshapen, chipped, cracked or awkwardly gapped, a dentist will often use bonding techniques to help fix the teeth. “Bonding techniques” in dentistry simply means that dental material and natural teeth will be linked together as one. Bonding is painless and non invasive. It is simple, and often accomplished in just one visit to the dentist. There is relatively no fuss; there are no molds to be made and no temporary parts to place. Just one visit, you are in, you are out, and you are done. And, dental bonding is relatively inexpensive.

There are several different bonding methods. One method is used to link one surface to another. This is used when another type of filling needs to be attached to a natural tooth. The bonding serves as the bridge between the two. The most common type of bonding is direct bonding. This method allows the dentist to paint the bonding resin right onto the natural tooth, to cover any flaws. Direct bonding is used for the chipped and cracked teeth.

The bonding process is a simple process. First, the tooth is isolated. This isolation is important because it ensures that moisture will not interfere with the bonding process. The isolated tooth that undergoes a hardening process called acid etching. Phosphoric acid is placed onto the tooth for fifteen seconds. The acid is removed, and then the bonding resin is applied. The dentist will shape the resin until it is in just the right form. The dentist uses a special light to help harden the resin. This process is repeated several times until the tooth has achieved just the right shape.

Bonding is a good choice for people with chipped or cracked teeth because it is simple, non invasive, and inexpensive. Side effects can occur, like: bacteria can invade and further damage the bonded tooth. However, a dentist can fix that side effect. So not only is bonding a good choice because of its simplicity, ease, and relative cheapness, any problem can be fixed by your Maryland Cosmetic Dentist.

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth are porous and they are not naturally stain resistant. They become discolored. A myriad of things can discolor stain teeth, such as: age, teeth grinding, eating, drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes or trauma. However, teeth that are stained and/or discolored can be whitened. The dentist can whiten your teeth in one procedure that takes about 45 minutes. Or, you can go to your local grocery or drug store and purchase an at home whitening procedure, and whiten your teeth from home.  Granted, whitening your teeth at home means that it might be several weeks before you notice a significant difference. But doing it at home is far less costly.

At the office dental whitening procedures will only typically take around 45 minutes. The first thing you do when you go into the office to get your teeth whitened is consult a tooth shade chart. You and your dentist use this chart to figure out your current tooth shade and your goal shade. A protective guard is placed over your gums and lips to protect them from the whitening gel. The gel will stay on your teeth for about twenty minutes. It is normal for the dentist to apply gel onto your teeth three different times in one teeth whitening session. A special light is used on the gel to speed up the whitening process. The procedure done by a dentist is far more effective in a shorter amount of time than anything that can be done at home. However, you are certainly paying for the convenience of a “one and done” teeth whitening procedure.

At home teeth whitening procedures may take several weeks before the results are noticeable. The gel is put onto the teeth for a designated amount of time, anywhere between a half an hour to an hour. The gel might need to be applied up to twice daily for up to ten days. It is far less costly then going to the dentist, and though it takes a while to take effect, when it does take effect your teeth will look just as good as someone who has visited a dentist. However, home teeth whitening procedures need to be repeated every couple of months.

It is a choice: will you pay for the convenience, or are you on a budget? Getting your teeth whitened at the Maryland Cosmetic Dentist is far more faster than doing it yourself at home, but it also more expensive. The bottom line is: if you can afford the money but not the time, go to the dentist. If you have more time than money, do it yourself. You’ll find either way is a good investment.

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