A Penn State University study from about ten years ago concluded smiling makes you look good to others. In addition, when we smile we seem more likeable and people see us as competent. This study was mentioned in a Forbes article about the untapped power of smiling.
Statistically, almost 40 percent of all Americans unhappy with their smile think they would have a better social life with a better smile. Have you ever known anyone who covers their mouth when they laugh or refuses to smile because they are unhappy with the appearance of their teeth? Almost 60 percent of people, in general, feel that a person with a straight, attractive smile is more competent and successful.
What Is Teeth Bonding?
Bonding refers to a resin which is used to cosmetically repair the tooth, making it look as if there were no issue. It is a cosmetic dental procedure used for repairing cracked, chipped or broken teeth. It can also improve discolored teeth, mismatched length and gaps.
The resin color is similar to your natural tooth so it blends in and looks natural. It is important to do these repairs, not only for confidence, but also for your oral health. Bonding will prevent further damage, protecting your damaged tooth and the surrounding teeth.
Teeth bonding works best for minor injuries with little decay. If you have lost a tooth or have one that is severely damaged, a dental implant may be the favored option over bonding. Bonding also works best when you are happy with your teeth color. If you want to whiten your teeth, it needs to be done before bonding.
What Happens During The Bonding Appointment?
Your dental appointment for teeth bonding is usually completed in one visit and will not require anesthesia unless you’re having other work done. Numbing may be needed if the chip on your tooth is near a nerve and could be painful.
Sky Dental’s cosmetic dentist will choose the composite resin that matches your natural teeth. Next the surface of your tooth will be roughened a bit in order to apply the bonding agent. Then your dentist will shape the resin to repair your tooth. Finally, the bonding is dried with a UV light and can still be shaped after it has hardened.
The procedure is safe and if you happen to damage the resin, you can have it easily repaired. Overall, the composite resin breaks or chips less than veneers or crowns making it a long-lasting choice for brightening your smile.
Taking Care Of Bonded Teeth
Even though your tooth is repaired with teeth bonding, you need to take good care of it just as you do your natural teeth. There is nothing to replace good oral hygiene, brushing and flossing, to keep your teeth and gums healthy preventing decay and gum disease. To protect the bonding, avoid chewing on anything like ice cubes. Hard candies can damage the bond just as it can your natural teeth.
Resin is not as resistant to stains as your natural tooth enamel. It will discolor with a lot of coffee or wine drinking along with smoking. The resin cannot be whitened leaving only replacement or veneers if you want to get rid of stains.
It is important to remember that whitening your teeth is best done before you do any teeth bonding. While whitening won’t harm the resin, you will see a difference in color because the bond color will stay the same while your natural teeth enamel will whiten.
Contact Us
Your teeth are strong but not indestructible. Teeth bonding is a good method for repairing chips, cracks and gaps. It’s pain free, long-lasting, and done in one appointment. Contact us at Sky Dental today to set up an appointment so we can evaluate whether teeth bonding is the right cosmetic treatment for you. It is worth the investment to have confidence in your smile!