Are you looking for a way to close a minor gap in your smile without a brace?
Here are 5 things you need to know about dental bonding to help you decide if it is the right treatment for restoring your smile.
It can correct crooked teeth (to an extent!)
Composite bonding Harley Street can be used by cosmetic dentists to conceal mild to moderate cases of misalignment.
By applying the composite to strategic parts of your smile, your dentist can improve the appearance of your teeth. But be aware that this is rarely the first option based on the availability of invisible aligners.
It can close gaps
Much in the same way that bonding can be used to correct mildly crooked teeth, it can also be used to close minor to moderate gaps.
This is because the composite can be placed on the tooth and then used to widen the tooth, filling any gaps and creating a seamless finish. If you have wider gaps, however, your dentist may decide to use orthodontic treatment to close them.
It is non-invasive
OK, so you may have heard somewhere online that to have your teeth bonded, a small amount of the enamel on the front of the tooth has to be sanded off. For veneers, this is true, for bonding, it is not.
There should be no sanding, drilling or anything done to the tooth or teeth that are being bonded, and the only drills that should be used will be chosen to file down and shape the composite. And so, there are no concerns about the enamel being removed, oral sensitivity or a gradual weakening of the tooth with the reapplication of the bonding.
It is a skill
There is a bit of an art when it comes to a dentist creating a cosmetically pleasing set of bonded teeth.
And this is why it is important to shop around when trying to find a dentist who can correct your smile using this technique. Unlike veneers that are created in a lab, bonding will often involve your dentist placing the composite onto your teeth, then smoothing and shaping it using a set of drills and files. This takes a great deal of additional training and familiarity with the procedure.
To find a suitable dentist to do this, you should look at reviews of practitioners and ask to see previous instances of their bonding processes in their portfolios.
It is affordable
When it comes to having coverings placed over teeth to improve their cosmetic appeal, many people think of dental veneers.
However, while veneers can whiten a smile and offer many of the same benefits that bonding does, they are on average more expensive. This is because veneers are created in a lab, which means a 3D scan or mould has to be sent away and the veneers have to be made to fit your teeth. Also, by sheer price comparison, porcelain is more expensive than composite.
As mentioned earlier, bonding can be performed in one sitting by the hand of a trained dentist, so all of the additional costs associated with veneers are removed.
For more information about dental bonding and whether it is suitable for you, please contact your dentist for a consultation.
