Jan. 24, 2007, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills - Dental bonding has increased in popularity as a way for your cosmetic dentist to sculpt a perfect smile.
Bonding uses a durable, composite resin to re-sculpt and restore decayed, chipped, discolored or broken teeth. Dental bonding also will close any minor gaps between your teeth and correct crooked teeth. Because the resin comes in a variety of shades, your dentist also can match it to your surrounding teeth.
Top cosmetic dentist Dr. Anthony Mobasser begins the dental bonding process by applying a mild etching solution to create tiny crevices on the surface of your tooth. This roughened surface more readily accepts the bonding material. To set the plastic, your doctor will expose it to minutes of high-intensity light. The resin then is ready for sculpting, followed by a fine polishing to create a tooth that's difficult to distinguish from your natural teeth.
Your new tooth should last seven to 11 years, as opposed to the seven-year lifespan of a silver filling.
There are two methods for application of the bonding material; one designed for minor corrections and the other for larger, more complex corrections.
The first process requires only one appointment and is primarily used to apply small fillings to your front teeth. This composite is less durable and, thus, isn't appropriate for large fillings. The advantage of this process is that it requires only one visit to your dentist.
On the other hand, two appointments are necessary to complete the second method as it requires the service of a dental lab to create a porcelain filling. Your dentist will take a mold of your teeth to serve as a guide for the lab in custom-fitting this more durable filling. During your second appointment, the dentist will bond the customized filling to your teeth to create a more natural, durable and stain resistant filling.
The primary advantage of tooth bonding is the final appearance is more aesthetically attractive, as opposed to silver fillings. In addition, silver doesn't adhere to teeth, so much healthy material must be removed to ensure a solid bonding, whereas composites require only the removal of decayed tooth. Composite bonding also expands as your natural teeth expand. As a result, they're less likely to cause cracks in your natural tooth.
Composites also provide more support because they bond directly to your tooth.
Cost is the primary disadvantage of dental bonding. The materials are costly and the process requires more of your dentist's time. Still, the advantages greatly outweigh the disadvantages.
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Call Dr. Mobasser today at 1.310.550.0383 or email us to schedule an appointment and learn more about dental bonding.
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