If your teeth are chipped, misshapen, or awkwardly spaced, there is a reasonably priced solution. This solution is known as bonding. Bonding is when dental materials and natural teeth are linked together as one. Bonding is a non invasive process, and is accomplished in one visit to the dentist. There are no molds to make, no temporary replacements, and no waiting months in between steps of the procedure. And, as stated before, it is reasonably priced.
There are a couple different types bonding methods. The first type of bonding is used to link together one surface to another. This is done when some other type of filling needs to be attached to a natural tooth. The most common type of bonding is known as direct bonding. Direct bonding allows the dentist to mold the bonding resin onto the natural tooth, to change its shape and to cover any flaws. Direct bonding is used for the chipped and cracked teeth.
The bonding process is actually a simple one. It is typically accomplished in one office visit. The first step in the process is isolating the tooth. This ensures that moisture will not interfere with the bonding process. The isolated tooth then must undergo an etching process. This hardens the tooth by applying phosphoric acid to it for roughly fifteen seconds. The acid is removed, and the bonding resin is applied. The dentist shapes the resin into the right form, and uses a special light to help harden the resin. This is repeated, the application and shaping of the resin, several times until the right shape is achieved.
Bonding is a good choice for people with cracked or chipped teeth. It is inexpensive and non invasive. Side effects can occur if the bonding is done inadequately. Severe tooth sensitivity can occur. And bacteria can invade and further damage the bonded tooth. However, the Atlanta Cosmetic Dentist can fix these problems. So, bonding is a good choice because it is not a bank breaker, it is non invasive, and anything that may go wrong can be fixed by a dentist.
Teeth become discolored over time because they are not naturally stain resistant. Drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes, age, trauma, and grinding can all cause teeth discoloration. There is good news, however. Your dentist can whiten your teeth, or you can go to your local grocery or drug store and by an in home tooth whitening treatment. At home procedures may take a week or two to take effect, whereas going to the Atlanta Cosmetic dentist has an immediate effect.
At the office dental whitening procedures takes only about 45 minutes. It is normal for gel to be applied at three different times during one session. At the dentist’s office, he or she will use a tooth shade chart to figure out your current tooth shade and what your goal shade is. A protective guard is placed in your mouth to protect your lips and gums from the whitening gel. A special lamp is used on the gel to speed up the whitening process. The gel will stay on your teeth for around twenty minutes that time. Getting your teeth whitened at the dentist’s office provides the fastest results in the shortest amount of time. However, you are paying for the speed.
This brings us to at home teeth whitening procedures. At home procedures make take several weeks to take effect. The gel is applied onto the teeth for a designated amount of time – a half an hour to an hour, up to twice a day for five to ten to fourteen days. It is not as quick as getting your teeth whitened by a dentist, but it is far less costly. At home procedures will eventually have the same results as when the teeth are whitened by a dentist, though at home procedures will need to be repeated every couple of months.
Whether you go to the dentist or stay at home, how you whiten your teeth is truly a matter of preference. They both lead to basically the same result, though one way is much faster and more expensive than the other. If you have the money, and you want a “one and done” teeth whitening experience, go to the dentist. If you cannot afford it, at home procedures work just as well as going to the dentist, though it can take a while before you see the results.