Cosmetic Bonding Explained: How It Fixes Chips, Cracks, and Gaps

A good smile is the doorway to selflove. However, even a small flaw such as a chip, crack, or gap  may leave you self-conscious whenever you speak or laugh.

Such types of dental issues are a cosmetic problem, which is easy to correct using cosmetic bonding. It is a fast procedure and one can get results within a visit. Thus, it is quite popular with the patients seeking cheap dental services.

The following guide contains the details about cosmetic bonding:

What Is Cosmetic Bonding?

In  cosmetic bonding, a dentist in Sutton applies a resin of the same colour to a tooth and sculpt it to fix flaws. The resin mixes in with your enamel so well that it is hardly noticeable and looks exactly similar to a natural tooth.

The resin “bonds” to the tooth when the dentists apply a special curing light. The process removes very little enamel and therefore, it is the one of the most popular dental cosmetic processes.

The process

The bonding process usually includes the following

●      Colour Matching

Each tooth is examined and a resin color is chosen to match or improve the patient’s natural tooth colour. 

●      Surface Preparation

The tooth is lightly etched to create a textured surface.

●      Application of bonding formula

The composite resin is applied, molded and formed. 

●      Curing

A blue light is used to cure the material in seconds. 

●      Polishing

The final step of polishing smoothens the surface and  blends  the bonded area with the surrounding teeth. 

Anaesthesia is not required during a bonding procedure unless you have a cavity. The procedure is quick and can improve aesthetics drastically with minimal efforts.

How Cosmetic Bonding Works with Chipped Teeth 

A chipped tooth is a very common dental condition which is caused due to biting hard foods, a fall, sports activities, or grinding teeth. Small chips might not pose a problem to oral health, but it can cause aesthetic issues. Alongside, it has sharp edges that cause tongue or cheek irritations. 

Cosmetic bonding is perfect for the repair of minor to moderate chips for these reasons: 

  • Cosmetic bonding restores original shape. The dentist shapes the form to restore the lost sections of the teeth.
  • The resin layer adds strength to the chipped area, thus avoiding further deterioration. 
  • The process requires minimal preparation. The tooth is simply cleaned, etched and built-up with resin. 
  • The entire process takes only  20-40 minutes.

Repairing Cracked Teeth Through Bonding 

Cracks can be caused by trauma, grinding, age, or sudden change in temperature. Visible cracks can impact aesthetics and cause teeth decay. Composite bonding helps to fix the cracked teeth by: 

●      Sealing the Crack

Resin seals the crack area preventing the bacteria from entering and causing further damage. 

●      Reinforcement Strength

Although it is not as strong as a crown, bonding can strengthen the tooth especially for small or shallow cracks. 

●      Improving Appearance

Resin has the ability to cover dark lines for the purposes of creating the bonded surface that is uniform. 

●      Best for Light Cracks

In the case of enamel only cracks bonding is ideal. Deeper cracks may need a crown restoration

A dentist determines the extent of a crack before recommending the use of bonding. If done correctly, the bonding is an aesthetic way to fill chipped teeth at affordable rates.

Closing Gaps Between Teeth

In medical terms, teeth gaps are spaces between two teeth, which do not touch. Their location normally lies opposite to the upper front teeth.

Many individuals have missing teeth as the genes dictate particular size of a jaw and it is not always  proportional to the tooth size. Cosmetic bonding closes gaps by: 

  • Increased or reduced wear on the sides of the teeth via the addition of resin. 
  • They help to carefully shape one or both of the teeth to eliminate the gap, while leaving the shape of the natural tooth. 
  • No orthodontics is needed for small to moderate gaps.
  • A good bonding does not look bulky or false. The method is painless as compared to orthodontic therapy.

Advantages of Cosmetic Bonding

Cosmetic bonding is the most popular treatment because of the quick results, affordability and painless nature. The benefits ofcosmetic bonding are as follows:

  • Cosmetic bonding is quick and convenient. It  gives you impressive results at a fraction of the cost.
  • It is minimally invasive and maintains long term health of teeth.
  • The process offers a natural appearance as the  stains of resin blend with the natural enamel. 
  • It offers versatile treatments including chips, cracks and stains, gaps, and irregular shapes. 
  • The comfortable procedure is comfortable and anaesthesia is mostly not required. 

Limitations to Consider

The skill of the dentist determines the end result in terms of look and durability. Understanding these limits help to decide whether or not bonding is the right solution or you need other alternative treatments. The limitations are as follows:

  • Cosmetic composite bonding is less durable and the resin  will chip or stain over time. 
  • Longevity depends on care. The bonding normally lasts 3 – 7 years
  • The process is not good for serious damage.
  •  Large cracks, fractures or deep decay may require crowns or other restorations. 
  • The teeth can be easily discoloured as coffee, tobacco, wine and spices will stain the resin. 

 Conclusion

Cosmetic bonding is one of the easiest and effective treatments for chips, cracks and gaps. It has a minimally invasive nature and is affordable. Alongside, it has the ability to deliver immediate results. Whether you have got a tiny chip or a crack that is noticeable or a gap, cosmetic bonding provides the easy solution to achieve a confident

Share the Post:

Related Posts

Book Appointment