All About Cosmetic Dentistry – Part 2

We’re continuing our series on the subject of cosmetic dentistry. The previous post on the topic is here.

Bonding

Dental bonding uses a strong plastic resin material that is constructed to fix issues such as chips or cracks, exposed roots, cavities, gap teeth, and any other aesthetic purposes. After the material has been matched to the color of the person’s teeth, the dental practitioner might apply a conditioning liquid on the teeth that are being repaired. Next, the resin is fixed to the teeth and modeled to fashion the preferred appearance. A hardening light is used on the resin, and then it is trimmed and polished to make the resin flush with the original tooth.

Bonding is a rather basic process that typically takes around thirty to sixty minutes to complete. Furthermore, dissimilar to veneers and crowns, the bonding material will not need to be sent to dental laboratories, allowing it to be a less expensive cosmetic dental method for patients. Sadly, the bonding ingredient isn’t as strong as crowns or veneers, and the person must be cautious as the bonding component might crack and become damaged.

Inlays & Onlays

Possible alternatives to dental crowns are onlays and inlays, which are a kind of filling. Also called indirect fillings, onlays and inlays are created for teeth with damage or decay, and they are typically created from porcelain, composite materials, or even gold. The American Dental Association states that gold inlays are the most long-lasting (and expensive) kind of filling. Gold inlays can last over 20 years with proper dental hygiene.

A dental inlay is an indirect dental filling which is constructed to fill the dips in the middle of the tooth. After the area has been numbed, the dentist eliminates the tooth decay. Akin to crowns and veneers, he or she will then construct an impression of the tooth and send it off to a dental laboratory where the inlay will be manufactured. Often, the inlays will be made from composite resin or porcelain and will fit the shape of the person’s real teeth.

If the damage to a tooth is on the tip, an onlay could be chosen to solve the problem. The procedure for an onlay is practically identical to the one for an inlay. The cleans the affected part of the tooth and crafts a mold that is shipped out to the lab. Following that, the tooth is matched with an interim onlay until the permanent one arrives.

Keep an eye out for part three of our blog series on cosmetic dentistry. While you wait, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Levine by clicking here, and be sure to follow us on social media.

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