Just because you damaged your tooth, doesn’t mean the repair will take between two and three visits. In fact, we often correct minor damage and address esthetic issues in just one sitting with dental bonding. In today’s blog, your Newhall, CA, dentist talks about how we repair and restore smiles with cosmetic treatment in a single visit, letting you go on your way quickly and conveniently!
The Importance of Repairing a Tooth
If a tooth becomes chipped or cracked, even if the damage appears quite minor, treatment is still crucial. Even minor damage could potentially expose the sensitive inner layers of dentin to harmful bacteria, allowing cavities and possibly even an infection to develop. By repairing the issue, this protects your smile’s health while also improving overall esthetics as well. Not only will bonding repair minor chip and cracks, but we can lengthen worn down teeth, reshape malformed or damaged teeth, close gaps between the teeth, and even mask permanent teeth stains, which would not otherwise respond to most teeth whitening treatments.
The Tooth Bonding Process
The process begins with a careful exam of your smile. We then remove any decay and thoroughly clean the tooth. We then prepare the bonding material, a metal-free blend of glass and acrylic known as composite resin. We also use this material in our tooth-colored fillings. We shade the material to match the color of surrounding teeth and apply it in several layers. Next, we sculpt the tooth as we cure it under a light. Finally, we polish the tooth for a more esthetically-pleasing appearance. The entire process only takes one sitting! We can also contour the teeth, buffing and sanding them to remove rough patches, pit and grooves, or overly sharp portions. We can often perform contouring in the same visit.
Protecting Your Smile
To limit the risk of damage, we suggest wearing a custom mouthguard when you play sports. We can help you create one, which will fit comfortably and reduces the risk of damage. These provide a more secure fit then most boil-and-bite options available at sporting goods stores. You can also help maintain good oral hygiene, which keeps your teeth strong and free of decay, as cavities could weaken them. Be sure you brush twice daily and floss before bed, and also see our team every six months for a checkup and cleaning. If you have any questions about protecting your smile or about repairing minor damage in one visit, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Tooth Bonding?
Repairing your tooth and offering lifelike results in just one visit is a very real possibility. To learn more about our cosmetic procedures and more, please schedule a consultation by calling Newhall Dental Arts in Newhall, CA, today at (661) 259-7760.