If you have a chipped, slightly misaligned, or otherwise imperfect tooth that needs cosmetic restoration, we may suggest one-appointment
bonding. The dentist can apply putty-like composite resin, shaded to blend with your tooth's color, to rebuild a pleasing shape to your tooth. After hardening the resin with a curing light, the dentist will artistically sculpt and polish the restoration. In just one visit, you can enjoy a beautiful new smile!
Cosmetic bonding
can be a viable, affordable alternative to porcelain veneers, but it lasts only 5 to 10 years with proper care. Bonding will not discolor as your natural tooth enamel will, so touch-up teeth whitening may be required to keep your natural teeth the same shade as the bonded area.
If you're embarrassed about your smile because of decay or dark fillings in your teeth, you may be a good candidate for
composite resins. A silicon dioxide-filled, tooth-colored plastic mixture, composite resins can restore teeth to an attractive, healthy state. Composite resins represent several advantages over traditional silver or amalgam fillings.
Because
composite resins
are not made of metal, we can blend and mix shades to find the perfect color to match your natural teeth. This means only you and your dentist will know you have fillings. Another pro is that the tooth/composite
bond
actually supports the remaining tooth structure, deterring breakage and insulating against temperature changes. Medium and small composites can last seven to ten years - that's as long as the tried and true amalgams. Best of all, composite resins allow us to keep more of your natural tooth structure intact than amalgams. We believe in conservative dentistry - the more natural tooth structure you keep, the better teeth you'll likely have in the future.
Some patients experience mild and temporary post-placement sensitivity from
composite resin fillings. The only caution we usually mention is that coffee, tea, and other staining foods and beverages may discolor your
composites.