The Lipstick Party

Tooth bonding is a popular solution sought by those with one of a number of dental problems. Bonding recipients often have misaligned or chipped teeth, aesthetic abnormalities which make for a displeasing smile. While there are other ways to address such problems, such as through the use of braces or dental veneers, bonding often proves to be an inexpensive and quick fix in most situations.

Before a dentist begins the tooth bonding process, he or she must adequately prepare the patient’s existing teeth. To accomplish this, most dentists use an etching solution. This solution creates an optimal surface for the resin to adhere to. It essentially gives the teeth a bit of a coarser feel as to improve adhesion. Once the etching solution has completed its work, the actual veneer resin will be applied to the teeth. The dentist will apply the resin freely as to give him or herself sufficient leeway in sculpting the new teeth. A light will be used to help expedite the curing process.

When the composite resin has finally cured, the dentist can begin sculpting the teeth. The resin used in bonding procedures is nowhere near as hard to sculpt as natural tooth structure. Since it is softer and more flexible, the dentist can begin shaping it with ease. After the dentist has completed the more artistic aspect of the procedure, the patient can begin to enjoy his or her new smile. The entire procedure can generally be performed within a single dental appointment. Since no lab work is involved, the cost for tooth bonding is generally lower than that for veneers.

Although tooth bonding is an impressive procedure, it does come with its fair share of downfalls. For one, composite veneers don’t tend to last as much as their porcelain counterparts. They will need replacing or repair work far more often than porcelain veneers. Further, they are less stain-proof and look more artificial than porcelain veneers, which happen to be transparent. Many of the drawbacks are quite minor and should not deter you from seriously considering tooth bonding.

In contrast to tooth bonding, the dental veneer procedure requires more than a single dental visit. Veneers are manufactured in a laboratory as opposed to inside a dentist’s office. They can be fabricated out of porcelain (the more expensive variation) or a composite material. During the initial appointment, a patient’s teeth are assessed to determine their candidacy for the procedure. It everything checks out fine, a mold is then taken of the patient’s teeth to be sent to the lab. Thereafter, the teeth are prepared for the installation of veneers.

The nature of the preparatory work is a bit more complex than that of composite veneers. No etching solution is used. Rather, the dentist will use his/her drill to remove some tooth enamel and to reshape the existing tooth structure. Enamel removal will allow for good adhesion and the reshaping will accommodate the size of the veneer shells. Once the preparatory work is complete, temporaries will be installed on the patient’s teeth. You will have to wait for your veneers to return from the lab before you can attend your next appointment.

When the veneers arrive back from the laboratory, the dentist will perform a test fit. Adjustments will be made if required, and the veneers will finally be bonded to the patient’s teeth. The dentist will make any applicable recommendations to the patient, among them to avoid very hot or cold foods as tooth sensitivity may be an issue. Further, the patient will be cautioned against eating hard foods as to prevent mishaps. Regular dental checkups are strongly recommended to those who opt to be outfitted with veneers for the reshaped tooth structure could be susceptible to decay. However, those patients who attend their regular dental checkups and maintain good oral health tend to encounter few issues. Veneers tend to require little maintenance, and can generally last for ten years or more. As you can see, the initial investment seems meager considering their life longevity.