When you have a chipped tooth, or esthetic issues with the shape of the teeth, then teeth whitening may not be enough. In today’s blog, your Garland, TX, dentist will explain how we provide quality esthetic repair with dental bonding and contouring. We also look at other cosmetic benefits these treatments provide!
The Dangers of a Chipped Tooth
When a tooth is chipped or cracked, even if the damage appears quite minor, this could mean the inner layers of dentin are exposed to harmful oral bacteria. A cavity could then form that grows and spreads with time, eventually leading to a painful infection or abscess. As the discomfort increases, so does the risk of losing the tooth altogether. To avoid these complications, you should see us right away. First, rinse with warm water and then take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Any swelling can be addressed with a cold compress or ice pack to the side of the face, and you can stem bleeding with cloth or gauze. Then gather any pieces of the tooth you can find, if possible, and bring them with you to the office.
Dental Bonding and Contouring
Dental bonding means we clean the tooth, etch the surfaces, and apply several layers of composite resin, a metal-free material we shade to match the rest of your tooth. We shape the tooth as we cure the composite resin under a light. The final step is polishing the tooth, ensuring a more lifelike appearance. With one visit, we can repair chips and other breakage! With contouring, we don’t add material to the tooth. Instead, we gently sand and buff the outer structure to correct esthetic issues. For very minor chips, the kind that don’t expose tooth structure, we could use this procedure to reshape the surfaces and improve esthetics.
Other Cosmetic Benefits
Bonding could also be used to close gaps and black triangle spaces between teeth, lengthen worn down teeth, and even mask permanent teeth stains. Contouring could remove pits, grooves, and rough patches in the outer surfaces of the smile, and also dull sharp points or jagged edges. We could reshape overly large teeth or malformed ones as well! If you have any questions about the cosmetic benefits of dental bonding and contouring, or if you have a tooth that needs attention, then contact our team today to learn more.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT COSMETIC REPAIR?
With cosmetic dentistry we mask stains, repair damage, and complete other esthetic issues. To learn more about how our team offers improvement for our smile’s health and beauty, then schedule a consultation by calling Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX, today at 972-530-0552. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese.
