The saying goes that admitting you have a problem is half the battle. But when it comes to improving your smile, knowing you have a problem is of little consequence, if you’re still struggling to determine the best course of cosmetic treatment. Understanding what options are available to you, and how each can address different cosmetic concerns, can help you determine the best way to improve your smile. If you have questions about cosmetic teeth bonding, and what it can do for you, we can help.
Will teeth bonding take a long time to complete?
Some cosmetic treatments, such as teeth bonding and contouring, can be completed in a single office visit, while others may take several months, from start to finish, to complete. Veneers and porcelain crowns, for instance, must be custom crafted based on the exact requirements of your smile. Therefore, after your initial consultation, you will have to wait while they’re being constructed. Once they are completed, you will then meet with your cosmetic dentist to have them affixed to your teeth. The time it takes to adequately whiten your teeth will be dependent on the level of staining and your sensitivity to the professional whitening products provided by your cosmetic dentist.
How Does Teeth Bonding Work?
When patients are embarrassed by disproportionately sized teeth, those that appear misshapen, jagged edges, permanent staining, and even minor gaps between the teeth, cosmetic dentists generally recommend two treatment options, either porcelain veneers or cosmetic bonding. While porcelain veneers are designed to create even longer-lasting results thanks to porcelain’s stain resistance and strength, cosmetic bonding offers a number of benefits all its own.
Some of the unique benefits of choosing cosmetic bonding include:
- Teeth bonding is one of the fastest cosmetic treatments available to hide dental imperfections. In fact, most dentists can complete bonding in an hour or two.
- That is because bonding is completed by sculpting a composite resin material onto the teeth, skillfully, in order to create a more symmetrical, brighter, and more beautiful smile.
- Teeth bonding can effectively address several cosmetic issues at once. Only veneers are another way to do that.
Will my smile look bad during treatment?
In most cases, your smile will not look worse during treatment. With professional whitening, for instance, your teeth will become whiter over time, leaving you with a slightly improved smile until the desired result is achieved. Teeth bonding is such a quick procedure, that you should leave the office on your first visit with a drastically enhanced smile. While waiting for a custom-made dental crown, your dentist can fit you with a temporary crown, if necessary. This can help improve your smile while you wait for your permanent restoration.
Can I combine treatment options to get my ideal smile?
Yes. Many patients find they can maximize the beauty of their natural smiles by combining cosmetic treatments. For instance, you may wish to have your teeth whitened before teeth bonding or having a porcelain veneer affixed to your one misshapen tooth. You could also have a beautiful porcelain crown used to cover a tooth that was once plagued by a bad cavity and choose to have dental bonding to address spacing between your front teeth.
Can deep teeth staining be fixed?
Yes. In most cases, your cosmetic dentist can quickly correct teeth stains through a professional whitening treatment that is able to lighten your teeth by several shades. Even if the stains are too deeply set for whitening, though, there are other ways to mask them. Teeth bonding or dental veneers are commonly used, when whitening alone cannot brighten a smile. Your cosmetic dentist can let you know which treatment is right for you, based on the degree of staining and your lifestyle (for instance, whether or not you are a smoker).
My gums are too prominent. Can anything be done?
Yes. Not everyone realizes there are ways to address what is known as a “gummy smile,” but there are cosmetic treatments available. A relatively simple “gum lift” can help to make your teeth-to-gum ratio more desirable, based on your own aesthetic goals. In some cases, veneers or porcelain crowns may also be used to correct the size and shape of your existing teeth, helping your gums appear less prominent.
I hate the gaps between my teeth. Are braces my only option?
No. For many patients, veneers or teeth bonding can cosmetically address minor alignment issues. Instead of undergoing expensive and time-consuming orthodontic treatment, you might be able to address spacing issues with a simple cosmetic treatment. If your alignment issues are purely aesthetic, bonding or veneers could be an ideal solution.
Learn more about cosmetic options such as teeth bonding
Aside from providing dependable general and restorative dentistry services to our community, Dr. James Fondriest also holds respected academic appointments at the Pankey Institute in Key Biscayne, FL, and the Spear Institute in Scottsdale, AZ He is a former adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Prosthodontics at the University of Florida Dental School. Dr. Fondriest combines his impressive array of experience with modern technology and caring, compassionate, knowledgeable staff, and we proudly serve patients from Chicago and surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at 847-234-0517.