Cosmetic
/ Esthetic Dentistry
Cosmetic
dentistry is the name given to a group
of procedures that are performed to create a more
aesthetically pleasing smile.
A cosmetic dentist can whiten
teeth, replace missing teeth,
and repair chipped teeth through
a variety of cosmetic dentistry options, including
tooth bleaching, porcelain veneers, bonding, porcelain
crowns, and dental bridges, etc. |
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Bonding
Bonding is the application of a tooth-coloured
composite resin (plastic) to repair a decayed, chipped,
fractured or discoloured tooth. Unlike veneers, which
are manufactured in a laboratory and require a customized
mold to achieve a proper fit, bonding can be done in
a single visit. The procedure is called bonding because
the material bonds to the tooth.
Bonding is among the least expensive of
cosmetic dental procedures. The composite resin used
in bonding is sculpted, shaped, colored and polished
to match the surrounding teeth. Most often, bonding
is used for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance
of a discoloured or chipped tooth. It also can be used
to close spaces between teeth, to make teeth look longer
or to change the shape or color of teeth.
Sometimes, bonding also is used as a cosmetic
alternative to amalgam fillings, or to protect a portion
of the tooth's root that has been exposed when gums
recede.