Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing MI
Your smile can communicate the light inside you and brings yourself and others joy. However, when your smile is less than perfect, you may become self-conscious, reduce how much you smile, or hide your mouth when speaking, laughing, or smiling. Cosmetic dentistry can restore your smile and your self-confidence. Our Okemos cosmetic dentist, Dr. Christine Tenaglia of Tenaglia Smiles, shares on the blog today how cosmetic bonding may be the answer to your smile needs.
What is cosmetic bonding?
Cosmetic bonding is an inexpensive and alternative method for treating chipped, discolored, or gapped teeth. In a single office visit, you can have a durable and aesthetically-pleasing smile. Cosmetic bonding uses a tooth-colored resin material to fill, strengthen, and reshape your teeth. Although cosmetic bonding is a popular treatment for smile restoration, our Lansing cosmetic dentist explains that it may not be the best treatment for everyone.
What is the cosmetic bonding treatment process?
Before starting the cosmetic bonding treatment process, patients undergo a thorough examination by Dr. Tenaglia at her Okemos dental office. After the exam, the tooth is prepared with a liquid that helps the resin adhere. Then, a color-matched cosmetic bonding material is applied, and Dr. Tenaglia shapes it to match the surrounding teeth. Next, we harden the resin with a special curing light and make any final adjustments needed. Finally, we polish the tooth’s surface to match the sheen of your surrounding teeth. Although most patients can receive treatment during one office visit without anesthesia, more complex patients may require additional visits.
What are some composite bonding advantages?
Cosmetic bonding advantages stretch beyond your oral health condition, according to our cosmetic dentist in East Lansing. With its simplicity and ease of application, cosmetic bonding usually requires one dental visit, so you can have a new smile in a short visit. Additionally, composite bonding is less expensive than other treatments, such as porcelain veneers which can be costly and take longer to complete. Finally, composite bonding helps maintain more of your natural tooth structure.
What are some composite bonding disadvantages?
Even though cosmetic bonding has several benefits, there are also treatment drawbacks. Unfortunately, cosmetic bonding is not the best treatment choice to cover large areas, extensive damage, or wide gaps as it can look fake. In addition, even though composite bonding could last up to a decade or longer with excellent care, daily habits of biting your fingernails or chewing on a pen could weaken the material and cause needed repairs. Finally, our Okemos cosmetic dentist explains that bonding is not as stain-resistant as other treatments. Therefore, diligent beverage choices and outstanding oral health care are necessary to keep your smile bright.
Cosmetic Dentist in Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI
Cosmetic bonding is an inexpensive way to treat aesthetic concerns and seamlessly repair your smile without breaking the bank. If you have an uneven front tooth in Lansing or need a chipped tooth repaired in Okemos, cosmetic bonding may be right for you. To find out if cosmetic bonding is the best choice to restore your smile, feel free to schedule a consultation with Dr. Christine Tenaglia, a leading cosmetic dentist in Lansing. Call Tenaglia Smiles at (517) 347-6733 or schedule an appointment online to restore your smile today!