East Amherst Dental Bonding | The Ivory Dental Co.

What Is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding uses tooth-colored dental resin to reshape and restore your teeth. In this process, Dr. Sweeney will clean your tooth, roughen it up with a special acid, and then apply the bonding material directly to the tooth. Using UV light and special instruments, she will sculpt and shape the tooth to improve its appearance.

Dental bonding can cover up stained teeth, fill in gaps between the teeth, restore uneven or misshapen teeth, and much more. It’s also relatively inexpensive compared to treatments like veneers, often requires no drilling, and can be done in just one appointment.

How Long Will a Bonded Tooth Last?

This depends on how well you care for your smile. The average lifespan of bonding is 5-8 years, but if you maintain good oral health and avoid habits that can damage your bonded tooth, it may last much longer.
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So make sure you brush and floss regularly after treatment and see Dr. Sweeney for six-month checkups. Also, don’t do things like chew hard foods or bite non-food objects like pencils or erasers with your bonded teeth. You also should not use them to tear tape, open packages, or for other such purposes. Doing these things could shorten their lifespan and damage them prematurely.

Why Are My Teeth Chipping?

Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding (bruxism) involves uncontrollably gnashing and clenching your teeth together, usually at night when you sleep. This can wear down your enamel and cause your teeth to chip or crack. Botox therapy or a night guard from The Ivory Dental Co. can be used to protect and cushion your teeth and prevent this from happening.

Weak Enamel Or Tooth Decay

If you have weak enamel or untreated tooth decay, this can cause chips and damage to your teeth, and other long-term oral health issues like tooth infections. Come see us right away if you think you may have decayed teeth or weak enamel.

Biting Hard Food

Biting hard food, particularly with front teeth, can cause them to crack. To avoid this, don’t chew ice, bite popcorn kernels, or bite any other very hard food with your front teeth. Use your back molars instead. Your molars are a lot stronger and have more surface area, so they can handle the pressure of chewing and biting hard objects.

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What If the Damage Is Too Severe for Bonding?

Dental bonding is often used for small chips, but may not be appropriate for all situations. Veneers or crowns are often a good alternative for more severe chips or damage.

Veneers

Veneers may be used if the chip is cosmetic, but is not large enough to require a crown. Veneers are thin “shells” of tooth-colored ceramic material that cover up the front surface of the tooth and are more durable and long-lasting compared to bonding.

Dental Crowns

A crown may be needed if the tooth is deeply cracked or broken, and a root canal may also be necessary to clean out the tooth. Crowns cover up the entire tooth all the way down to your gum line, and they provide superior protection for damaged teeth. Call us today to learn more!

Dental Bonding in East Amherst, NY