What happens when you chip a tooth? How do you correct esthetic issues with a tooth? In many cases a tooth can be restored with a simple one-visit procedure. Dental bonding and contouring are cosmetic procedures that can improve the appearance of the tooth. What’s the difference between the two? Which option will best improve your smile?
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding involves using the same material as a white filling to repair damaged teeth. First, the dentist cleans the tooth and gently etches the surface. The material will be shaded to better blend with the tooth and applied in several thin layers. As a curing light hardens the bonding material the dentist then sculpts and molds the tooth. The procedure may be used to fill in gaps between teeth, repair damaged teeth, or reshape malformed teeth. Patients can expect the entire treatment to be completed in a single visit.
Dental Contouring
Contouring takes an opposite approach. Instead of adding a material to the tooth, a very thin layer will be shaved away. We can use this option to remove pits or grooves in the tooth surface, or to address overly pointed or misshapen teeth. As with bonding, this only takes a single visit. In some cases, the two procedures will be performed in one visit to address multiple esthetic issues.
Other Restoration Options
What happens if the damage to your teeth is more serious? If you have a broken tooth or one suffering from esthetic problems that can’t be addressed with bonding and contouring alone then we may recommend a restoration. A dental crown fits over to tooth, reshaping it and protecting the remaining structure. A veneer is placed on the front of the tooth and completely alters the appearance of the tooth in as little as two visits.
ABOUT YOUR ASTORIA COSMETIC DENTIST
Our Astoria, NY dentist office accepts most major insurance plans. To find out if we accept yours, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, contact us at (718) 728-8320. We welcome patients living in and around Queens, Astoria, NYC, upstate New York, and New Jersey.
