When looking in the mirror, can you detect small imperfections in your smile? Maybe a chip on the tooth, a slight gap, or uneven tooth edges? To modern cosmetic dentistry, wondrous answers exist for these concerns, with the two most popular nonsurgical treatments being cosmetic bonding and dental contouring. Although their goals are similar-to improve the aesthetic appeal of your smile-their means of achieving this end come from rather diametric opposites. Therefore, knowing these differences will allow you to make an informed decision regarding which option-or perhaps both-might best serve to help you achieve your ideal smile.
What Is Cosmetic Bonding?
Also known as dental bonding or composite bonding, cosmetic bonding is a process where a tooth-colored resin is applied to your teeth and then cured with a light to harden it. This permanently bonds the resin to the tooth restoring its appearance or enhancing it. The resin is made of a strong plastic mixed with fine glass particles; the resin can be sculpted and polished to look exactly like natural teeth, thus making the repair nearly undetectable.
Bonding is an extremely versatile procedure and is used to:
Fix Chipped or Cracked Teeth: Fills in minor chips and cracks effectively.
Close Small Gaps: Slightly widens the teeth to physically close very small spaces between them.
Change Shape or Length of Teeth: It alters the shape of a tooth or makes it look longer.
Cover Severe Discoloration: It acts as a covering for stains that cannot be removed with a standard whitening technique.
Protect and Cover Exposed Roots: Bonding can be used to cover root surfaces exposed as a result of gum recession, thereby reducing sensitivity.
The bonding process is really speedy and often very conveniently completed in a single visit, especially for one or two teeth. Usually painless, the process requires no or less removal of your natural tooth structure, hence making it more conservative than veneers or crowns.
What Is Dental Contouring?
Dental contouring, also called tooth reshaping or odontoplasty, involves the meticulous removal of small amounts of enamel to change tooth shape, length, or surface in a subtle way Think of it as sculpting the tooth. It is composed primarily of the front teeth, and is used to correct minor imperfections which require no material to be added.
Contouring can be used to:
Smooth Irregular Edges: Gets rid of rough or jagged edges on teeth.
Reduce Minor Overlaps: Thins the appearance of slight tooth overlaps just a little.
Affect Tooth Length: Shortens teeth that seem too long.
Improve Overall Tooth Shape: Refines the overall shape of a tooth for symmetry.
Because contouring removes enamel, it is a permanent alteration of the tooth structure. However, only the smallest amount of enamel is taken away, and the procedure is usually performed comfortably, sometimes even without needing local anesthesia, and is also very quick with one visit being all that is required.
Pivotal Differences and Similarities
While both procedures work towards the smile's aesthetic, the key approaches diverge:
Adding vs. Subtracting: Bonding adds to a tooth, whereas contouring takes away from a tooth. That is the most important distinction.
Reversibility: Contouring is irreversible as enamel is removed from the tooth. Bonding is usually reversible in that the composite can be taken off, although the tooth underneath might have been etched ever so slightly to enable the composite to adhere.
Capacity to Correct: Bonding hides behind larger problems and is there to add volume. Contouring gently smooths out fine issues.
Time & Cost: Both are usually quicker and less costly than further-reaching veneers and crowns.
Which One Is For You?
The best way to determine whether cosmetic bonding, dental contouring, or a combination of two is right for you in reaching your smile goals is to have an experienced cosmetic dentist. The health of your teeth relative to the nature of the imperfection and the results you expect will be evaluated by your consultant.
For instance:
- A small chip on the edge of a front tooth might be perfectly repaired with bonding.
- A slightly long or pointy canine tooth might benefit from contouring for a softer look.
- Teeth with both minor chips and uneven edges might benefit from a combination of bonding to add material where needed, and contouring to refine the overall shape.
In rare cases, after dental trauma, where there will be a much larger chip or fractured break, maybe something from an unexpected fall or an accident, you could very well be in need of urgent attention. Whereby the cosmetic will usually be planned, a serious injury could demand attention right away. In the event that this happened to you and you are now in need of urgent dental care, then the crucial first step in your treatment should be to contact a dental emergency Miami service to stabilize your tooth pre-cosmetic intervention.
If given the right boost of wisdom from your dentist, both cosmetic bonding and dental contouring can work wonders for any smile in need of a little make-up and a whole lot of charm.
