Our last blog focused on our professional teeth whitening system, which we use to remove stains from the surface of our Woodland Hills, CA, patients’ smiles. However, what if you also have problems with shape of your tooth, or what if you have permanent discoloration that doesn’t respond to traditional teeth whitening? In these situations, your smile may benefit from cosmetic bonding and contouring.
Damaged Teeth
When a tooth becomes chipped, this could expose the inner layers of dentin, which are porous and sensitive, to harmful bacteria. Soon, a cavity could form that threatens the health and comfort of your smile. If you have a chipped tooth, you should see us right away and with dental bonding, we can often fix the problem in a single sitting. Dental bonding can also mask permanent teeth stains, also known as intrinsic discoloration, which forms below the tooth enamel instead of on the surface of the teeth. Since these stains may not respond to whitening treatments, masking them may be the best option. The procedure also helps reshape malformed teeth, lengthen worn down teeth, and close gaps between the teeth.
The treatment involves the dentist first cleaning the tooth, removing any decay, and then etching the surface. We then prepare the composite resin material, a blend of glass and acrylic that we also use in our tooth-colored dental fillings. We apply the material in several layers, and the etched portions help keep the material in place as the dentist sculpts and molds the tooth. A curing light will harden the composite reins, and we complete the procedure by polishing the tooth thoroughly. Since we can shade the composite resin, the bonding material actually blends with the color of the tooth.
The Contouring Process
In the same visit as your dental bonding treatment, we may also contour the tooth. Contouring again addresses problems with a tooth’s appearance, such as dulling overly-pointed teeth, smoothing out pits and grooves in the tooth surface, reshaping misshapen teeth, and even repairing very minor damage. However, instead of applying a material to the tooth, we gently reshape the tooth by buffing and sanding the tooth. The contouring procedure only takes one visit to complete. If you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry, or if you would like to schedule a cosmetic consultation, then please contact our team today. We would love to help you enjoy an attractive new smile!
Does Your Smile Need Cosmetic Improvements?
Your cosmetic dentist can improve the beauty of your smile, sometimes in a single visit. For more information on improving oral health, then please schedule a consultation by calling Woodland Hills Dental Arts in Woodland Hills, CA today at 818-347-5124. We also proudly welcome patients from Thousand Oaks, Westlake, and all surrounding communities.