How Long Does Dental Bonding Last
Composite dental bonding richmond va is a great way to improve your smile without spending thousands of dollars on more invasive dental restorations. For optimal results, it is beneficial to have your teeth professionally cleaned and whitened before receiving dental bonding. The composite material can be tinted to match your natural teeth and is an easy way to make a small change in the appearance of your smile.
Dental Bonding
Dental composite bonding is a resin material that is tinted to match your natural tooth color and is applied onto the surface of the tooth. This is the same material that is used to fill a cavity after decay has been removed. Dental bonding can also be used to close a gap between teeth or repair a chipped tooth.
Your dentist will use an acid etching material to roughen the surface of the tooth and then apply the composite material and shape it to form. The composite is then cured with an ultraviolet light and refined and smoothed then polished to a natural finish.
Dental Veneers
Veneers are a thin facing placed onto the front of a tooth to restore damage or improve aesthetics. Veneers can be made from porcelain or composite material.
Composite veneers are less costly than porcelain and can usually be completed in one visit to your dentist! One benefit to composite veneers is they do not require the loss of any tooth structure and can be removed if needed.
Porcelain veneers are more expensive but they are the stronger and more durable option. Porcelain veneers have the ability to last up to 20 years whereas composite veneers may only last a couple of years before needing to be repaired or replaced, making porcelain the more cost effective choice in the long run.
To apply porcelain veneers, your dentist will prepare your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel which will allow room for the veneers to be placed. After the teeth are prepped, your dentist will take an impression to make a model to send to the dental lab where your veneers will be fabricated.
Porcelain veneers do require a second visit at which time your veneers will be set and refined.
How can I make composite bonding last?
Since composite is not as durable as porcelain, it is important to maintain them carefully. Your dentist will check your bonding at every routine hygiene appointment to make sure that they are intact and that there are no chips or rough areas, making repairs as needed.
Regardless of which type of veneer you choose, proper oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist will make sure that your investment lasts as long as possible. It is also beneficial for patients with dental restorations two be fitted for a night guard which can protect teeth and restorations from the negative effects of nightly bruxism (grinding and clenching).