Could your smile benefit from a makeover? Bonding and contouring, cosmetic dentistry treatments offered by your dentist in Mill Creek, WA, Dr. Roger Flake, will help you improve your appearance.
How bonding and contouring can help your smile
Most of us experience issues with the appearance of our smiles at some point. Injuries, wear and tear, or grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep can cause chips or shallow cracks in teeth. Oddly shaped teeth, discolorations, or gaps between teeth may also make you feel self-conscious about your smile. Fortunately, bonding and contouring can improve or hide many types of cosmetic problems simply and inexpensively.
What is bonding?
During your visit to Mill Creek, WA, your cosmetic dentist may recommend bonding if you want to:
- Fill in a slight gap between teeth
- Cover a crack or a discoloration
- Change the shape of a tooth
- Repair a chip or a small break in a tooth
- Hide flaws, like uneven tooth surfaces or pits in your enamel
- Lengthen teeth that have shortened due to wear and tear or grinding your teeth
Bonding involves adding small amounts of a flexible material called composite resin to your teeth. After your dentist shapes the tooth-colored composite resin, it's hardened with curing light. Hardening the material bonds it to your tooth enamel.
What is contouring?
Contouring changes the shape or length of a tooth by using a laser or dental drill to remove tiny amounts of enamel. Because very small amounts of enamel are removed, you won't need any anesthesia for this treatment.
Contouring can be a good option if you want to:
- Remove points at the ends of teeth
- Get rid of overlapping tooth edges
- Smooth chips
- Reduce the size of a tooth that's slightly longer than nearby teeth
- Treat minor bite problems due to shifting teeth (More severe bite problems may require orthodontic treatment.)
Bonding and contouring are often used together and help your smile look more uniform and attractive. The treatments usually only require one dental visit and can significantly improve the way your teeth look.
Enhance your smile with cosmetic dentistry! Call 425-338-2966 to schedule an appointment with your Mill Creek, WA, dentist, Dr. Flake.
