July 7th, 2010
When you have cosmetic issues with your teeth, either they are discoloured, chipped or uneven, there are many dental procedures that can restore their appearance. However, there is one treatment that stands out as being one of the most versatile and effective. Dental bonding involves using a composite resin to reshape, recoat and repair teeth that are cosmetically damaged. But it doesn’t end there. Bonding can also be used to fix veneers and crowns to damaged teeth, acting as an adhesive as well as providing an extra layer of protection.
The bonding process starts with the Central London dentist preparing the teeth. This involves cleaning them and making sure they are free from any debris. They will then apply an etching agent to the surface of the tooth to provide more grip. The resin will have already been mixed to closely match the colour of the existing teeth. The dentist then applies the resin and shapes into the desire position. When satisfied they can then use the heat of a dental laser to set the resin firm before buffing and polishing it to make it resemble tooth enamel.
Cosmetic bonding is very versatile and can be used for many different procedures and treatments. One of the most common is to cover areas of discolouration that are spoiling the appearance of the teeth. A thin layer is applied to the necessary area covering any stains and giving the teeth a more even white appearance. It can also be used to restore the appearance of chipped or broken teeth, filling cracks and rebuilding areas of enamel that may have been lost in an accident.
April 15th, 2010
Teeth can be damaged in many ways. Chips, cracks and breaks can occur as the result of sporting injury, motor vehicle accidents or from any other kind of head trauma. Broken teeth can be very painful and also expose the sensitive inside parts of the tooth to the risk of infection and disease. Teeth can also be damaged by dental decay and enamel erosion. This again leaves them vulnerable to attack from disease, which could eventually lead to tooth loss. When teeth are damaged in this way it is necessary to protect them from further injury and also to restore the cosmetic appearance.
One of the oldest and most effective ways of protecting teeth is to fit a dental crown over the top. A dental crown is a ceramic or metal and ceramic cap that is designed to fit over the damaged tooth, covering all parts of the tooth above the gum line to act as a barrier to further damage. A Central London dentist will first need to remove some of the existing enamel so that the crown can fit comfortably over the top. The crown, which will have been made in laboratory conditions to be the same size and shape as the original tooth, will then be cemented over the top using composite bonding.
Crowns are made from metal and ceramic as these are very versatile and strong materials. Ceramics such as porcelain also have a very similar appearance to tooth enamel, giving an improved aesthetic appearance. Once firmly in place the crown will perform all the functions of the original tooth.
Crowns are also used after certain dental surgeries and treatments to add a dimension of protection to the teeth. If dental decay has causes significant damage that a filling is not sufficient to protect the tooth, then a crown may be used to offer greater protection. Crowns are also used after root canal treatments to prevent further infection