Dental Bonding for a Beautiful New Smile

Cosmetic Dentistry has certainly changed over the years, and thanks to a procedure known as Dental Bonding, you can have a new smile in as little as one dental appointment.

According to Colgate, Dental Bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that involves the application of a composite tooth colored resin to repair chipped, discolored, decayed, or fractured teeth. Dental Bonding can even be used to close that unsightly gap between your two front teeth.

Dental Bonding is easy and inexpensive and can also be used to replace silver amalgam fillings and older dental restorations that have discolored over the years. Dental Bonding is also a wonderful way to brighten teeth that have stains that will not budge with tooth whitening products.

People who have had to deal with gum recession can also benefit from Dental Bonding as it can be used to protect the portion of the root that has receded from the gum line.

Unless you are having a filling replaced or acavity filled with Dental Bonding material there is no need for shots or anesthetic.

During your initial exam, your dentist will determine if you are a good candidate for Dental Bonding. If your teeth and gums are in good shape, an appointment will be scheduled for Dental Bonding.

During the Dental Bonding procedure, your dentist will first choose a composite resin color from a shade guide that best matches your natural teeth. Once the color has been chosen, your dentist will abrade or etch the surface of the tooth that is to be bonded in order to roughen it. After etching, a conditioning liquid will be applied to adhere the bonding material to the tooth.

Once the tooth has been prepared, your dentist, much like a sculptor, will apply the putty like plastic resin in order to smooth and mold it into shape. Once satisfied, your dentist will hard the resin with a laser or ultraviolet light. After the resin has hardened, your dentist will further shape and trim before polishing the tooth to match the rest of the surface of the tooth.

Dental Bonding takes between 30 and 60 minutes per tooth and may require additional dental appointments if more than one tooth is being bonded.

If you would like more information, schedule an appointment with your dentist who will be able to determine if you are a good candidate for Dental Bonding. 

Do You Really Want to Get Your Tongue Pierced?

These days oral piercing is considered trendy, and if you or someone you know has been thinking about lip, tongue, uvula, yes that tissue that calls the back of your throat home, or cheek piercing, your dentist has some information that he would like to share that just may change your mind.

According to the American Dental Association, oral piercing not only causes infections, but could also be to blame for infectious diseases such as Herpes Simplex and Hepatitis. Oral Piercings could also cause permanent nerve damage, problems with your heart, excessive bleeding, and gum disease.

Because your mouth is moist, it is home to millions of bacteria. That bacterium is the perfect place for an infection. Infections can quickly spread and could become a threat to your life if not treated immediately.

Your dentist has seen his fair share of oral piercings gone wrong including tongue swelling so bad that it meant a trip to the hospital. Swelling is normal, but if it blocks the passageways, you may not be able to breathe.

People who wear tongue, lip, and uvula or cheek jewelry have a habit of playing or biting down on the barbells, posts, or rings. Doing so can injure your gums. If this occurs, your gums could recede leading to eventual tooth loss. Playing with your mouth jewelry could also crack dental restorations such as crowns, fillings, and caps not to mention breaking or damaging healthy teeth.

If you are sensitive to metals, you will find out quickly if you wear mouth jewelry. Allergic reactions can also occur at the site of the piercing itself.

An increase in the production of your saliva is a real possibility following oral piercings. In fact, you may notice that you are drooling uncontrollably, and when you think about it, who wants to do that?

After an oral piercing your dentist will tell you that numbness is normal, but according to your dentist, that numb feeling could become permanent, especially if you had your tongue pierced by someone who damaged the tiny nerves. This will affect your sense of taste and how your mouth moves when you speak.

Undetected heart problems could suddenly become a real issue if you have had your cheek, lip, uvula, or tongue pierced. Your heart and your heart valves could become infected with a disease known as Endocarditis if a bacterium hits your bloodstream.

If you would like more information regarding oral piercings, schedule an appointment with your dentist who just may be able to convince you that ear piercing is a much safer alternative.