Your smile is one of the essential factors of your self-confidence. It is a critical factor in body language and nonverbal communication among people. However, there are situations that can ruin it. When something is wrong with your smile, like a chipped tooth, you will feel self-conscious whenever you smile.

One of the most common causes of a ruined smile is a chipped tooth. Your teeth are made of an incredibly strong material, enamel. It is the toughest naturally occurring material in your body. Despite this, you can still chip your teeth, leaving your smile imperfect. What do you do when such a situation arises? A short answer is dental bonding.

What Is Dental Bonding?

It is a procedure in cosmetic dentistry that utilizes a composite material, usually made of resin, to enhance your smile. It can work for different dental situations requiring adjustments, like chipped teeth. Unlike most cosmetic procedures, it is entirely reversible, making it ideal. The composite material is created to match your tooth color and look completely natural.

When Is It Necessary?

As mentioned above, dental bonding is a versatile procedure that can help enhance your smile. It may be necessary when you have or need to do the following:

• Broken tooth

• Chipped teeth

• Gaps in your teeth

• Discolored teeth

• Lengthen your teeth

• Reshape your teeth

The composite resin material also works for other procedures, like replacing silver teeth for more natural-looking solutions. It is also used for filling in cavities and protecting tooth roots exposed by periodontal disease.

What Happens in a Dental Bonding Procedure?

• Preparation

First, the dentist will discuss your goal with the cosmetic procedure. After establishing your desired result, they will take X-rays to evaluate your oral health. They will check your gum and tooth health before proceeding. If you have any oral health issues, they will have to fix that first.

• The Shade

After ensuring you are a good candidate, the dentist will select a shade. They will use your natural tooth color to ensure that the composite looks like your natural teeth. A shade guide will help the dentist select the right color.

• Tooth Prep

Next, the dentist will work on prepping your tooth for the material. They will roughen up your tooth surface with some tools. Then they will apply a conditioning fluid to the roughened-up tooth. It is necessary to prep the tooth so the resin material can stick better.

• Applying the Material

After applying the conditioning liquid, the dentist will apply the resin material. It looks and feels like putty, and it can also be modeled in the same way. The dentist shapes and smoothens it to the right shape.

• Curing

After giving it the proper shape, the dentist proceeds to cure the resin. They will use a special light that allows the composite to bond to your tooth and harden.

• Polishing

When the composite resin hardens, the dentist will make final adjustments to the shape. Then they will polish the material until it shines like your natural teeth.

For more on when dental bonding is necessary, visit Dr. Sam's Premier Dentistry at our office in Sherman, Texas. Call (903) 708-6400 to book an appointment today.