You may look in the mirror and see a healthy set of teeth, but find yourself hung up over a smile you see as physically flawed. Some people have congenital issues that throw off their appearance. It could be a tooth that is of unusual size, or shape. You could also have a tooth – or teeth – affected by physical injury, or past issues with decay. Cosmetic bonding and contouring can improve on a tooth’s appearance. Matters of color, shape, and size can be addressed. This is one of multiple cosmetic dental procedures available – if you have questions on what to do to best improve your smile, speak with your dentist.
Dental bonding is a procedure that involves the application of composite resin to a tooth – if this material sounds familiar, it might be because it is also used for dental fillings. The material can hide small chips and cracks, cover up discoloration (including discoloration a whitening treatment fails to treat), and even cover a gap between teeth.
During a consultation with your dentist, you can explain what bothers you about your smile, and learn what options are available to tackle those issues. Different treatments provide different advantages. Dental bonding can cover up physical flaws in teeth, but so can porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers can bring longer-lasting results, as they are made from a more durable material. Veneers are also more stain-resistant. You may prefer dental bonding, as it can cost less, and typically only takes one visit (you will need to schedule two appointments to have veneers placed).