Porcelain veneers have been one of the most common fixes for any dental cosmetic flaws for many years. They are thin shells of porcelain that are placed on the front of the teeth and help to change the shape and appearance of the teeth. Veneers help to cover staining or even to hide chipped or broken teeth.
Although they are quite popular, having porcelain veneers can be tricky. One of the biggest issues with them is that placing a porcelain veneer over a tooth means that a patient may have to sacrifice a part of that otherwise healthy tooth. This is a normal procedure done to accommodate the veneer. In addition, although popular, porcelain veneers can be costly.
There is no doubt that porcelain veneers can be the best solution for solving cosmetic issues with your teeth. Lately, however, resin bonding has also become a solution for cosmetic dental problems. Resin bonding uses a flowable composite that is shaped by a clear mylar form wrapped around the tooth. This composite flows to the shape of the form and takes care of any chipped, broken, or misshaped part of your tooth, making it look well-shaped.
Resin bonding can be regarded as a good alternative to porcelain veneers and here are the top reasons why:
- Unlike veneers, using Resin Bonding does not require you to remove or treat your healthy surrounding teeth
- They are a perfect option for closing triangles in the teeth
- They are much less expensive than porcelain veneers
- Most veneer fixes take more than a couple of appointments, but resin bonding can be accomplished in a single seating
- They are considered extremely safe for gums
- They can be easily repaired if damaged
Process of Resin Bonding
The process of resin bonding begins with lightly etching the surface of the teeth that will receive the resin bonding composite. (The process of getting veneers, on the other hand, involves shaving about .5mm to .7mm of healthy tooth enamel as a preparation). Once the etching is complete, a thin mylar called a matrix is placed around each tooth.
They can basically be considered as a form that will shape the flowable composite resin. These shapes are especially suited to fill up what is known as “black triangles,” the space that is formed between the teeth as the gums recede. After this, a slightly heated flowable composite resin is poured. This liquid resin easily flows into the shape created by mylar matrices. Once the composite is cured and hardened, any odd areas are shaved and shaped. The finishing touches are applied by polishing the composite, leaving the patient with a bright, beautiful smile and no black triangles.
Apart from getting rid of any cosmetic issues and black triangles, resin bonding also helps to close spaces between the teeth and to repair worn or broken teeth, decayed teeth, and undersized teeth. For more information regarding resin bonding or veneers, or for any treatment needs or dental emergency, please contact Westney North Dental, your local Ajax dental centre.