What's the Difference Between Dental Bonding and Contouring?

Not every imperfection in your smile is a true oral health problem. A tooth can be healthy even if it is stained or chipped. For certain cosmetic dental issues, Dr. Victoria Veytsman of Cosmetic Dental Studios can help restore your teeth to their natural color and hide minor dental flaws through dental bonding and contouring. She prides herself on being an artist at heart and merges this passion with aesthetic dentistry for men and women in New York City, NY at her Midtown Manhattan office. Allow Dr. Veytsman to restore your smile through the simple procedures of teeth bonding and contouring. Read on to see if these treatments are the right solution for the aesthetic dental issues you’d like to improve.

Which dental issues will tooth bonding and contouring treat?

Tooth discoloration, stains, chips, and cracks are all cosmetic issues that can be treated with the cosmetic dentistry procedures of dental bonding and contouring. Tooth bonding and contouring are both fast and generally pain-free procedures that are performed with minimal or no anesthesia. These treatments are often preferred by patients in New York City, NY who don’t need or want to undergo more invasive cosmetic dentistry options.

Understanding tooth bonding

Dental bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that uses a liquid resin to seal areas of decay and mask imperfections. The bond is colored to match the natural teeth, making it undetectable to others. It can also be used to make teeth look longer or for filling in gaps between teeth. Before bonding chipped teeth, Dr. Veytsman etches the top layer of the tooth being treated and applies a conditioning gel. A special UV light is used in order to both harden and cure the resin material until it covers the entire treatment area. Once it is set, the surface and any sharp edges can be polished and buffed to make the tooth smooth.

About tooth contouring and reshaping

The process of tooth contouring, also referred to as reshaping, focuses on aesthetics but can also help improve oral health. Contouring can fix gapped or broken teeth, which makes them easier to clean and floss, and leads to a reduced incidence of decay. For tooth contouring, Dr. Veytsman works to reshape the edges of the teeth to make them appear smoother, more even, or shorter. Minor reshaping to the front teeth can result in dramatic improvements to the entire smile. For situations where teeth have jagged edges, overlap, or one tooth is longer than others, dental contouring is a preferred solution. Dr. Veytsman will shape the edges of a tooth to create a more symmetrical smile.

Aftercare tips

Whether you have your teeth bonded or contoured, there are several things you can do that will help your treatments last longer:

• Avoid foods or beverages that may stain the teeth for at least 48 hours following treatment

• Schedule regular dental visits for exams and cleanings

• Follow a regular oral hygiene routine that includes daily brushing and flossing

With proper at-home oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, teeth bonding and contouring can last for years before any additional treatments may be needed.

Additional questions about teeth bonding and contouring

How long do my results last?

Patients can expect their dental bonding or teeth contouring results to last anywhere from 3 – 10 years. Proper oral hygiene can help to prolong the benefits of these treatments. Bonded teeth need to be cared for with daily brushing and flossing. Avoid biting on hard candy, ice, and other hard foods, as the bonding materials can chip or break. If needed, Dr. Veytsman can repair any damage to the teeth in her New York City, NY office.

Are there any cons to dental bonding or contouring?

The composite resin from dental bonding can absorb stains over time, much like natural enamel. Because of this concern, some patients consider getting porcelain veneers or crowns instead of bonding or contouring as part of an overall smile makeover.

Contact Cosmetic Dental Studios to improve your smile

If you’re looking for cosmetic dentistry procedures that can give you the smile you’re dreaming of, Dr. Victoria Veytsman and the professional staff at Cosmetic Dental Studios can help. Whether it’s a complete smile makeover or the quick process of dental bonding and contouring to address minor imperfections, Dr. Veytsman works diligently to help her patients’ smiles shine once again. To schedule an appointment and learn more about treatments to improve your smile, contact the New York City, NY office of Cosmetic Dental Studios, conveniently located in Midtown Manhattan, today.