Why Bonding Is A Good Option For Whitening Your Discolored Tooth

If you have a single discolored tooth because it was injured when you were young, you've probably found out you can't whiten it using normal teeth whitening procedures. Bleaching works best on yellowish stains caused by smoking and food. Gray discoloration caused by an injury to the tooth can't be removed, but you can improve the appearance of your tooth by covering it up. The easiest way to do that is with dental bonding. Bonding will match your tooth color to the rest of your teeth, and it can even fix small chips or uneven edges if you have them. Here's why bonding may be the best way to fix your discolored tooth.

Bonding Doesn't Damage Your Tooth

There are three ways your dentist can cover your tooth to change it's appearance. You could undergo bonding, get a veneer, or have a crown applied. Of the three, bonding is the least damaging to your tooth. When you get a crown, the dentist has to remove part of your healthy tooth so the crown can fit in your mouth properly. Unless your tooth is cracked, or has a cavity, getting a crown just to improve the color of a tooth may be too extreme, since you'll damage your tooth in the process.

A veneer is less damaging to your tooth, but in order for it to fit perfectly next to your other teeth, the dentist will have to remove part of the enamel on your tooth before the veneer is applied. Bonding, on the other hand, doesn't require the removal of any part of your tooth. The enamel needs to be etched or roughened so the bonding material will adhere better, but your tooth is not damaged in any way.

Bonding Is An Easy Procedure

Compared to getting a veneer or crown, bonding is quick and easy to endure. You can have the entire procedure completed in a single visit. Even if you fear going to the dentist, you should be able to tolerate the bonding process since there is little pain involved. If you have very sensitive teeth, or if you have a cavity, your dentist can give you a local anesthetic before the procedure begins. However, if your tooth is otherwise healthy, you probably won't even need to have the area numbed when your tooth is bonded.

Your dentist makes the surface of your tooth rough and then applies the bonding material. The material used will match the color of you other teeth so the bonded tooth will blend right in. The material is then cured with a light to dry it and make it hard. Then your dentist can polish it so the sheen matches your other teeth. The bonding material can fill in chips or make your tooth a little longer if necessary to improve your smile. After the material is set, your dentist will contour it to the perfect shape.

Bonding Is Affordable

Because bonding is quick and you won't need an anesthetic, it costs much less than getting a crown or veneer. Crowns and veneers are made at a dental lab and custom fit to your mouth. They involve at least two dental visits, which drives up the cost even further. If cost is a concern, and your tooth is healthy, then bonding is the ideal option for changing the appearance of your tooth. However, if your tooth has a lot of decay, has a large chip, or is out of alignment, then bonding may not be the best option. In those instances, a hard shell covering such as a crown or veneer could be a better option. You can learn more by talking with your dentist.