Teeth Bonding and Contouring in Erlanger
Minimally-Invasive Cosmetic Enhancement
Cosmetic dentistry may conjure up images of extensive mouth makeovers, but the reality is that many esthetic issues can be treated with minimally-invasive procedures. If your teeth are discolored, chipped, misshapen, gapped, or slightly crooked, you may be a candidate for cosmetic bonding, tooth contouring, or a combination of the two. With bonding and contouring, Dr. Henry uses her artistic vision and knowledge of dental science to sculpt and reshape your less-than-perfect teeth into the smile you’ve always wanted–sometimes in just one office visit and without requiring anesthesia. Your Erlanger cosmetic dentist has an eye for determining the way teeth should be shaped, based on your facial structure. With Dr. Henry, your cosmetic procedure will suit your features perfectly and enhance your natural beauty, not give you a cookie-cutter smile.
Tooth Contouring and Reshaping
Tooth contouring is the process of gently removing a small amount of tooth enamel to change the size and shape of teeth. If no serious jaw misalignment is present, tooth reshaping can be used instead of braces to correct slightly crooked or overlapping teeth. Contouring can also be performed on teeth that are worn flat to create youthful-looking curved edges.
Cosmetic Bonding to Correct Teeth Imperfections
Cosmetic bonding uses a composite resin material to cover and reshape imperfect teeth. Your Erlanger cosmetic dentist will apply the putty-like substance to your teeth, shape it until she achieves the desired esthetic outcome, and harden the material under a curing light. She will then make necessary adjustments to the shape of your tooth, followed by a polishing to ensure the tooth attains the same reflective qualities as natural tooth enamel. Bonding is often used in conjunction with tooth reshaping to cover stains, pits, and grooves. It is important to note that bonding does not respond to teeth whitening, so you may want to obtain a professional whitening treatment before your bonding procedure so that the resin material can be shaded to match your brighter natural teeth.
While cosmetic bonding is an effective and economical procedure that can be performed quickly, porcelain veneers are the preferred choice. Dr. Henry is highly-skilled at performing bonding, but she recommends porcelain veneers for a stronger, longer-lasting, and stain-resistant cosmetic restoration.
For personalized general and cosmetic dental care in northern Kentucky, contact Dr. Darlene Henry today to schedule an appointment.