Restoring Your Smile with Teeth Bonding Post Braces
After enduring months or even years of wearing braces, you're eager to show off your new smile. However, you may notice spots on your teeth left by the brackets or bands used during your orthodontic treatment. Fortunately, there are cosmetic options like teeth bonding after braces to restore and beautify your smile.
What Causes Blemishes Post Braces?
Braces, especially the metal type, can leave behind blemishes on your teeth due to the constant friction. Stains and scratches typically develop in areas where the braces brackets were cemented. Enamel damage or decalcification may also occur due to poor oral hygiene near the brackets while wearing braces.
You may also have uneven tooth edges near where elastics were hooked or small gaps between teeth after the orthodontic treatment closes. These blemishes are common and merely cosmetic rather than dental health issues. Nonetheless, they can make you self-conscious about your smile.
Benefits of Teeth Bonding
Teeth bonding after braces is a quick and affordable cosmetic treatment that can restore your smile. Some key benefits include:
- Masking stains, cracks, gaps, and uneven edges on teeth
- Matching the natural color of your teeth
- Smoothing rough spots and filling in small gaps
- Avoiding other extensive treatments like veneers
- Single visit procedure with immediate results
- Preserving healthy tooth structure unlike crowns
The Teeth Bonding Process
Here is an overview of what to expect with the teeth bonding after braces procedure:
- Preparation: The dentist will lightly roughen the surface of the blemished tooth and apply a conditioning liquid to aid bonding.
- Application: A tooth-colored composite resin putty that matches your teeth's shade is sculpted on the flawed area and hardened using a special light.
- Finishing: Once cured, the material is shaped, contoured, and polished to a smooth finish that blends seamlessly with the surrounding teeth.
The resin bonds firmly to the roughened enamel for a seamless, natural look. The whole teeth bonding procedure takes about 30-60 minutes per tooth depending on the size of the defect.
How Long Does Bonding Last?
With proper oral care, teeth bonding after braces can last 5 to 10 years. Avoid biting hard objects, crunching ice, or other behaviors that may crack or dislodge the resin. See your dentist promptly if you notice any loosening or damage to prevent further issues.
Over time, staining, minor fractures, or debonding may necessitate a touch up or replacement of the composite resin. Thankfully, teeth bonding is a fast and convenient procedure to restore your smile whenever needed.
Achieve the Perfect Smile Post Braces
Aside from teeth bonding, you may also consider:
Teeth Whitening
If your teeth are stained from food, drinks, smoking, or braces, professional whitening can brighten your smile by up to eight shades for more confidence.
Dental Veneers
While more expensive than bonding, veneers provide a longer lasting cosmetic solution for severely stained, chipped, or crooked teeth after braces.
Retainers for Small Gaps
Minor tooth gaps post braces often close within a few months of wearing custom retainers. Clear aligners can also discretely continue shifting teeth if gaps remain.
Discuss any cosmetic concerns about your smile with your orthodontist once the braces come off. With options like teeth bonding after braces, veneers, whitening, and retainers, you can flaunt your perfect smile for years to come.
FAQs
What are the benefits of teeth bonding after braces?
The main benefits are seamlessly masking unsightly stains, cracks, gaps, and uneven edges left by braces brackets using a natural looking composite resin material.
Does dental insurance cover teeth bonding?
Yes, many dental insurance plans cover a portion of teeth bonding costs when done to repair defects or damage. Purely cosmetic bonding may not be covered.
What's the difference between dental bonding and veneers?
Bonding applies composite resin directly on the tooth's surface while veneers are thin porcelain or resin shells custom-made to adhere over the front of teeth.
How long does the bonding procedure take?
Bonding takes about 30-60 minutes per tooth. However, you’ll only need a single, convenient dental visit for immediate results.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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