For instance, a porcelain dental crown or porcelain veneer may provide highly lifelike result, but placing crowns and veneers requires permanently altering the tooth. In many cases, less invasive tooth bonding and/or contouring can provide comparable results with significantly fewer or no alterations to your teeth. Bonding and contouring combine the many benefits of cosmetic smile improvement with the long-term advantages of preserving your natural smile.
The Right Changes with Bonding/Contouring
Tooth bonding and tooth contouring are minimally invasive procedures that are often performed together, but may be prescribed separately, depending on your unique needs. To bond a tooth, your dentist will apply a discreet, tooth-colored resin to the blemished area, then sculpt and harden the resin until it blends in almost seamlessly with your smile. Bonding can be recommended to build up or improve the appearance of a chipped, lightly cracked, severely stained, or otherwise blemished tooth.
By contrast, contouring a tooth means lightly reshaping or smoothing the outer surface (enamel) of a tooth, taking care not to permanently alter the tooth’s main structure (dentin). Tooth contouring is gentle enough that most patients don’t require dental sedation, though it may be an option if you wish. Contouring a tooth can help you solve issues like a jagged edge, jutting corner, rough patch of enamel, and more.
Learn More About Tooth Bonding/Contouring
If your smile can use a cosmetic touchup, then find out if tooth bonding or contouring is your best option! To schedule a cosmetic consultation, call Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, today at 903-455-5750. We proudly serve patients from Hunt County, Greenville, Royce City, Sulphur Springs, and all surrounding communities.