If you have small chips or cracks in your teeth, your dentist might suggest dental bonding as a means of concealing these imperfections. Specifically, dental bonding refers to a quick and painless procedure that involves using a composite resin to fill and repair cosmetic imperfections in teeth. Still, deciding whether or not to have dental bonding done is made much easier when you have all the facts and can see beyond some of the most common myths out there.
Myth 1: Everybody is a Viable Candidate for Dental Bonding
First of all, understand that not everybody is a viable candidate for dental bonding. If your dentist has already mentioned it to you, then you're probably fine. Otherwise, however, your dentist will need to make sure you don't have any underlying decay or other dental problems in the cracked/chipped teeth. After all, dental bonding isn't mean to treat cavities, so if you have decay, you'll need to address that first before you can get dental bonding done.
Myth 2: Dental Bonding is Too Expensive
Actually, when compared to other options for fixing chipped or cracked teeth, dental bonding is the most affordable option for most. And depending on your reasons for needing dental bonding, your dental insurance may even cover some or all of the cost. Even if your insurance won't cover it, your dentist may offer a flexible payment plan that makes it easier to afford when compared to paying out-of-pocket.
Myth 3: Dental Bonding is Only Used to Fill Cracks/Chips
While the main purpose of dental bonding procedures is to fill unsightly chips, cracks, and gaps in teeth, this isn't the only benefit of having dental bonding done. For example, because chipped teeth are more prone to decay and other dental problems, having them bonded can actually help to reduce the risk of future cavities. In some cases, dental bonding can even be used to achieve the appearance of straighter teeth with teeth that are slightly crooked. This is done without the need for braces.
Myth 4: Dental Bonding is Only a Cosmetic Fix
Finally, understand that while dental bonding is largely cosmetic (it can even be used to give teeth a whiter appearance), it's not only a cosmetic procedure. As a result, if your dentist can articulate that you have more than a cosmetic need for the procedure, your dental insurance may be forced to cover part or all of the costs associated with it. In many cases, dental bonding is considered a preventative procedure.
To learn more, contact a dentist like Richard M Holmes DMD PA.
Share10 May 2016
Hi, my name is Kevin Nelson and I want to tell you about my experience. I had a painful tooth so I went to see my dentist. After the examination, he said that I needed to have a root canal to save the tooth. I told the dentist to just pull the tooth instead and then he explained why that wasn't a good idea. He said that pulling the tooth would cause additional problems and then he told me what could happen. I didn't want any more problems, so the dentist did the root canal and I'm glad that he did. I wanted to write a blog to tell others about the benefits of a root canal and what to expect during the procedure. I hope that by getting the word out, other people won't make the same mistake that I almost did by getting a perfectly good tooth pulled.