In our last blog, we talked about how professional teeth whitening can remove stains from your teeth. Unfortunately, though, this treatment may not help everyone. For patients with intrinsic stains or other blemishes on their pearly whites, alternative cosmetic methods may be necessary. Dental Impressions of Ankeny, IA, offers bonding and contouring as another way to improve the appearance of your smile.
Read more: Improve Your Smile In One DayWhy Whitening May Not Work
Professional whitening services target stains on the enamel. If you have discoloration due to drinking beverages such as coffee, tea, or wine, which have high amounts of tannins, professional whitening can help brighten your teeth. However, if you have intrinsic staining, this service will not be able to remove this discoloration.
Intrinsic staining is discoloration below the enamel. This can be caused by damage to your tooth, overuse of fluoride, medical conditions, genetics, and more. It can be difficult to get rid of this kind of discoloration. Instead, it may be recommended to use bonding as a way to camouflage it.
How Bonding Can Help
Bonding is the process of adding a material, composite resin, to the teeth that need it. There are many benefits of this cosmetic option. It can be more effective at improving the appearance of your smile if your teeth do not respond well to whitening. This may also be used to repair minor chips. When you damage your tooth, a crown may be placed to restrengthen it. However, small, surface-level cracks can be bonded together to keep your tooth intact.
This is also a fairly conservative treatment, especially in comparison to veneers. Bonding can last for several years with proper care but can also be reversed if you choose to do so. Many people choose to pair bonding with contouring as well. Contouring uses gentle tools to reshape your tooth. This is helpful for patients who have jagged or pointy canines. Unlike the shaving done to prepare for veneers, this is a very minimal process.
Caring For Your New Smile
Composite resin is made to last for several years with proper care. To increase the lifespan of this cosmetic procedure, remember to maintain good oral hygiene. Cosmetic improvements can make your smile look better, but they do not guarantee its health. Make sure that you brush and floss twice a day and see your dentist regularly.
Talk To Your Dentist About This Improvement
Whether tooth whitening does not work for your smile, or you are looking for a simple way to enhance your smile, bonding and contouring can help. To schedule your appointment, or for any questions about this treatment, call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
