Month: April 2022

Even when a cracked or chipped tooth doesn’t hurt, it could be aesthetically unappealing and impair your bite function. Luckily, dental bonding is an excellent solution for minor dental flaws. Compared to most dental treatments, dental bonding offers a simple, quick, convenient, and cost-effective way to restore your oral health and prevent further damage.

If you’re considering cosmetic bonding treatment or your dentist has scheduled you for one, knowing what to expect can help you prepare adequately. If you’ve not already consulted your dentist, you must do so. Why? Not every candidate might be a good candidate for dental bonding. For instance, dental bonding might not help much if your tooth is severely damaged. Instead, a dental crown is more effective.

What is Dental Bonding?

Typically, bonding is the process of applying a bonding material, like composite resin, to a tooth to repair the damage. Mainly, a tooth-colored bonding material provides a natural and aesthetically appealing appearance. Commonly, bonding addresses dental imperfections such as decayed, chipped, discolored, uneven, or cracked teeth. Depending on your condition, your dentist can apply bonding in a single visit to the dental office.

How is Bonding Performed?

Before the primary procedure, the dentist will examine your mouth and affected tooth to determine whether dental bonding is the right treatment option for you. Your dentist will make the necessary preparations for the bonding procedure if you’re eligible.

During the primary procedure, the dentist will begin by selecting a shade of bonding materials that match the natural color of the rest of your tooth. Your dentist will ensure that the results are aesthetically appealing and natural. Next, the dentist roughens the tooth and then coats it with a conditioning liquid to allow easy bonding.

Next, the dentist applies a putty-like material, commonly composite resin, to the tooth. The molded material ensures natural and appealing results. The bonding material hardens using a special laser or ultraviolet light. Once the bonding process is complete, the dentist finishes the treatment by shaping and polishing up the bonded tooth to match the rest of your teeth.

Generally, the composite resin bonding takes about 30 – 60 minutes for a single tooth. If you need multiple teeth bonded, it could take multiple appointments to complete. Thanks to the straightforward treatment, you may not require anesthesia, meaning that you can immediately resume your daily routine.

Benefits of Dental Bonding?

There are numerous reasons to consider teeth bonding to repair tooth damage. These include:

• Fills improperly gapped teeth

Poorly gapped teeth can make normal dental activities such as chewing and brushing difficult. Food particles can get trapped in the gaps, leading to plaque and bacteria buildup, which eventually causes gum diseases and cavities. Dental bonding is highly effective in filling in small gaps between teeth. Significant tooth gaps may require extensive treatment, such as braces and Invisalign ®.

The short answer to whether or not it is safe to sleep with partial dentures is, “no,” but we encourage you to keep reading to learn why. You’ll also learn more about what alternatives are available to you from our dentist in Sugar Land, TX, for tooth restoration.

Why You Need to Remove Partial Dentures at Night

If you’re wondering what happens if you sleep with dentures, an analogy that might be helpful is not removing your shoes when you sleep at night. Sure, you may be able to get to sleep and stay asleep while wearing your shoes, but there are health risks associated with the practice. Just as your feet need to be exposed to fresh air to avoid bacteria and fungus build-up, the same is true with your gum tissue. Fungus build-up leads to infection of human tissue, whether it’s on your feet or in your mouth. Likewise, that infection causes undesirable side effects such as odor and increased necrotic tissue.

If you need to sleep with your partial dentures, you’ll be fine for one night. Repeated practice of not removing them during the night can lead to conditions like damage to your dental appliance. In some cases, you will need to replace the entire appliance. Factoring that cost into whether or not you should sleep with your dentures may help make the decision clearer.

The Benefits of Partial Dentures in Sugar Land, TX

Even though you can’t sleep with dentures, many advantages make them an ideal choice in tooth replacement – the first being increased self-confidence. They also restore the function of your bite and your ability to speak clearly. An anatomical perspective prevents facial muscles from drooping, which can immediately add years to your appearance. And last, partial dentures can be customized to fit comfortably and look natural, thanks to the many advancements in modern tooth replacement. If you’re searching for “dentures near me,” we invite you to book a consultation with our dentist and her team at Bella Smiles Cosmetic and Family Dentistry for a consultation and treatment plan.

Alternatives to Partial Dentures

Two options you may want to ask us about are dental bridges and dental implants. Although they can be more costly than partial dentures, they offer many advantages that warrant the additional investment in your smile – plus, you don’t need to remove them at night!

A dental bridge consists of a false tooth anchored to your adjoining teeth with dental crowns. Because the tooth is permanent in its placement, you can treat it like any of your natural teeth concerning sleeping and oral hygiene. Plus, its permanent nature means patients won’t have to worry about changes in their facial structure, such as sagging and drooping. Our dentist performs dental bridges on patients who want the security and convenience of a natural-type tooth rather than a tooth that needs replacing at night for sleeping.

Another option to consider for permanent tooth replacement is a dental implant. Dental implants are the most durable of all tooth replacement options, especially when factored against cost. Because they can last a lifetime, they are an excellent investment. Since an implant affixes to your jawbone, it preserves facial structure.

Treatment times for a dental bridge and a dental implant are different. A dental bridge procedure finishes in as few as two appointments in many cases. By contrast, a dental implant often requires multiple appointments spread over several months. Their cost is often similar, so the deciding factor for patients frequently boils down to durability, comfort, performance, and natural appearance. That said, if you are comfortable removing your partial dentures at night for cleaning and sleeping, they can be a great option in tooth replacement.