There are tons of dental procedures that can improve the health or beauty of your smile. Dental bonding is one cosmetic dental procedure that uses tooth-colored composite resin to fix cracks, crookedness, discoloration, and many other dental concerns. Check out these four common dental procedures that dental bonding can replace.  

Veneers

Veneers are thin shells that are placed on the front surface of your front teeth, and they are extremely popular because they can fix many cosmetic dental concerns, such as gaps, chips and cracks. However, dental bonding can be used as an alternative to veneers. Instead of crafting shells in the lab, the dentist places the composite resin directly onto your teeth, which has a putty-like consistency. The dentist uses special tools to smooth and shape the putty, filling in chips and gaps. This resin is then hardened with an ultraviolet light. The dentist continues this process until the tooth is perfect.

Porcelain veneers are considered more attractive than dental bonding, but dental bonding does have several advantages over veneers. First, dental bonding is cheaper. Porcelain veneers cost between $925 and $2,500 per tooth, and dental bonding costs about $100 to $400 per tooth. Second, having your teeth corrected with dental bonding is fast. It only takes about 30 minutes to one hour for dental bonding vs. several visits for veneers. Last, to hold veneers, some tooth enamel must be removed, but dental bonding requires only a small amount to be removed, which means there is less modification of healthy tooth and there is less risk of causing trauma to the pulp.  

Metal Fillings

Metal fillings were once the norm when it came to fixing cavities. However, dental bonding can be used to replace existing metal fillings with tooth-colored ones. The dentist can even remove your old metal fillings and replace them with composite fillings. The process is much like getting a metal filling, except the special ultraviolet light is needed to harden the composite resin.  

There are a few advantages to choosing composite resin fillings over metal fillings. For starters, of course, the tooth-colored fillings are more attractive. However, the advantages don't stop there. Metal fillings require more healthy tooth structure to be removed to hold the filling. Because metal can't bond to tooth, the dentist must create a shelf. Composite resin can bond to tooth, so more tooth tissue is saved. Also, metal fillings can cause damage to the existing tooth structure overtime. Metal fillings do have one advantage over tooth-colored fillings. They are more durable and can last 10 to 15 years. Tooth-colored fillings only last about 5.

Braces

Braces are the most common method for fixing crooked teeth, but they aren't the only way. If you have mildly crooked front teeth, you can avoid a trip to the orthodontist by opting for dental bonding instead. This process is much like the one that replaces veneers. The dentist etches the teeth, places the resin, shapes it and hardens it until the tooth looks perfect. Gaps are filled in with the resin, and even crooked teeth can be reshaped to look straight.  

Using dental bonding for straightening teeth is best left for people with mild to moderate crowding and gapping. Braces are best for more severe cases. However, if you do choose dental bonding, you'll have immediate results instead of waiting years for braces to work. On top of that, you won't have to worry about wearing a retainer for the rest of your life or having your teeth move back to their original position.

Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening is a great procedure and it is quite affordable. If you have yellow or dull teeth from drinking or eating certain beverages/foods, smoking or age, the bleaching solution used in teeth whitening can work wonders. Whether you choose in-office bleaching or a take-home tray, these stains are no match.

However, tooth whitening isn't a one-size solution. There are some stains that are not as vulnerable to the bleaching solution. Certain antibiotics can cause tooth discoloration during tooth-formation, and others may cause it after the tooth has erupted. Overexposure to fluoride during tooth-formation can also cause chalky discoloration. In these cases, whitening may work, but the results vary, and the affected teeth may not look as white as non-affected teeth. Dental bonding, however, can correct any stain because it covers the stain. Plus, dental bonding is resistant to stains.

Dental bonding as a versatile cosmetic dental procedure that can be used to fix many dental problems. If you have been considering one of these procedures but don't have the time or money or your dentist said you weren't a good candidate, call today and ask about dental bonding.