Teeth care treatment|Dental care

The following are the steps the dentist takes in composite bonding:

• The correct color is selected to match the surrounding teeth.

• The tooth is cleaned and the surface prepared with drilling.  Since this preparation involves the surface of the tooth, local anesthetic is not necessary in most cases.

• The tooth is then ‘etched’ with a mild acid to provide a surface to which the composite will bond.

• Mouldable composite filling material is used and a high intensity light is placed on the tooth for about 40 seconds to harden the composite.

• The composite is refined and polished in teeth care treatment.

The disadvantages, however, are that the composite bonded tooth may discolor over time, break, and may have to be replaced in five years. 

Composite bonding is not effective in completely covering darkly colored imperfections in teeth care treatment.

What dies it cost?

Dentist and Depending on the dentist and his or her location, the cost will vary between $75 and $200 per tooth.

Veneers  

As the name implies, veneering is the placement of a thin facing over the front surface of a tooth.  These facings are made of either resin or porcelain.  The technique is similar to the placement of a composite bond.  Facings, unlike composites are fabricated in the laboratory.

Two visits to the dentist are required for this procedure. During the first appointment, between 0.25 and 0.50 millimeter of tooth structure is removed from the front surface of the tooth, and an imprint is made of it.  The facings are fitted and adjusted during the next visit. At this time, the tooth surface is etched with a mild acid to create a surface to which the facing will bond.  A resin is then used to adhere the facing to the tooth.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of veneers?

The advantages are that a minimal amount of tooth structure is removed, it is esthetically pleasing, and the veneer is replaceable should it become damaged, providing that enough tooth structure remains underneath.

The disadvantages are that the tooth is thicker due to the addition of the facing, the veneer may chip, fracture, or come loose, and it lasts only about five years.

How much does a veneer cost?

The cost ranges from $200 to $500 per tooth.

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