Dental bonding is a cost-effective solution for a number of general and cosmetic dental problems. With bonding, Houston dentist Dr. Ronald Konig can protect and strengthen teeth that are:
- Chipped or cracked
- Irregularly sized or shaped
- Unevenly spaced
Because dental bonding is shaded to match adjacent teeth in color, it serves an aesthetic purpose as well and can simultaneously correct the above functional problems along with issues such as severe discoloration, even when that discoloration is below the enamel of the teeth.
Porcelain veneers are small shells that are placed over the front of teeth to improve aesthetics. Veneers are incredibly durable and, with proper care, may last for decades. By contrast, bonding is made of a composite resin that is hardened once applied to the teeth. Although hardened, this resin is easier to scratch or remove than veneers and will not be as likely to produce long-lasting results. However, when cared for properly, dental bonding can last for 10 or more years.
Caring for Dental Restorations
With both veneers and bonding, proper care is essential for longevity. While each smile is different and may require specialized treatments, common elements included in caring for restorations include:
- Brushing – we recommend you brush your teeth after every meal to help prevent plaque and tartar from building up and to remove surface stains before they set. If you have restorations, it is important that you use a soft-bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to help prevent scratching or damaging them
- Flossing – we encourage you to floss both morning and night. Take care to follow the entire length of the tooth – even those teeth that have been restored with veneers or bonding – to remove food and plaque from in between. Remember, cavities can form underneath porcelain veneers. Flossing helps prevent this
- Visit our office – the American Dental Association has established six months as the ideal space in between dental visits. Make sure to maintain your biannual visits for professional cleaning and examination of your teeth and restorations. These visits also give Dr. Konig an opportunity to check the strength of your restorations and to make adjustments as needed
It should be noted that some mouthwashes have astringent ingredients like alcohol, tea tree, and witch hazel. These ingredients can cause damage to certain types of dental bonding and should be avoided unless otherwise directed by Dr. Konig.
Caring for restorations shouldn’t impact your daily routine all that much. Brushing with a soft-bristle toothbrush after every meal, flossing morning and night, and visiting our office twice yearly are recommended even if you have never needed to have dental bonding or porcelain veneers placed.
Based on your needs, Dr. Konig may recommend care be modified to meet your specific concerns. During your time in our care, personalized instructions will be provided to help ensure your smile remains strong and beautiful for years to come.
If you live in The Woodlands, Katy, Sugar Land, or surrounding areas of Texas, call the Houston office of Dr. Ronald Konig at 713-668-2289 to schedule an appointment and learn how we can help give you the strong, straight, and attractive smile you deserve.
