Teeth are incredibly strong structures in the mouth — so strong, in fact, that many people think of their teeth as bones. In reality, your teeth consist of minerals like calcium phosphate, which forms the hard exterior of your teeth known as enamel. This hard layer allows you to chew food and protects the inner layers of the teeth, including dentin (the tissue beneath the enamel) and the soft inner tooth pulp. However, the tooth enamel can chip, crack, and break if you were to suffer a facial injury, chomp on a jawbreaker candy, or grind your teeth too much.

Fortunately, we offer quick and easy solutions for cracked and chipped teeth at Mer Bleue Dental in Orléans. Click here to check out our cosmetic dentistry services, or contact us today to book an appointment with our friendly dentists! Otherwise, continue reading to learn about dental bonding, the solution for cracked and chipped teeth.

What Is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is a process by which your dentist or dental hygienist uses a composite bonding material to cover up minor chips or cracks in the teeth. The composite resin used in teeth bonding is tinted to match the color of your real teeth, and it is secured to the teeth to improve their appearance and functionality. It’s a two-in-one in terms of dental aesthetics and improving the structural integrity of your teeth.

However, dental bonds are not as strong as real teeth, so you’ll need to use caution when eating corn on the cob, whole apples, and other hard foods. These tooth bonds can also pop off if you grind or clench your teeth, use your teeth to open things, or if something like a ball were to hit you in the face. That being said, it’s important to remember that composite bonding is not a permanent solution and that you may have to visit your local dental clinic for new tooth bonds if they fall off. Typically, dental bonds last between three and 10 years before needing to be replaced.

Dental Bonding And Teeth Whitening

It is also important to note that dental bonds are tinted and therefore do not lighten in color if you apply teeth whitening gel, no matter if you have a professional whiten your teeth or you do it yourself with a home teeth whitening kit. When you get a tooth bonded, your dental professional will choose a shade that matches the color of your natural teeth, even if you have yellowing teeth. This is because the purpose of dental bonding is to cover up minor dental imperfections and blend the composite material in with the natural teeth.

If you have stained teeth from coffee, wine, cola, cigarettes, or any other substance that causes tooth discoloration, you can still do teeth whitening at home or at a dental office if you have your dentist replace the tooth bonds afterward with a lighter tint. The end result should be brighter, whiter teeth that look perfectly natural, with any tooth chips or cracks covered up. Interested in learning more about dental bonding and teeth whitening treatments? Please don’t hesitate to call us with any questions you may have, or stop by our dental clinic in Orléans to pick up a home teeth whitening kit!

Book A Cosmetic Dentistry Appointment In Orléans

We hope that this blog post has given you a better understanding of why dental bonding is one of the most quick and easy solutions for chipped and cracked teeth. If you are dealing with a chipped tooth, a tooth crack, or your current tooth bonding has fallen off, contact Mer Bleue Dental today to schedule an appointment.