Fillings, Inlays, & Onlays in Muncie. IN

Tooth Colored Fillings

General tooth colored filling information

Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored filling material is applied and hardened with a special light, which "bonds" to the tooth to restore or enhance a person's smile. Tooth colored fillings look much like natural tooth structure.

Why would I need tooth-colored fillings?

1. To repair decayed teeth
2. To repair chipped or cracked teeth
3. To improve the appearance of discolored teeth
4. To close spaces between teeth
5. To make teeth look longer
6. To change the shape of teeth
7. As a cosmetic alternative to silver colored fillings
8. To protect a portion of the tooth's root that has been exposed when gums recede

What are the advantages and disadvantages of dental bonding?

Advantages: Bonding is among the easiest and least expensive of cosmetic dental procedures. Unlike porcelain veneers and crowns, which are lab designed tooth coverings, bonding usually can be completed in one office visit. Also with smaller restorations, dental anesthesia may not be required. The cost of dental bonding is lower than porcelain veneers and crowns, but the lifespan and durability of bonding can be less.

Disadvantages:Although the material used in dental bonding is often stain resistant, it does not resist stains as well as porcelain veneers and crowns. Another disadvantage is that the bonding materials do not last as long nor are as strong as, porcelain crowns and veneers. Additionally, bonding materials can chip and break off the tooth.

Because of some of the limitations of bonding, some dentists view bonding as best suited for small cosmetic changes, for temporary correction of cosmetic defects, and for correction of teeth in areas of very low bite pressure (for example, front teeth).

Please contact our office if you are curious if you are a candidate for cosmetic enhancement and/or tooth colored fillings.

3410 W. Purdue Ave. | Muncie, IN | 47304 | Phone: 765-747-9545 | Fax: 765-747-0727