Dental Fillings & Bonding — Coventry & Vernon
Lifetime Protection For Your Smile
The dentists at Drs. Hadden and Whidden, LLC, are committed to keeping up with the modern advancements in dentistry. We provide dental fillings and bonding at our practice with dental offices in Vernon and Coventry, CT, that are natural-looking and non-toxic.
FILLINGS
In the past, teeth were filled with a mixture of different metals, most commonly known as amalgam. These types of fillings are highly noticeable and can present an unattractive sight when a patient laughs or smiles. Today, as more natural-looking and metal-free fillings are becoming the preferred approach, that is all changing. Tooth-like materials called composite resins are being used that are both safe and predictable. The most important feature for many is that they look, react, and feel more like natural teeth.
With the use of tooth-colored, resin-based fillings, dentistry can be performed that is virtually undetectable. Tooth-colored fillings are durable, do not require unnecessary removal of healthy tooth structure, and do not contain mercury, a known threat to good health. These types of fillings utilize modern chemistry to bond to remaining tooth structure and are incredibly strong. They can be used to replace old silver fillings that have decayed or as an elective treatment to eliminate the look of grey teeth.
Bonding
Metallic fillings do not bond with the tooth. They merely rested on or within it, providing some degree of protection. Today, so much more is known about the interface between dentin and enamel and the bond that is created naturally between these two biological products. This has led science to discover new ways of bonding fillings that create a stronger, more protected connection to natural tooth structure.
Rebuilding Teeth by Mimicking Nature
Restoring and rebuilding teeth depends on a good bond between resin materials and both the enamel and dentin. We offer composite dental fillings and bonding at our Vernon and Coventry practice that not only looks natural but responds naturally too, allowing bite stresses to pass through the tooth naturally while biting, chewing, or speaking. In the past, dentistry focused on creating "stronger" teeth by using very durable, rigid materials to replace decayed or damaged teeth. Years later, these rigid materials actually contributed to further decay and caused cracking to occur. Today, dentistry uses nature as a guide by constantly looking for materials that more closely mimic human teeth in form and function. It is a combination of art and science that takes into account the action of the tooth being restored and its internal shape. A tooth, or portion of a tooth, is then recreated using materials that respond as a healthy tooth would.
BONDING
Dental bonding is the art of using tooth-colored filling materials to change the shape, color, size, and appearance of your teeth. Bonding is a very popular and conservative treatment option because it provides a successful attachment between the filling material and the tooth's original enamel and dentin. It mimics the look of the original tooth and functions like it as well.
Direct bonding is used to recreate a smile with composite resin in an additive manner, where little or no tooth reduction is needed. In the hands of a skilled operator, bonding is less costly than porcelain veneers and dental crowns and can be long-lasting with proper home care and maintenance.
Enamel and Dentin
Through the fusion of enamel and dentin, teeth are a perfect combination of both strength and resilience. Enamel is the outer shell of the tooth or the portion that is visible within the mouth when talking or smiling. This 1mm thick layer is composed of densely packed calcium crystals which are very hard and resistant to wear. Enamel is composed of no living material and is effectively mimicked by replacement with dental porcelain. Dentin is the inner core of the tooth and is much more porous. Constructed of collagen tubes with calcium crystals, dentin is a living tissue and transmits nerve impulses to create sensation and stimulation. With todays' technology, composite resins have properties similar to both enamel and dentin and are a combination of a plastic resin and silica filler. This combination of materials allows for almost flawless tooth color replication and reliable adhesion through chemistry.
Repairing Chipped Teeth
Tooth bonding is used in several different ways, but the most common use of the material is for repairing chipped teeth. Bonding materials (high-density, modern plastics called composite resin) and porcelain are more natural in color and can be designed to perfectly match the surrounding teeth, making it difficult to discern there ever was a broken tooth.
If you are a person who is concerned with the costs of veneers and crowns, or who is too young for that type of treatment, dental bonding is an excellent solution. Often times, the treatment can be completed in only one office visit. Once the resin is custom-shaded and matched to your existing teeth, it is placed, molded, and cured with a high-intensity light before polishing. The result is an esthetic, natural-looking restoration that will keep your teeth looking beautiful for years to come.
During your visit, be sure to ask about tooth-colored fillings and bonding. We will gladly help to make the best decision for you. Contact our dental practice with locations in Vernon or Coventry, CT, today for a dental fillings or bonding appointment.
