Dental bonding and tooth-colored fillings fit into both the cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry categories. These solutions are similar in many ways, but they also have differences that set them apart and allow one to come out on top as the best type of dental care depending on the circumstances. Find out how these treatments work and which is most appropriate for your dental dilemma.

The Versatility of Tooth-Colored Fillings

Most people hear the term “tooth-colored fillings” and they think of this repair as being meant for tooth decay only. While this is indeed true, and tooth-colored fillings are the restoration of choice for cavities, they can also be used to repair:

  • Chips
  • Cracks
  • Discoloration
  • Gaps
  • Old fillings
  • Silver fillings
  • Stains
  • Worn teeth

Tooth-colored fillings, in general, are designed to fix how a tooth functions and help prolong its life. The repair looks natural and blends in with the rest of your enamel so it doesn’t stand out as a cosmetic dentistry repair. Fillings actually come in a few different compositions and the nature of your dental problem will determine which is the best option for your repair:

  • Composite fillings: White and strong, composite fillings are used for small- to medium-sized cavities.
  • Porcelain fillings: Also tooth-colored and incredibly durable, porcelain fillings are used to treat large cavities on the chewing surface of the tooth.
  • Onlays or inlays: These repairs, often known as partial crowns, cover a larger area of tooth than a filling and repair a tooth that has a large area of destruction or decay.

Non-Invasive Dental Bonding

A common cosmetic procedure mostly intended to improve the appearance of a tooth, dental bonding can sometimes be used like a filling to fix the functionality of a tooth. Dental bonding is versatile and can repair an extensive list of dental complications including:

  • Broken teeth
  • Decayed teeth
  • Discolored teeth
  • Gapped teeth
  • Jagged teeth
  • Misshapen teeth
  • Surface cracks

Both a cosmetic and functional repair, dental bonding helps prolong the life of a tooth in one fast and easy procedure. It is an economical choice for someone who is concerned about budget and it can be done in one dental visit for the patient who doesn’t have much time to spend at the dentist’s office.

Numbing is not needed to do dental bonding – it is a non-invasive procedure that is simply designed to build up the structure of a tooth and leave a natural-looking repair behind.

Deciding Between Bonding and a Filling

Your Hampton dentist will examine the tooth that is causing problems for you and make a recommendation about the best cosmetic or restorative dentistry treatment for your concerns. For patients who are anxious about a dental visit, bonding may be the right choice because it does not require a local numbing agent to carry out the work. But, ultimately, the best solution comes down to what’s going on with your oral health and what your dentist thinks is the most effective, long-lasting repair.

If you have concerns about a tooth or are tired of an unsightly tooth marring your smile, schedule a consultation with Dr. Shevchenko and her team at Smiles by the Sea in Hampton, NH.