What Composite Bonding Does

With composite bonding a dentist puts tooth-coloured resin on a tooth and shapes it until the size or edge looks right. Then composite bonding is. Polished. If a tooth looks too short has a chip or has an awkward gap, composite bonding gives the dentist something to work with.

You are not losing tooth structure to make the change. That is a reason I prefer composite bonding for cosmetic changes where adding material makes more sense than shaving enamel away.

When Bonding Makes Sense

• A chip on the front tooth especially one that has been annoying you every time you look in the mirror.

• More shape is needed. Composite bonding is useful when a tooth needs to look longer or fuller.

• A little gap between teeth can sometimes be disguised with resin although the dentist still needs to check whether composite bonding is suitable for your bite.

What Tooth Contouring Does

Tooth contouring takes the approach. Of adding resin a dentist carefully removes a very small amount of enamel to alter the tooths shape. Tooth contouring sounds more dramatic than it usually is. The adjustment is often tiny.

This works well when a tooth has a slightly uneven edge or looks a bit too bulky compared with teeth around it. You do not need material because a tooth already has enough shape to work with.

The Main Difference

Think of it like editing a drawing. Composite bonding adds something to the picture. Tooth contouring trims something away. Simple,. Useful.

Tooth contouring is permanent because enamel does not grow back. Composite bonding can be. Replaced if the resin chips or wears down. Composite bonding does need care though. Composite bonding can. Chip more easily, than natural enamel especially if you regularly bite hard foods with those teeth.

Which One Fits Your Smile?

• If a tooth needs size or length composite bonding usually fits the job better because a dentist can build the shape outward.

• If there is an amount of enamel that simply needs smoothing down tooth contouring is often the cleaner choice.

• For a chipped tooth composite bonding has the advantage because tooth contouring cannot put missing tooth structure back.

So Which Should You Choose?

If you want a small shape change and a tooth already has enamel in the right places tooth contouring can be wonderfully simple. But if you need to add length fill a space or rebuild a chipped edge I lean toward composite bonding.