Teeth can become broken or damaged for a number of reasons, ranging from trauma (being hit or knocked out) to simple ‘everyday’ wear and tear. When teeth become broken, it is very important to have them treated and repaired. Teeth left damaged can cause problems with eating or speaking normally, to say nothing of the further damage that can be caused by bacteria or infection setting in the broken tooth – sometimes leading as far as an abscess or a tooth falling out altogether. If a tooth is very badly damaged, it may be necessary to have a dental implant to replace the tooth. At the other end of the scale, less serious damage can be corrected with dental veneers, which cover the teeth. However, the most common treatment in the City of Liverpool for damaged teeth is a technique known as composite bonding.
What is composite bonding?
The basic principle behind composite bonding is to bind together the broken parts of the tooth, so that it once again functions like a normal tooth. As the materials used can be matched to the surrounding teeth, it will look like a normal tooth as well. After the tooth has been cleaned, the dentist will choose the necessary ‘shade’ of bonding material and then etch the surface of the tooth with a special gel. This gives the bonding material a better surface to grip. The bonding material is then applied, and a special ‘curing’ light is used to set the material. Composite bonding is not as strong as some restorative materials such as porcelain, but worn-down bonding material is very easy to replace, and the procedure is relatively simple in the first place.
