When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, there are definitely stars of the show (veneers, teeth whitening, dental bonding) and there are supporting players. One example would be adhesives. You don’t see them. You don’t think about them. But whether you are having a restorative procedure such a crown, or a cosmetic treatment like porcelain veneers, without adhesive, you would not have long-lasting and strong dental work. One of the first bonding systems failed because it reacted to saliva and therefore wouldn’t last. Over the years, it has been back to the drawing board for many researchers and inventors to come up with the best biocompatible, but long-lasting adhesive options. Your Wheeling cosmetic dentist , Dr. Brent Engelberg, will give you a little more history about dental adhesives over the years.
Early Bonding Attempts
In the late 1970’s, an ionic bond to calcium in the tooth was discovered. This provided hope for a better and stronger adhesive possibility. Unfortunately, the water within the dentin of teeth and saliva still resulted in degrading the adhesive and weakening the bond. At this time, dentists were not removing what is known as a “smear layer.” This is defined as the organic debris that results from preparing a tooth for a dental procedure. The smear layer was clearly affecting the reliability of adhesives. So, the next generation of bonding materials included acid etching of dentin to remove this debris. A stronger adhesion was achieved, but many dentists felt that acid etching was counter-productive to dental health.
The Current Standard
In the 1990’s, a fourth generation of bonding adhesives were introduced to dentists and they are still used to this day. This process includes a complete removal of the smear layer. Dentin and tooth enamel are etched simultaneously, unveiling demineralized dentin that is now a receptive canvas for primers and resins. This process induces a symbiosis between dentin and resin, so that they become almost like one entity in your mouth. Unfortunately, it requires the experience of a well-versed cosmetic dentist achieve proper adhesion without tooth sensitivity. Fortunately, your Wheeling cosmetic dentist is one such person that can achieve high-quality and comfortable bonds for patients seeking cosmetic and restorative procedures.
Wheeling Cosmetic Dentist Improves Smiles
Your Wheeling cosmetic dentist can offer many cosmetic options for improving the appearance of your smile. To schedule a cosmetic consultation, call our 60090 cosmetic dentist office at 847-259-6988. We proudly serve patients who reside in the Chicago suburbs of Buffalo Grove, Palatine, Schaumburg, Barrington, Long Grove, Deerfield, Wheeling, the 60015 zip code, and the surrounding communities.
