When the braces go on, the clock starts ticking until they can come off. The closer you are to being done, the slower the time passes. When it’s finally time, the orthodontist and the dentist agree that they’re happy with the way the smile has lined up and the green light is given to set the teeth free!
The first thing you notice is how smooth the teeth feel and how nice it is to be able to eat a meal without carrying half of it around in the braces for the next hour or so. As the next few days go by, you notice that one of the teeth seems to be just a bit off. May be a bit shorter or rotated just a bit. You’re not sure, but as time goes on, you just know it’ll bother you if nothing is done.
The first conversation you have is with the orthodontist/dentist – they may be able to make a little correction – braces / retainer / Invisalign. You may just call your dentist and see if some minor bonding or a veneer could be done to fine tune the result.
Either way is fine. Once you decide which direction works best for you, your dental team is ready to help you get to where you want to go.
We treat cases like this all the time. Sometimes it’s right after the braces come off. Sometimes we do some bonding before the braces go on. Sometimes we do the bonding during the braces (usually to help guide the orthodontist into the final tooth position with a more natural size and shape for the tooth/teeth). Sometimes the bonding isn’t done until years after the braces have come off.
The deciding factor between a plastic bonding and a porcelain veneer is usually the size of the area we need to fix and how color stable we need it to be. Plastic bonding is good for minor areas and when it’s less of an issue if it picks up stain from food and drink over the years. A porcelain veneer is good for larger areas (peg laterals) or larger gap between front teeth. Also, when color stability is more critical.
I’m amazed with how long people will live with something that bothers them every time they see it and how their usual response after it’s fixed is, “I can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner!”
If you have just finished your orthodontic treatment (or will soon), and there’s that one area or tooth that just needs a little help, talk with your dental team. They are there to help you get the smile you will love!
Yours In Dental Health,
Landerbrook Dental Blog 