This patient had a large space between her two front teeth (we call it a diastema). The options were porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns or bonded composite restorations. One of the advantages of the bonding is that it can usually be completed in one visit.

Procedure:
The patient chose to go with the composite bonding, where the material is sculpted and bonded into place. Bonding is the least expensive option and can be completed in one visit. The bonded restorations do have the shortest life expectancy and need periodic polishing but if taken care of can last for many years.

This young patient was unhappy with her small teeth leaving large spaces in-between them. She also didn’t like the position of the teeth looking sort of cramped. Other treatment options would have been porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns but cost was and issue and bonding is less expensive.

Procedure:
Bonded composite material was applied to her upper six anterior teeth to close the gaps and to reshape the teeth. Bonding requires a bit of maintenance with regular polishing; because the material is porous the teeth may take on stain with time. But when she is older she can always have the bonding redone or porcelain veneers when she can afford them, This is a good interim treatment for anyone, but especially for younger patients who have very young, large nerves in their teeth (making crown preparation difficult) and want an instant fix. …maybe for “prom photos”. This was all done in one or two

This patient was horsing around with a buddy when he fell against a wall breaking off his front tooth. The tooth did not die right away so we had a few options. (Often trauma to teeth like this can cause the need for a root canal either right away or years in the future)

Procedure:
The most conservative approach was selected. Direct bonding of composite material restored the original appearance of the tooth in a single visit. More treatment to the nerve may be needed later if the tooth dies, but that could be 30 years in the future. If the tooth is stable for a few years the patient will likely choose to have a porcelain crown made for the tooth, as with time bonding needs to be redone due to staining.

This little patient had a skateboard accident resulting in chipping his front tooth. The tooth had not completed erupting into his mouth and the root had not yet completed development. Although the tooth was very young there is often a better chance at saving the tooth in a child than an adult.

Procedure:
Bonded composite material was applied to the broken tooth in one visit, so he and his mum can wait and see how the tooth growth develops.