Cosmetic Bonding
If you are looking for a non-invasive, quick, and cost-effective way to change the way your smile looks, then cosmetic dental bonding may be the perfect option for you! Done in our dental office, cosmetic bonding is guaranteed to have you leave our office feeling more confident.
Other procedures require us to remove part of your tooth’s structure, place a temporary restoration, and wait weeks for permanent restorations to return from the dental lab. Tooth bonding can be done right here in our office, usually in a single visit. It’s also one of the most affordable cosmetic dentistry options available.
Who Uses Cosmetic Dental Bonding?
Cosmetic bonding is ideal for patients who wish to permanently change their smiles easily and quickly. Besides being cost-efficient, dental bonding only requires that we lightly etch the surface of your tooth, making it much less invasive than treatments like crowns or veneers. At Damore Dentistry, we use cosmetic bonding for a variety of different reasons. Using bonding, we can improve your tooth’s appearance by changing its color, shape, or size. Cosmetic bonding can even fix a chipped, cracked, or decayed tooth.
Common reasons our patients come in for dental bonding include:
- Repairing chipped or fractured teeth.
- Recover decayed teeth Improve severely stained teeth
- Fill in spaces between teeth
- Lengthen stubby or small teeth
- Reshape one or multiple teeth
- An attractive alternative to silver fillings
- Minimally invasive and cost-effective
- The entire procedure is done in one dental visit
- Fix enamel erosion
Dental bonding is a beautiful alternative to dental prosthetics like porcelain veneers or dental crowns without removing any of your natural tooth structure. Dr. Damore can complete the entire procedure quickly, and you will walk away with a brand new smile. The best part may be the low cost of your smile makeover as compared to other cosmetic dental procedures.
How the Bonding Process Works
Dr. Damore begins the process by roughening your tooth's surface and applying a conditioning liquid that allows the bonding material to attach more easily and permanently. Then the bonding material, a putty-like resin, is applied to your tooth and molded for your specific needs.
The resin color is professionally matched to the shade of your natural teeth to ensure that nobody but you knows you’ve had the work done. Once we smooth the resin, we use ultraviolet light to harden it. The resin is then polished, and you’re ready to go!
Cosmetic Dental Bonding Restrictions
If you have significant decay or a fractured tooth, bonding (or composite fillings) may not offer enough stability to protect your tooth. The effectiveness of bonding is best when the cosmetic flaws are small and do not compromise your tooth's overall structure.
As with all dentistry, the wear and tear from day-to-day use may cause damage over time and eventually need replacement. If you maintain your regular dental exams, cleanings, and wear a protective nightguard you can prolong your dentistry's longevity.
Dr. Damore can advise patients whether dental bonding is a good option for their smile flaws; in some cases, a porcelain veneer or dental crown is a better option.
Caring for Your Teeth After Bonding
You don’t have to change a thing! Dental bonding requires no special aftercare; in fact, it’s as easy as caring for your natural teeth. We recommend that you continue to brush and floss as you normally would keep your teeth beautiful and healthy. We’ll keep an eye on your bonding at your routine dental visits and make sure that it’s in good shape. If necessary, bonding is easy to repair. Dr. Damore will examine your dental bonding to make sure it is still sealed and in one piece.
If Dr. Damore uses the material as a filling, we will check to make sure it has not moved to allow food particles and bacteria that lead to tooth decay. While tooth-colored composite resin may look and feel just like your existing teeth, it is not as tough and can stain easily. This means that coffee, wine, tea, and tobacco products can make your dental bonding look yellow or brown. At Damore Dentistry we advise patients to wait for at least 48 hours before imbibing foods and beverages that can stain your teeth.
Dental bonding can help you regain your ability to chew, bite, and speak—but it is easier to break than enamel, so take care when eating hard candy, ice, and similar materials. Maintaining your composite bonding means avoiding anything that can chip your teeth. Diligent dental hygiene, coupled with regular dental cleanings and check-ups at our dental office, is sure to keep your smile shining!
