What is Dental Bonding?

If you have damaged or discolored teeth, dental bonding can help repair and create a natural-looking, aesthetically pleasing, brighter smile. Bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that uses composite resin material to repair minor issues and to restore and improve your natural look. This procedure can fill in and eliminate small cracks, chips, fractures, and reduce gaps between teeth. It can also help hide discoloration, help fix excessive wear and tear on your teeth, and can reshape teeth to remove inconsistencies and make them appear more uniform. Additionally, bonding is one of the easiest and least expensive cosmetic dental options.

Dental Bonding Procedure

At Smith Dentalworks, we use the same composite material for our fillings as we use for our dental bonding treatment. After examining and cleaning the tooth or teeth, we will roughen up the tooth enamel slightly. We will then apply a mild conditioning liquid that will help the material adhere. This bonding material is applied in several coats and shaped to match the tooth size. Next, it is hardened with a specially designed light. Once the tooth has been built up enough, the bond is then sculpted to the desired shape and texture to match the surrounding natural teeth.

Advantages of Dental Bonding

Dental bonding can help repair your teeth and unlike veneers or crowns, this procedure removes little or none of the original tooth. It’s quick, non-invasive, and painless. The tooth remains intact so most people do not need anesthesia or pain medication for the bonding procedure. It is typically less expensive than dental crowns or porcelain veneers. This is because all work is done in the office without the need for a dental lab.

Caring for Your Bonded Teeth

While restorative bonding is a long-lasting solution, you should always follow the same good oral health practices that you do for your regular teeth. You should floss daily and brush your teeth twice a day with a soft brush. Practicing good oral hygiene and getting regular dental care can help ensure that your bonded teeth last.

The composite material can be more prone to stain than other types of restorations. As a result, it is best to avoid food and drinks like wine, coffee, tea, berries, brightly colored candies, and colored drinks like sports drinks as much as possible. (This helps keep your natural teeth bright as well.) Porcelain veneers may be a better option if you are concerned about staining.

This material can also be more fragile than a veneer or crown and can chip. For the best and longest-lasting results, avoid biting your nails, or chewing on ice or other hard food objects. In general, these are good tips even if you have not had any dental bonding done. If you do notice that it feels odd biting down or if you develop a sharp edge on your bonded tooth, it is important to call us.

Quick, Non-Invasive Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental bonding is an excellent procedure for fixing minor damage and cosmetic problems with your teeth. At Smith Dentalworks, we will take the time to get to know your needs and help you choose the treatment that best fits you. We can meet with you, examine your teeth, and discuss how dental bonding or another cosmetic procedure can help improve your smile.

Contact our Oro Valley dentist office today to schedule an appointment to learn more about dental bonding and other dental procedures.