Dental bonding is one of the most versatile treatments options for restoring teeth that are discolored, chipped, or even slightly misshapen. Many of our patients are surprised to learn that the cosmetic treatment option uses the same composite resin that restores teeth following cavity treatment.
Your trusted Versailles dentist offers dental bonding in addition to teeth cleaning, veneers, and dentures. If you are looking for an affordable cosmetic dentistry treatment, we’ll explore the many benefits and uses of dental bonding.
What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding, also known as teeth bonding, uses an advanced and special composite resin that can be color-matched to your teeth. Once hardened, the material takes on the luster and color of enamel.
Dentists use the material to restore teeth and to address cosmetic issues. For restorative procedures, the bonding replaces lost tooth structure.
For cosmetic uses, the bonding can cover areas of discoloration. Dentists also use bonding to enhance the size and shape of a tooth.
How Is Dental Bonding Placed?
Dental bonding begins as a malleable putty-like substance. Before your dentist places the bonding on your tooth, it is carefully color-matched with your teeth.
Color-Matching The Resin
Once your dentist in Versailles has perfectly matched the shade of your tooth, your dentist will prepare your tooth. To ensure that the bonding maintains a strong bond with your tooth, the dentist uses a special etching liquid to prep the surface of your tooth.
Placing And Shaping The Resin
Once the surface is ready, your Versailles family dentist will artfully place the bonding material on the surface of your tooth. Your dentist will take extra care to ensure that the material fits and matches the natural shape and contours of your tooth.
Hardening And Making Minor Adjustments To The Bonding
Then, your dentist will use a special blue light to harden the resin. At this point, the resin matches the strength of the surrounding enamel. The dentist can then adjust or polish the bonding once the resin hardens.
Your dentist will check to ensure that the resin does not interfere with your normal bite.
What Can Dental Bonding Treat?
Dental bonding may be best known as a filler for cavities, but the material has several cosmetic uses. Bonding is often an affordable alternative to veneers and crowns.
Gaps Between Teeth
Gaps between teeth can be embarrassing. Few of us can pull off the look as well as Madonna does. If you are tired of looking at your diastema in the mirror, our dentist can artfully place dental bonding to close the gap.
Our dentist will carefully build the composite resin on either side of the gap so that it closes the space in a manner that is natural-looking.
Discoloration
Dental bonding is also a great treatment for addressing discoloration. Intrinsic stains cannot be removed through brushing alone, and even some stains may not respond to teeth whitening treatments.
Bonding can brighten those dark areas. Your dentist can mix the dental bonding so that it brightens and whitens areas of your teeth. Bonding is fairly resistant to stains, but you’ll still want to maintain good oral hygiene habits while cutting back on drinks that can stain your teeth.
Minor Chips
Minor chips can be a cosmetic concern and a potential oral health risk. Any time the layer of enamel is compromised, you are at greater risk of developing a cavity. Chips can even lead to the need for a root canal.
To protect your tooth and address cosmetic issues, one of our doctors can prep the surface of the chip and apply dental bonding to replace the lost tooth structure. Once the treatment is completed, no one will know that you had dental work done.
That’s one of the great benefits of using dental bonding. The results match the natural color and luster of enamel.
Is Dental Bonding Right For Me?
If you are searching for a dentist near me who applies dental bonding, you should understand some alternative treatment options before making a final decision. If you already use our office for Versailles family dentistry then you can ask one of our dentists when you visit for check-ups and cleanings.
Dental bonding has many advantages, but there are also a few drawbacks. Bonding is highly affordable. It may only last for a few years, though.
Dental Bonding Lifespan
At some point, you’ll need to replace your bonding. You may get several years of use out of your bonding treatment at most. The good news is that replacing the bonding is a fairly quick and affordable option.
Veneers
One alternative cosmetic treatment involves placing thin porcelain shells on the front of anterior teeth. Veneers last longer than dental bonding, but the treatment requires that a dentist removes a small layer of enamel.
By comparison, dental bonding is completely non-invasive. Your natural tooth structure is preserved and even protected by the placement of bonding.
Bridges And Dental Implants
If you have lost a tooth, you will require restorative treatment like a dental bridge or dental implant. A dental implant replaces a lost tooth root.
Meet Your Versailles Dentist For Teeth cleaning, Veneers, And Dentures
You can rely on your Versailles dentist to artfully place dental bonding to address chips and minor cosmetic issues. With regular dental cleanings, your dental bonding can last several years.
Are you looking for a dental home that provides a wide range of dental services like veneers and dentures? Our family dentistry team is dedicated to ensuring that our patients are cared for and heard. Schedule your appointment today.