Do you want a brighter smile? Have you chipped a tooth? Tooth bonding is a cosmetic dentistry treatment that can address multiple problems at once. It is a simple treatment that dentists use to address minor cosmetic concerns but can deliver amazing results. We provide teeth bonding in Cary, NC for patients who want to improve the appearance of their smile. Dr. Emily Ann Reece is a talented cosmetic dentist at Reedy Creek Family and Cosmetic Dentistry.
What is Teeth Bonding?
Teeth bonding, also called dental bonding, is a tooth-colored composite resin material that is applied to a tooth to fix certain cosmetic concerns. The bonding material is malleable, so when your dentist applies it to the surface of a tooth, they can mold it into the proper shape. This can help improve the appearance of the tooth.
To give our patients the most natural-looking, durable result, we use a composite resin material that can be color-matched to blend seamlessly with their natural teeth. With the right dental care and maintenance, tooth bonding can last patients for up to ten years.
The teeth bonding procedure is relatively quick and non-invasive. Your dentist can complete it in a single office visit. It is often used to address cosmetic issues such as:
- Repairing chipped or cracked teeth
- Closing small gaps between teeth
- Improving the appearance of discolored or stained teeth
- Reshaping uneven or misshapen teeth
- Protecting exposed tooth roots due to gum recession
About the Tooth Bonding Procedure
Before treatment, Dr. Reece will review your oral health history, budget, and goals to make sure that tooth bonding is right for you. If you qualify, the next step is to prepare your tooth for treatment and select the shade of bonding composite resin that will best match the natural color of your tooth.
Dr. Reece will prepare the tooth receiving treatment by removing a small amount of tooth enamel to roughen up the surface of the tooth. She will also apply a conditioning liquid. This helps the bonding material adhere effectively to the tooth.
Then your dentist will apply the bonding material to the tooth. Dr. Reece will shape the biocomposite material and sculpt it on the tooth until the desired appearance is achieved. The goal is to mimic the shape and size of natural teeth for a natural look.
Once the composite resin is in place and the tooth looks good, your dentist will use a special curing light to harden and bond the material to the tooth’s surface. This light will activate the bonding agents in the resin to bond it to the tooth’s structure. Multiple layers of bonding materials can be applied this way to achieve the desired thickness and shape.
The final step is to shape the polish the tooth. Minor touch-ups may need to be made to ensure the material blends in seamlessly with the surrounding teeth.
The Benefits of Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is often recognized as a more cost-effective option compared to porcelain veneers. They’re also useful if you’re looking for a temporary fix, testing out a restoration before you’re ready to commit to a permanent one. On average, dental bonding lasts around 3-10 years, depending on where it is in the mouth and how you take care of it.
Because bonding material is malleable, it makes it easy to take care of many oral health issues. For instance, if you have a chipped tooth, the material can be molded to fix the chip and make it look natural. It can go fully over a tooth as well, for misshapen or discolored teeth. Your dentist is always able to mold the material into a shape that looks natural for your smile.
The bonding material is able to be color-matched as well. Whether you’re looking for it to blend perfectly with the rest of your teeth or you’re looking to make them whiter, dental bonding can do the trick. In particular, it’s nice to get bonding with a brighter shade to see if it fits your smile well.
Dental Bonding FAQs
To learn more about the dental bonding treatment, please read through our frequently asked questions. If you still have questions or concerns, please call our office for assistance.
Is dental bonding better than dental veneers?
Dental bonding and dental veneers can be used for mostly the same purposes, but vary in price and longevity. Tooth bonding is more of a temporary fix than a permanent restoration. During your consultation with Dr. Reece, she will help you determine if tooth bonding or porcelain veneers are best for you.
Can I use dental bonding to fix a crooked smile?
Some patients may use dental bonding to cosmetically fix a single crooked tooth or two. However, orthodontics can work for multiple or severely crooked teeth.
Is tooth bonding permanent?
No, dental bonding is not permanent. However, with proper care, your bonded tooth can last many years. Dr. Reece can work with you and explore your options if you want to try a more permanent solution in the future.
Can children get their teeth bonded?
Yes, since the bonding material is removable, children are eligible for this treatment. Bonding can be used for both primary and permanent teeth. Because children’s teeth are still developing, their oral health needs are different. A permanent solution is not an acceptable treatment for this reason. Dental bonding is actually the best solution for a child.
How long after the procedure do I have to wait to eat?
You don’t have to wait to eat or drink after dental bonding. The curing process hardens the resin used and you’re able to eat and drink right away. We do recommend, though, that you wait 48 hours to eat anything that can stain, as the material is more susceptible in these early stages.
Can I whiten my bonded teeth?
Dental bonding material doesn’t respond to traditional whitening techniques. It’s also susceptible to staining. If your bonded tooth becomes stained, we can remove the bonding material and replace it with new material that’s color-matched to the rest of your smile.
Am I a good candidate for dental bonding?
Almost everyone is a good candidate for tooth bonding. It’s one of the most accessible dental procedures. It’s a removable solution and is ideal for patients that aren’t ready to commit to a permanent restoration. Dental bonding is cost-effective and one of the most affordable dental treatments. Dr. Reece performs a full evaluation to see if bonding is the right choice for your needs.
Schedule a Consultation for Teeth Bonding in Cary, NC
Call Reedy Creek Family and Cosmetic Dentistry today at 919-646-6294 to book an consultation for teeth bonding in Cary, NC. You can also request an appointment on our website.