Do you have one tooth that affects the look of your whole smile? Try bonding. We may recommend tooth bonding to correct minor dental health and cosmetic concerns such as chips, cracks, and spaces between teeth. Teeth bonding is a fast, affordable treatment that is usually completed in a single visit to our Columbia, MD dental office.
Bonding is one of the many cosmetic dentistry treatments Howard County Smiles offers. If you want an alternative to veneers or crowns, we will recommend bonding.
What is Tooth Bonding?
When a dentist with a skilled hand and an artistic eye provides dental bonding treatment, the patient will find it impossible to distinguish the bonded tooth from its neighbors. Our experienced cosmetic dentist near you can help patients achieve natural-looking results with teeth bonding.
Bonding uses tooth-colored materials to improve the appearance of one or more teeth. Dr. Becker can use tooth bonding to correct:
- Spaces between teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Minor chips, cracks, or damage to teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Tooth cavities
How Does It Work?
Bonding uses tooth-colored materials to replace missing tooth structure. It can also hide cosmetically unappealing minor defects in a tooth — chips, discoloration, and even minor spacing irregularities. We call bonding materials “composite resins” because they contain a mixture of plastic and glass, which adds strength and translucency. The composite actually bonds, or becomes one, with the rest of the tooth.
About the Teeth Bonding Procedure
Your dentist can complete a teeth bonding procedure during a single visit to our Columbia, MD dental office. On average, it takes about an hour to complete. We will select a composite resin color that will closely match the color of your natural teeth for virtually unnoticeable treatment.
To prepare the tooth (or teeth) for bonding, our dentist will lightly roughen the surface. He will also add a conditioning liquid to help the resin adhere to the tooth. Next, he will directly apply tooth-colored composite resin and sculpt it into the desired shape by hand.
Teeth bonding requires the precision and artistic ability of a skilled cosmetic dentist to complete the work freehand, without the use of molds or impressions. Our dentist will use a special light to harden the material. He will trim, shape, and polish it to match the sheen of the rest of the tooth surface.
Tooth Bonding FAQs
Teeth bonding is a versatile restoration that can treat many issues in our Columbia, MD. Read the answers to these frequently asked questions to learn more.
How long does tooth bonding last?
Tooth bonding is not a permanent treatment, but your results can last several years with proper oral hygiene and routine dental care. Remember that the composite we use for tooth bonding can absorb stains like a natural tooth, so avoid tobacco use and dark foods and beverages.
Does tooth bonding hurt?
Tooth bonding does not hurt. Although some people may experience discomfort during the first few days after tooth bonding, most patients do not report any pain from the procedure. Our dental care team ensures patients receive exceptional dental treatment in a safe, comfortable environment.
Can I whiten tooth bonding?
While the composite can become dark over time, the dentist can not brighten it up. If you are considering a teeth whitening procedure, it should be done before your tooth is bonded. That way, we can select a composite shade to match the lighter color of your whitened teeth. We will match your bonding to the rest of your teeth for a natural look.
How strong is dental bonding?
While it isn’t as strong as your tooth enamel, bonding material is meant to hold up to the everyday wear and tear our teeth take. It can last 10 years or more with proper care. However, it can chip and damage if you’re biting down hard or ripping packages open with the bonded tooth.
Can I get tooth bonding for advanced dental issues?
No. We do not recommend using tooth bonding to fix serious tooth or gum damage. You will need a stronger, more permanent solution. If damage to the teeth is more significant, or you desire a permanent result, we may recommend a dental crown or porcelain veneers. We will examine your teeth to find the right treatment to repair your teeth.
How does dental bonding compare to dental veneers?
Many people compare tooth bonding and veneers because both treatments can cover tooth stains, tooth gaps, chipped teeth, and other cosmetic problems. However, these cosmetic treatments have many differences. Bonding is best for small cosmetic problems and typically can cover one or two teeth. Veneers can cover one or all teeth in the smile line.
While veneers last longer, bonding is less expensive. Dental veneers also require more tooth preparation and are irreversible. However, we can easily remove bonding material if needed.
Am I a good candidate for tooth bonding?
We recommend bonding treatment if you have minor cosmetic dental issues like a single stained tooth, small tooth chips, or small gaps between teeth.
One of the best things about this restoration is that almost every patient is eligible for it. Bonding is removable, making it something that can treat children’s dental problems, too. Teeth bonding is also incredibly affordable, making it easily attainable for more patients. If you have issues like tooth decay, we will need to get that under control before moving forward with bonding.
Schedule a Dental Exam and Consultation
We focus on providing personalized and comprehensive care for those who want to improve their smile. If you are looking to improve your smile, we offer a variety of services in our Columbia, MD, dentist office near you.
Howard County Smiles Family Dentistry offers consultations to discuss your dental concerns and evaluate your oral health. We offer teeth bonding in our Columbia, MD, area dentist office.
Call us today at (410) 415-9013 or schedule your appointment online! Let us know if you have questions about bonding treatment or have current cosmetic concerns. We will be glad to help you.