Your smile is unique, and one of cosmetic dentistry’s main goals is to help you retain that uniqueness. Rather than completely changing your smile, cosmetic treatment brings out your smile’s natural beauty by discreetly correcting imperfections.
For instance, tooth bonding, which is the art of subtly rejuvenating a tooth through the use of biocompatible resin, can fix a number of cosmetic issues while remaining virtually undetectable. With its lifelike finish and minimally invasive nature, tooth bonding can do wonders for your smile’s appearance in several different ways.
Cosmetic dentist Dr. Heather Adams offers dental bonding as part of her comprehensive cosmetic services offered at her Bentonville, AR area dentist office. A thorough oral health exam and consultation will be completed prior to treatment to ensure a stable and healthy smile.
Dental Bonding in AR
Adults and children can repair damage or improve the aesthetic of their smiles with dental bonding. A highly malleable material, the bonding can be colored and shaped to match your adjacent teeth to create a natural end result.
Dental bonding is an ideal cosmetic solution for growing smiles too! Children and teens often choose dental bonding to restore a chipped or cracked tooth, or to reshape an oblong tooth. Dental bonding provides beautiful results without the financial commitment or permanence of dental veneers.
Dental bonding can be used to:
- Close gaps between teeth
- Reshape a tooth
- Whiten a discolored tooth
Improve the Color of Your Tooth
Tooth bonding utilizes tooth-colored composite resin. This resin is a biocompatible mixture of finely ground acrylic and quartz-like particles. Before applying the resin, your dentist will carefully tint the material to closely match the healthy color of your teeth. In many cases, bonding can be utilized to improve a tooth that is severely stained or discolored when teeth whitening doesn’t work.
Rebuild Your Tooth’s Strength
When a tooth is worn down, chipped, or cracked, its structural integrity is compromised, and it becomes more likely to suffer more damage. Not to mention, the blemish can significantly impact the tooth’s appearance. If your tooth isn’t so damaged that it requires a dental crown, then tooth bonding may provide a more conservative option for boosting your tooth’s strength and protecting it from further harm.
Treat a Cavity Without Anyone Knowing
In addition to cosmetic treatment, the tooth-colored composite resin is also a popular alternative to metal for treating tooth decay and cavities. By placing the resin inside your cleaned and prepared cavity, your dentist can create a tooth-colored filling that bonds more securely to your tooth than metal amalgam. The resin also blends in with your smile, so your filling will remain discreet even if placed in a highly visible tooth.
Tooth Bonding Treatment
While a highly durable and affordable option, dental bonding is intended as a temporary dental solution. Most dental bonding patients will require maintenance or repair after about ten years. If you are looking to improve your smile but want a more permanent solution, ask Dr. Adams about custom porcelain veneers.
Dental bonding is a malleable material applied directly to the tooth’s surface. A minimal amount of tooth material will be removed to make space for the bonding agent.
Dr. Adams molds the material into the desired shape. Dr. Adams will communicate with patients to ensure a satisfactory result. Once the patient approves, Dr. Adams uses a special light to activate the hardening agent in the bonding. The tooth is polished to a natural shine.
Dental Bonding FAQs
Does the teeth bonding procedure hurt?
No, this procedure is relatively painless. In most cases, Dr. Adams will not even need to numb the patient. You may experience some discomfort or tooth sensitivity after your appointment, however. If that is the case for you, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed.
How long is the recovery time?
Since the resin cures completely with the special light that activates the hardening agent, you may return to your regular daily activities when you leave your appointment.
How long will the bonding last?
A patient who takes very good care of their teeth can make their bonding last up to ten years. Good oral hygiene is the key to making any dental work last for many years.
How long will the procedure take?
Tooth bonding typically only requires one appointment. One tooth can be treated in about 30 to 60 minutes. However, if you need multiple teeth treated, you may need to schedule more than one appointment.