Do you have chips or cracks in your tooth enamel? Are your minor cosmetic imperfections impacting the look of your smile? Try teeth bonding in our Bladenboro, NC dental office. Dr. Shannon French and her experienced dental team offer cosmetic dentistry solutions that address the look and feel of the smile.
Dental bonding uses a biocompatible material that is molded and sculpted onto the teeth. This treatment can cover tooth stains, address chips or cracks in the enamel, and lengthen short teeth.
Dental Bonding Treatment
To begin, we use a local anesthetic to numb the treated area. Then we lightly remove a bit of enamel from the tooth or teeth receiving treatment. This is done to create a good bonding surface for the composite resin. We will then mold the composite resin onto the tooth into the desired shape. The resin is then cured with light and heat.
We polish the tooth and ensure that it matches the rest of your natural teeth. Color-matching the resin helps create a uniform and balanced look.
Dental bonding is best for small cosmetic concerns. Porcelain veneers are another alternative that works best for patients with larger areas of damage. Although dental veneers typically last longer than tooth bonding treatment, they are more costly and often require a longer treatment time.
How to Care for Bonded Teeth
Be gentle on your teeth after you receive tooth bonding treatment. The bonding material can chip if you chew ice, eat hard foods, or bite your nails. For the first 48 hours following your dental bonding treatment, avoid drinking beverages or eating foods that can stain the bonding material.
Tea, wine, berries, tomatoes, and coffee are some of the most common foods and beverages that contain chromogens, pigments that stain the tooth enamel. Remember to keep up your oral hygiene routine and schedule regular dental appointments. Our team can help maintain your results and keep your teeth healthy and clean.
Tooth Bonding FAQs
Is tooth bonding a permanent restoration?
No, one of the unique things about dental bonding is that it’s completely removable and reversible. If you decide that you no longer want the restoration or are ready to try something more permanent, we can take care of that at any time.
How long does tooth bonding last?
On average, tooth bonding lasts around three to seven years. The length of time it lasts depends on the size and location of the tooth in your mouth, as well as how well you take care of it. If you’re diligent with your oral health, bonding can last even longer.
How soon after the bonding process am I able to eat and drink?
You’re able to eat and drink directly after your appointment. The resin used for bonding is completely cured during the in-office process. However, we recommend avoiding foods and drinks that can stain the bonding material in the first 48 hours. During this time, the material is especially susceptible to staining.
Is there anything I can’t do with tooth bonding?
The bonding material is like your natural teeth surface in that it can stain over time. Unlike natural teeth, however, traditional whitening techniques won’t work on the bonding material. Though it’s resilient, bonding material can also chip or break. Try to avoid biting down on hard foods with your bonded tooth. Chewing ice and hard candies makes it more likely that the material will chip.
How do I take care of bonded teeth?
Dental bonding is a pretty low-maintenance procedure. Simply keep up with regular brushing and flossing, as well as visiting your dentist regularly. If there are any issues developing with the bonding material, your dentist can catch them ahead of time and make sure they’re remedied.
Is dental bonding noticeable?
When it comes to the way it feels in your mouth, dental bonding may feel odd for the first week or two. It feels like your tooth is somehow bigger, but it’ll start to feel natural after this initial stretch of time.
Bonding isn’t noticeable when it’s first done as dentists polish the material so that it looks like a natural tooth. However, bonding can stain over time and may start to appear as a different color compared to the rest of your tooth.
How long does the dental bonding procedure take?
Dental bonding can usually be done in just one visit to our office. It’s a non-invasive procedure, so you also don’t have to worry about any downtime after the procedure. You can go right back to regular activities. However, if you’re getting dental bonding on multiple teeth, you may need to schedule a couple of appointments. Bonding for one tooth typically takes about 30-60 minutes.
Am I an ideal candidate for dental bonding?
One of the best things about dental bonding is that almost everyone is eligible for the treatment. Since it’s temporary, even children can get their teeth bonded. It’s one of the more cost-effective dental treatments, so it’s also an affordable one when you need a dental fix on a budget. There are a wide variety of dental problems that bonding can be a solution as well.
Request a Tooth Bonding Consultation Today
Treat chips and cracks in your smile with tooth bonding treatment. Call our dental office at 910-469-4592 or schedule a dental appointment with our team online.