What is Teeth Bonding?
As your trusted dentist in Laurel, MD, we are happy to provide tooth bonding services for all ages. Our bonding procedure utilizes a tooth-colored composite resin to repair a variety of cosmetic blemishes on your teeth. By using this treatment, your dentist can repair chipped or broken teeth, fill in gaps and reshape or recolor your smile.
This is a minimally-invasive procedure that is multifunctional, and an economical cosmetic dentistry option. Our patients love tooth bonding because it is an effective way to transform their smiles in a fast and budget-friendly way.
Tooth Bonding in Laurel, MD
A Solution For Many Concerns
One of the best things about teeth bonding is that it can be used for a wide variety of dental issues. On the cosmetic side, bonding can take care of discolored teeth that may not respond to traditional whitening techniques. This includes teeth stained by medications or discolored due to trauma of the tooth. Small chips and cracks can be filled in with bonding material to smooth out the edges of your tooth again.
Bonding can also help if you have gaps between your teeth. It’s moldable and malleable, so it’s able to be used in any space. If you have a gummy smile, bonding can be used to lengthen the teeth and balance out your smile more. Misshapen teeth or teeth that have defects are also able to be taken care of with bonding.
In addition to it being able to take care of a lot of issues, it also is something accessible for a variety of different patients. Since it’s temporary and completely removable, it can even be used for children. It’s one of the most cost-effective options as well, partially because it’s not a permanent solution. If you’re not sure about dental restoration, this allows you to try it out in a temporary fashion, with no consequences.
Tooth Bonding FAQs
How does tooth bonding work?
Tooth bonding works similarly to a dental filling, though on a smaller scale. Tooth bonding is most appropriate for filling in small blemishes on the fronts of teeth. This can be especially beneficial for patients who have stained teeth that are resistant to teeth whitening solutions. Additionally, dental bonding can be used to fill in minor chips as long as the damage is not too extensive.
How long does tooth bonding last?
The lifespan of the composite, tooth-colored resin depends largely on your oral hygiene habits. Typically, teeth bonding material lasts anywhere from three years up to about ten years before needing to be touched up or replaced.
How does the bonding stick to my tooth?
Your tooth will be slightly etched to create very small crevices in the tooth’s enamel structure. These small crevices provide a rough surface that allows the resin to bond to your teeth more easily. The resin is then placed on your tooth and hardened using ultraviolet light. After several coasts have been applied to your tooth, the resin is then sculpted to fit your tooth and finely polished to blend in seamlessly with your natural smile.
How much does tooth bonding cost?
Most of the time, tooth bonding is covered by dental insurance, but there is a chance it may not. In that case, you will be required to pay for the treatment out of pocket. When addressing tooth damage or dental health concern, insurance is likely to cover a percentage of the treatments.
Bonding is also used for many cosmetic reasons as an alternative to the more expensive option of dental veneers. We will discuss all aspects of your teeth bonding procedure, including cost, prior to your treatment. We work with patients to estimate their portion of the total cost.
Am I eligible for tooth bonding?
One of the best things about tooth bonding is that almost everyone is eligible for it. It’s even useful for pediatric patients because it’s a temporary solution. It’s able to be completely removed if you desire. Bonding treats a wide variety of conditions, as well. It’s one of the most affordable cosmetic dentistry solutions. After an exam at our office, we’ll determine if it’s a good solution for you.
How long do I have to wait after the bonding procedure to eat or drink?
You’re set to eat or drink right after your appointment is over. However, we recommend you avoid foods or beverages that can stain for the first 48 hours. The bonding material is most susceptible to staining during this time.
Can I whiten my bonded teeth?
Bonding material won’t respond to traditional whitening techniques. Over-the-counter and professional bleaching solutions are only designed to work on natural teeth. The only way to whiten the bonding material is to cover or replace it with new bonding material that’s color-matched to your desired shade.
How strong is the tooth bonding material?
While it’s very strong, it’s not quite as strong as your natural tooth enamel. It holds up well to daily wear and tear though. Try to avoid biting down while using your bonded tooth or teeth. Biting straight down on something like hard candy or ice is the most dangerous thing you can do to the bonding material.
Schedule a Dental Exam Today
Laurel Smiles Dental Care is your premier cosmetic dentistry in Laurel, MD for comprehensive dental services. We see patients of all ages and are currently accepting new patients. Give us a call at 301-200-1315 or request an appointment online today.