Do you have a chip in a front tooth? Are you looking for a way to address tooth injuries to create a balanced, complete smile? Dental bonding can cover tooth imperfections and help prevent further damage to injured teeth. Dr. Cynthia Elderkin and Dr. Claudel Giggey provide teeth bonding treatment to patients in Raleigh, NC, and the surrounding areas. Tooth bonding is one of the cosmetic dental treatments that uses tooth-colored composite materials to straighten, brighten, and add more structure to the smile.
What Can Dental Bonding Treat?
Patients can treat multiple cosmetic problems with bonding. Dental bonding treatment can address:
- Tooth chips and cracks
- Discoloration and staining
- Shortened teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Broken or fractured teeth
Please call our office if you have any of these problems and are interested in bonding treatment. We work with patients to find the best treatments for their smiles.
Benefits of Dental Bonding
Bonding offers many benefits. Teeth bonding treatment:
Improves Your Smile
If you have small chips, cracks, or even small gaps between your teeth, dental bonding can help! The bonding material is carefully shaped and smoothed to make your teeth look whole and even again. Bonding can also cover stained teeth so your smile looks brighter and more balanced.
Provides Quick and Simple Treatment
Dental bonding is one of the fastest cosmetic dental treatments. In most cases, the dentist can complete the bonding in just one visit, usually in under an hour for each tooth. You don’t need any custom lab work or follow-up appointments, making bonding a great option for busy schedules.
Offers Non-Invasive Care
Bonding doesn’t usually require drilling or removal of much natural tooth structure. It’s a very gentle process where the dentist lightly scuffs the tooth to help the bonding material stick, then layers on the composite resin. This means the procedure is often pain-free, and you usually don’t need any numbing or anesthesia.
Provides an Affordable Option
Compared to other cosmetic treatments like veneers or crowns, dental bonding is one of the more affordable ways to make your smile look better. If you want to make improvements without spending a lot, bonding is a budget-friendly choice that still gives great results.
Creates a Natural Look
The resin used in dental bonding is made to match the color of your natural teeth. Once it’s applied and polished, it blends seamlessly with your smile. Most people won’t be able to tell you’ve had any work done—it will look just like your natural teeth.
How Does Bonding Compare to Veneers?
Veneers and bonding treat similar problems but have several differences. Dental veneers are thin shells we bond to the teeth in the smile zone. They can cover tooth gaps, slightly cooked teeth, and stained teeth. While veneers can last longer than bonding, they are irreversible. You must be committed to changing your natural teeth for veneers.
Bonding is a great option for patients who want to treat more minor cosmetic concerns. One of the big advantages of bonding is that it is reversible. If you ever want to change it or remove it, it can be done without much impact on your natural teeth. Tooth bonding also costs less than veneer treatment.
Teeth Bonding Treatment in Raleigh, NC
Before starting the bonding process, we’ll make sure your teeth and gums are healthy. If we notice any issues like cavities, tooth infections, or gum disease, we’ll treat these first. You need to be in good health before bonding to make sure the treatment lasts.
Preparation
Once your teeth are healthy, we’ll start the bonding treatment by cleaning your teeth thoroughly. Then, we will lightly etch the tooth enamel. We may also reshape the tooth to create the right bonding surface.
We’ll then choose a bonding material that matches the shade you want for a natural look that blends seamlessly with the rest of your teeth.
Applying the Bonding Material
Next, we carefully apply the bonding material to your teeth. Our team will sculpt and shape the material to make sure it fits the natural contours of your smile, whether we’re fixing a chip, filling in a gap, or covering discoloration.
Final Adjustments
After we shape the bonding material, we’ll double-check its shape and color to ensure it looks perfect. Then, we use a special curing light to harden the bonding material, so it becomes strong and durable. Finally, we polish the bonded tooth to give it a nice, natural sheen.
How to Care for Bonded Teeth
Taking care of bonded teeth can help them last longer and stay looking great. Here are some tips to keep your bonded teeth in good shape:
- Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks: Bonded teeth can stain just like natural teeth, so try to limit foods and drinks that can cause discoloration. This includes coffee, tea, red wine, tomato sauces, and dark-colored berries. Rinsing your mouth or brushing your teeth after having these can help reduce staining.
- Be Careful with Hard Foods: Bonded teeth are strong, but they can chip or crack if you bite down on very hard foods. Try to avoid chewing on things like nuts, hard candy, and even popcorn kernels. They can damage the bonding material.
- Break Bad Habits: Do not bite your nails, chew on pens, or use your teeth to open packages. Also, avoid chewing on ice after your treatment. These habits can wear down or even crack the bonding on your teeth.
- Brush and Floss Gently: Take extra care when brushing and flossing bonded teeth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid scratching the bonding material, and brush gently. When flossing, slide the floss carefully to protect the edges of the bonding.
- Use Gentle Toothpaste: Some toothpaste can be abrasive, which might wear down the bonding over time. Look for toothpaste that’s labeled “non-abrasive” or gentle on sensitive teeth. It will be safer for bonded teeth.
Schedule a Dental Appointment
Do you have an injured tooth? Are you looking for a way to cover a single stained tooth? Ask us about teeth bonding treatment in our Raleigh, NC, dental office. Call today at 919.295.0936. You may also request a dental consultation with Dr. Elderkin or Dr. Giggey online.
Please let us know if you have questions about your cosmetic dental options. We will be glad to help you.