Bonding
Dental bonding is a simple, non-invasive cosmetic dentistry procedure that can be used to address a variety of minor cosmetic concerns to improve the overlook look of a patient’s smile.
What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is made of a special type of composite resin that is dyed to match a patient’s natural tooth color and blend in seamlessly. This material can be applied to a patient’s teeth in thin layers or in larger quantities to be molded, shaped, and contoured.
What Issues Can Dental Bonding Address?
Dental bonding is primarily used to address minor cosmetic concerns, such as:
- Covering stains and discoloration
- Covering small cracks in teeth
- Recontouring a chipped tooth
- Filling in small gaps between teeth
- Reshaping an irregularly shaped tooth
In addition to addressing a variety of minor cosmetic concerns, dental bonding can also be used to help address tooth sensitivity caused by thinning enamel or receding gums that expose the dentin of the teeth.
What to Expect When Getting Dental Bonding
The process of getting dental bonding is quick, non-invasive, and pain-free. The process begins with an initial consultation during which Dr. Bock talks with our patients about their concerns and treatment expectations.
We then determine the patient’s tooth color and select a color of dental bonding resin to match perfectly.
Depending on the state of the tooth to be treated and the potential level of sensitivity, numbing with a local anesthetic may or may not be required to prevent any discomfort during the treatment.
The tooth to be treated is then prepared by being thoroughly cleaned and dried. Additionally, the dentist might need to make some minor scoring (scratching) on the surface of the tooth’s enamel to encourage a stronger bond between the enamel and the dental bonding material.
The dentist then applies the composite resin to the tooth, shapes it, and smooths it. Once the desired shape, contour, and surface texture have been achieved, the dentist applies a special light to the dental bonding to cure and harden it.
If the dental bonding covers a tooth’s chewing surface or affects a patient’s bite, we then ask the patient to bite down and sand the dental bonding until the patient’s bite feels comfortable and natural.
How Is Dental Bonding Different From Dental Veneers?
Although the two cosmetic treatments address some of the same concerns, dental bonding is quite different from dental veneers. For example, dental bonding is not a permanent treatment, and the dental bonding procedure is less complex and not at all invasive compared to the process of getting dental veneers. Dental bonding is also typically less expensive than veneers.
For a complete smile makeover that changes the look of every tooth, dental veneers are typically the preferred option because their porcelain material offers a more natural look compared to that of dental bonding’s composite resin.
Improve Your Smile With Dental Bonding in Loveland, CO
If there are aspects of your smile with which you are unhappy, we strongly encourage you to contact Northern Colorado Prosthetic Dentistry to schedule a consultation with Dr. Andrew Bock. We can talk with you about your smile goals and treatment expectations and provide you with a recommended treatment plan designed to help you get a smile you feel like smiling about.
