Tooth bonding is a simple dental treatment used to address minimal cosmetic dentistry concerns. The dental bonding material is a composite resin that we mold and sculpt onto the tooth. To give our patients the most natural-looking result, we color-match this material with natural teeth.
Dental bonding can change the shape, color, and position of the teeth. Our goal is to restore the function and aesthetics of your smile with tooth bonding treatment in our Leland, NC dental office.
What Does Dental Bonding Treat?
At Waterford Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we use dental bonding to:
- Close spaces and gaps between teeth
- Fix chips, cracks, or damage to teeth
- Brighten stained or discolored teeth
- Lengthen short teeth
Contact our office if you want to address your cosmetic concerns with dental bonding. This treatment is an affordable option for patients who want more uniform and bright smiles. Dental bonding requires less tooth preparation and a quicker treatment time than other cosmetic options.
Dental Bonding Treatment
Tooth bonding is typically performed in just one visit to our Waterford office. We will prepare the surface of the tooth or teeth receiving treatment by removing some of the tooth enamel from the front of the tooth. Then we apply the tooth-colored resin and sculpt it into the desired shape. The resin is cured with light after we make sure that it feels comfortable and looks natural.
In many cases, tooth bonding is covered by dental insurance. Our office will work with you to determine your portion of the treatment cost and submit it for your direct reimbursement. Dental bonding can last for multiple years and may require small repairs over time. For the best results, continue to care for your teeth and visit our office for biannual visits.
Dental Bonding FAQs
How long does dental bonding last?
Dental bonding can last up to ten years if it’s properly taken care of. However, people have different lifestyle habits that can impact how long the bonding lasts. If you do things like brush and floss twice a day and visit the dentist regularly, your bonding treatment has more longevity.
How strong is dental bonding?
While it isn’t as strong as our tooth enamel, the bonding material is designed to stand up to everyday wear and tear for a long time. It can still chip or crack, though. Try to avoid things like hard food or candy, especially biting down on these things with the teeth that are bonded.
How do you protect dental bonding?
For starters, keep up with a regular oral healthcare routine and regular dentist visits. Avoid biting down on foods with the bonded teeth. While they can handle a lot of pressure, the more pressure placed on the bonding material, the more it’s likely to chip. Biting your nails can also damage the bonding material. Lastly, habits like smoking or regularly drinking coffee can stain the bonding material and limit the lifespan of it.
Can my bonding material be whitened?
No, professional teeth whitening techniques don’t work on bonding material. This is why it’s especially important to keep an eye on your habits and how they’re impacting the bonding material on your teeth.
Can dental bonding be removed?
Yes, this is one of the benefits of dental bonding. It’s a reversible process. If you decide you no longer want the bonding or want to try a different restoration, it can be removed at any time.
Does getting tooth bonding hurt?
No, tooth bonding shouldn’t hurt. If bonding material is used in an area that has a cavity, you may experience sensitivity due to nerve endings damaged by decay. Your tooth may feel a bit strange like it’s bigger and taking up more space in your mouth. This goes away within days, and soon you won’t even be able to tell that you have a bonded tooth.
How long do I have to wait to eat or drink after dental bonding?
You’re able to eat and drink immediately following the dental bonding procedure. However, we recommend avoiding smoking or drinking beverages that can stain for 48 hours after the treatment. The bonding material is especially susceptible to staining directly after treatment.
Am I a good candidate for tooth bonding?
Almost everyone is eligible to receive treatment with tooth bonding. It’s also one of the most affordable dental treatments you can get and you can get the treatment done in just one trip to our office.
Request a Dental Consultation
Do you want to address a stained tooth or a small chip in your enamel? Receive dental bonding treatment in our Waterford, North Carolina dental office today. Call 910-519-1624 or schedule an appointment with our team on our website. Please let us know if you have any remaining questions about teeth bonding. We are here to help.