At Galleria Dental Aesthetics, we work hard to provide our patients with dental solutions that can either dramatically improve a smile or provide subtle repairs to problem teeth. One such procedure that has been very successful is Alexandria tooth bonding.
What Concerns Can Dental Bonding Fix?
Tooth bonding a process that can repair teeth that have become
- Chipped
- Broken
- Cracked
- Decayed
- Fractured
- Discolored
- Malaligned
- Misshapen
- Slightly crooked
The Art of Dental Bonding
During tooth bonding, a composite resin is used to cover and reshape problem teeth. Cosmetic Dentists in Northern Virginia, Dr. Lee, Dr. Oh and Dr. Mortazie are able to unleash their inner artists when performing tooth bonding techniques because this is essentially a free hand dental procedure.
Our cosmetic dentists first evaluate your smile to identify the unsatisfactory parts of the tooth. Then, we sculpt the composite resin in the proper size, shape and color to match your existing teeth. Artistic ability and sculpting precision are of the utmost importance in this procedure. Our patients are always thrilled with the results.
Preparing the Tooth for Bonding
Composite resin comes in varying colors that can be matched to your existing teeth. When the proper resin shade has been selected, we will prepare the tooth to receive the material by slightly abrading the tooth surface. An adhesive liquid agent is placed on the tooth to ensure a solid bond.
The resin is then applied to the tooth, shaped to the agreed upon specifications, smoothed and hardened with a high intensity curing light. The cosmetic dentist removes any excess resin and polishes the tooth until the right sheen is achieved.
Caring for Your Bonded Teeth
You should treat a bonded tooth like any other tooth. Daily brushing and flossing as well as regular professional cleanings and check-ups will help to extend the life of your bonded tooth. You should also avoid bad habits, such as biting or chewing hard substances to prevent your teeth from chipping.
It is also important to note that composite resin, unlike porcelain veneers, can stain with repeated use of cigarettes, coffee, tea or certain foods.
Dental Bonding FAQs
The composite resin we use at Galleria Dental Aesthetics comes in a wide variety of colors enabling us to precisely match your natural tooth color. That ensures the bonding will blend in completely with the surrounding teeth.
The intention between these two cosmetic procedures is similar — to cover existing cosmetic flaws on a tooth or teeth — but the method is completely different. As described above, for dental bonding our dentists use a composite resin that is painted onto the tooth and is sculpted to the desired shape. This is done in layers until Dr. Lee, Dr. Oh, or Dr. Lee are satisfied that the result looks great.
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental grade porcelain that are fabricated in a dental lab to precisely fit the front side of the tooth or teeth we are covering. Veneers are single piece restorations used on each individual tooth.
Another difference is the application. With dental bonding, we only slightly abrade the tooth surface to make better adhesion for the composite resin. For the placement of porcelain veneers, the tooth surface is shaved down (approximately 0.3mm to 0.5mm) to make room for the veneer to be attached to the tooth without adding bulk. This permanent removal of the enamel means the tooth will always need to be covered by a veneer (or a crown) moving forward.
Longevity is another difference. Composite bonding lasts for up to a decade. Porcelain veneers can last up to two decades. Veneers are more expensive than bonding due to that longevity and the cost of fabrication.
It’s important to remember that dental bonding is only a cosmetic procedure. It covers flaws such as chips, discoloration, issues with tooth shape, and the like, but it doesn’t correct them. It’s not unlike using makeup to cover a birthmark.
Issues with the health of a tooth or teeth, things such as decay, cannot be treated with dental bonding. A problem like decay needs to be addressed first before a patient could have bonded to improve the look of the tooth.
These are one-visit treatments. It takes just minutes to place and sculpt the composite resin and then cure it. This can be an extension of your regular twice-yearly cleaning and exam appointment, or you can schedule a separate appointment for bonding.
If you’re having the appearance of a single tooth improved with dental bonding, this can take under 30 minutes. If you’re having multiple teeth bonded, the appointment will take longer. The duration of your appointment depends on the amount of bonding we are doing.
Teeth whitening does not work on the composite resin. But composite resin is non-porous and is resistant to staining. Still, over time, it can stain. If it gets to the point where your bonded teeth no longer match your other teeth, the resin can be removed and redone.
The composite resin becomes virtually invisible once it is applied to a tooth. Composite resin fillings become indistinguishable from the rest of the natural tooth. Others won’t be able to see which of your teeth have dental bonding and which do not.
There is also an element of creativity with the application of the composite resin. Drs. Lee, Oh, and Lee sculpt the tooth shape to match the shape, size, and orientation of the natural tooth. You’ll love the look of your bonded tooth or teeth.
This is a topical application. The composite resin is applied only to the surface of the tooth or teeth. We only lightly etch the tooth surface to prepare it for the resin. None of this involves any pain, and there is no need for any anesthetic.
As you would assume, the cost of dental bonding depends on how much is being done. If you’re simply having a small chip bonded, that will be less expensive than having your teeth bonded. Once we know the extent of what you want to achieve, we will give you a precise idea of the cost.
Schedule a Consultation
If you would like to learn more about tooth bonding in Alexandria, please contact Galleria Dental Aesthetics for an initial teeth bonding consultation. We also welcome patients from Northern Virginia including Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington, and McLean.