Cosmetic bonding refers to restorations made from a composite resin material and is used similarly to porcelain veneers and onlays. The cosmetic bonding requires no outside lab procedure and is built directly onto the tooth structure. The results are truly amazing!
Bonding is durable, tissue compatible, kind to the opposing teeth, and stain-resistant. Fischl Dental Associates is able to make absolutely the thinnest restoration possible. Cosmetic bonding allows us to preserve the greatest amount of natural tooth structure, and usually minimal or no numbing is required. Exquisite natural aesthetics are achieved, a result of the light-transmitting qualities found in natural teeth. Bonding is most often used to close spaces between teeth, replace worn or missing enamel, repair chipped or broken teeth, reshape misaligned or crooked teeth, and cover discolored or permanent teeth.
Composite bonding is also used to fill cavities and to replace existing mercury-silver fillings. In fact, our office believes that composite bonding is a superior material to mercury silver fillings, and we have been mercury-free for several years.
Understanding The Dental Bonding Process
If you are looking for a more shapely, bright smile, dental bonding is a simple, non-invasive cosmetic procedure that produces beautiful results. Multiple teeth can be treated in just a single procedure, and the appearance of many teeth can be improved with a minimal amount of time in the dentist’s chair.
To begin your dental bonding treatment, Dr. Paul Fischl or Dr. Marie Bradley Fischl will select a shade of composite dental resin based on the color of your natural teeth. Then, your tooth will be buffed and prepared for the procedure. Dr. Fischl will then apply a special dental resin, which is a soft and putty-like material, directly to your tooth. This resin will be molded and smoothed into the desired shape to give your tooth a more aesthetically pleasing look. You can think of this part of the process like a sculptor and his clay.
The resin will be hardened using a special UV light, which permanently bonds it to the surface of the tooth. Once it has hardened completely, our doctors will polish the resin to match the rest of your teeth perfectly for a seamless finish. The entire process takes about 30-60 minutes per tooth.
The Benefits Of Dental Bonding
Dental bonding has a number of great benefits. Here are just a few of them.
- Non-invasive – No surgery, drilling, or needles are required for dental bonding, so it’s a great option if you have dental anxiety or do not like the idea of dental surgery.
- Instant results – Unlike some other treatments, you’ll get results immediately in just a single appointment.
- Restore your smile – Bonding can treat most aesthetic issues, from stains and minor tooth damage to crookedness, gaps in the teeth, and more.
- Little removal of enamel – The bonding process requires the removal of much less enamel than other treatments, such as veneers and crowns, preserving more of your natural tooth structure.
Am I A Good Candidate For Dental Bonding?
Bonding is is a great option for patients who want to correct cosmetic issues with their smiles, such as minor chips, misshapen or misaligned teeth, crooked teeth, gaps, or discolorations.
If you have serious oral health issues, such as infected teeth or gum disease, you may not be a good candidate for bonding until these problems are resolved. In addition, if you have bite problems or more severe orthodontic issues, other options like Invisalign® may be recommended instead of dental bonding.
The best way to find out if you’re a good candidate for dental bonding is to contact the team at Fischl Dental Associates for an appointment.