Create a Radiant Smile with Dental Bonding
Your smile is how you greet the world. It’s right there, front and center making an impression on those you meet at work, school, or elsewhere. But what happens when you feel self-conscious of your smile? The answer is easier (and closer) than you think. Our West Columbus, OH, cosmetic dentist offers dental bonding amongst other procedures to restore your smile and get you back to feeling confident.
Here’s what you need to know about the dental bonding procedure and how we’ll determine if it’s right for you.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Bonding?
How suited you are to the procedure depends on the extent of damage to your front teeth. Cosmetic bonding is only meant to repair minor damage, like small chips and cracks. For this reason, severely cracked teeth or those showing signs of decay would be best dealt with using restorative treatments like tooth-colored fillings or dental crowns.
During your consultation, our dentist would be more than happy to help you explore your options after an oral exam. That way, you can make an informed, confident decision about your smile and oral health.
You may be a candidate for dental bonding if you want to:
- Repair teeth with minor imperfections
- Correct teeth in areas of low bite pressure (i.e., front teeth)
- Close small gaps between teeth
- Improve the appearance of stained, discolored teeth
- Improve your teeth’s shape
Many Patients Appreciate Dental Bonding Because:
There’s No Anesthesia Required
If you’re worried about having to be put under for a procedure, you may want to consider the . Since the dental putty is applied to the surface of your teeth, many patients don’t need pain relievers. However, our dentist is able to locally anesthetize the area if you feel any discomfort or offer dental sedation if you need extra help relaxing during your appointment.
It’s Minimally Invasive
is a popular procedure among patients because it is minimally invasive compared to other types of restorations. Our cosmetic dentist applies a tooth-colored resin as needed to the surface of your tooth. The putty-like substance is then hardened to your tooth using ultraviolet light or a laser.
Compared to other cosmetic dental procedures, dental bonding removes far less natural tooth structure, if any. This means that you are able to keep your natural tooth enamel in better condition than if you were to have your teeth fitted for dental crowns or even veneers.
The Entire Process Is Comparatively Quick
Fortunately for patients, the cosmetic bonding process is straightforward and usually completed in a single visit to our Hilliard, OH, dental office. It begins with our dentist using a shade guide to select a resin color that matches your natural enamel. The tooth surface is then lightly roughened, and a conditioning liquid is applied to help the bonding material adhere.
Next, the tooth-colored resin is applied, molded, and smoothed to the desired shape. A curing light is used to harden the resin, effectively bonding it to the tooth surface. Once hardened, our dentist will trim, shape, and polish the bonded material to match the sheen of the surrounding teeth. The entire process typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth, making it a convenient option for minor cosmetic improvements.
In comparison, dental crowns and porcelain veneers require two trips to our office. Since a special dental restoration needs to be created in the lab, you are required to wait until you can enjoy your new beautiful smile. There’s no such waiting period with cosmetic bonding.
It’s Much More Affordable
Dental bonding is a relatively affordable dental restoration compared to other treatments, but it’s important to keep in mind that it is more of a “short term” fix. While porcelain veneers last between 10 and 15 years, cosmetic bonding usually lasts between 3 and 10 years, depending on daily care. This is why we recommend the bonding procedure for patients with minimal tooth damage.
If you are looking for a more affordable solution for minor cracks or chips in your smile, dental bonding may be a feasible solution.
Ask If You’re a Candidate for Dental Bonding
Have questions about dental bonding? Our cosmetic dentist serving Columbus, OH, would be more than happy to transform your smile! Get started by calling Gibson Dental today at (614) 878-9562 to request an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.