Dental Bonding Folsom CA

Brett Jensen, DDS offers Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is an alternative to teeth veneers and can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped, cracked, discolored or misarranged.

How does dental bonding work?

The tooth is prepared for dental bonding by lightly etching the surface and applying a bonding liquid. Once the liquid sets, a plastic resin is applied and sculpted into the desired shape by the dentist. Once set, the resin is trimmed, smoothed and polished to a natural appearance.

Considerations for Dental Bonding

The bonding procedure can often be completed in a single office visit, and can improve the appearance of a tooth significantly. However, since the plastic resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it is more likely to stain, chip or break than natural teeth. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before need of repair.

What Can Tooth Bonding Treat?

Dental bonding is an attractive and inexpensive solution for minor dental imperfections, including:

• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Irregularly shaped teeth
• Discolored or pitted teeth
• Minor gaps between teeth
• Short or small teeth
• A partially exposed tooth root

Bonding is most appropriate for minor imperfections rather than significant damage or tooth decay. Dental crowns or porcelain veneers may be a good alternative for more significant problems.

How Is Dental Bonding Done?

This is an in-office procedure that doesn’t take long. In most cases, sedation and numbing aren’t necessary. After selecting the shade of composite you want, it is blended for a perfect color match.

The teeth are roughened with an acid solution, so the bond between tooth and resin will be stronger and more secure. The composite resin is then applied and molded into the shape desired. After this, the newly bonded resin is shaped and smoothed for a natural look. Laser light is then used to encourage bonding and harden the resin. Once the resin hardens, the bonded teeth will be polished so that the composite resin mimics the appearance and sheen of natural teeth.

Dental Bonding FAQ

Do You Need Dental Bonding?

Anyone interested in improving the look of their teeth can potentially benefit from dental bonding. It is a cosmetic procedure appropriate for any healthy person who is self-conscious about minor imperfections in their teeth. Teenagers and children need parental consent before the procedure.

Dental bonding is an appropriate solution if imperfections such as stains, chips, or cracks bother you. The composite resin can be applied to correct stains, present a whiter smile, and smooth out or cover damage such as chips. It also works to fill small spaces between the teeth.

Some people have shorter teeth than usual due to developmental deformities, grinding of the teeth, or enamel erosion. Tooth bonding can build up the tooth for a more natural appearance. If you have mild tooth decay that hasn’t damaged the pulp, dental bonding can create a filling and is a safe alternative to silver amalgam fillings.

Is Dental Bonding Right for You?

Dental bonding is an excellent choice if you want to correct minor cosmetic imperfections, whether tetracycline-stained teeth, a small chip, or a crooked or irregular tooth. Keep in mind that the composite resin used in bonding is durable but not permanent. Dental bonding usually lasts between three and five years, giving you a beautiful smile at a fraction of the cost of veneers.

What are the Benefits of Dental Bonding?

While porcelain veneers are also a viable choice if you’re seeking a way to repair cosmetic damage to your teeth, there are advantages to dental bonding you should consider.

1. Dental bonding is non-invasive. While you must remove some of your tooth’s enamel to apply a veneer, tooth bonding doesn’t require this. Instead, the tooth’s surface is lightly roughed up to promote a durable bond.
2. Dental bonding is quick and efficient. It only takes a few minutes to bond the composite resin to the tooth. Even a mouthful of teeth can be bonded in a single appointment.
3. Bonded teeth look natural. The composite resins used are matched to the natural color of your teeth or made a few shades lighter depending on your desired results.
4. You get immediate results with bonding without having to wait for any healing or to come back to the office for any additional procedures. You walk out of the office with a lovely new smile.
5. Dental bonding generally costs less than veneers or crowns.