Dechter & Moy Dentistry offers tooth bonding in Silver Spring, MD to address many dental issues. Tooth bonding is an effective and economical treatment option for repairing minor tooth damage and addressing minor cosmetic dental concerns. Tooth bonding can be the perfect option for younger patients or adult patients of any age. It is an economical alternative to its counterpart, porcelain veneers.
Dr. Dechter and Dr. Moy can use tooth bonding to enhance the beauty of your smile while improving your oral health. We can restore, enhance and even transform the look of your smile in one single visit!
Today’s bonding materials provide color-matching and superior bonding capability that creates a beautiful result. With the skillful application of the composite resin material, your smile will be as comfortable as ever. Although not a permanent restoration, tooth bonding can last for 10 or more years with good oral hygiene and regular dental care.
How Can Tooth Bonding Help Me?
Tooth bonding is a cosmetic dental treatment that can improve the appearance of imperfect teeth. We can use bonding to fill cavities or protect the exposed root of a tooth. We can also use tooth bonding to fill in the grooves and depressions on your teeth which are susceptible to staining or decay.
Teeth can change over time, and if you don’t like their look, you can use bonding to enhance them. Tooth bonding is a common cosmetic dentistry procedure that your dentist will use to repair teeth that may have the following issues:
- Tooth discoloration
- Gaps between teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Chipped tooth
- Cracks in teeth
- Broken teeth
- Fractured teeth
- Worn down teeth
- Sharp edges on teeth
- Teeth riddled with cavities
If we link any of these problems to underlying oral health conditions, our dentist may recommend restorative dental treatment before addressing cosmetic concerns. Addressing foundational issues will ensure that your tooth bonding results last as long as possible. There are many benefits to tooth bonding, including:
- Improved smile: A tooth that is cracked, discolored or chipped can be aesthetically improved with tooth bonding.
- Cost-effective: Tooth bonding is a simple and affordable procedure compared to other cosmetic treatments.
- Minimal time commitment: The typical bonding procedure takes only one office visit and our dentist can complete it in about an hour.
- Minimal preparation: Bonding does not typically require as much prepping and shaping of the tooth as other treatments, such as veneers.
- Reversible: Bonding is a non-invasive treatment and is completely reversible if you ever want a more permanent option in the future.
What Results Should I Expect?
The result will be a beautiful, natural-looking smile that doesn’t even look like it has had work done. However, tooth bonding is not permanent. The cosmetic benefits will last three to ten years with proper oral hygiene practices. This includes brushing twice a day and flossing daily.
Regular dental check-ups and cleanings every six months are part of a good oral hygiene regimen too. Some patients notice slight tooth sensitivity directly following the bonding procedure, but these symptoms fade away after a few days.
Dental Bonding Process at Dechter & Moy Dentistry
The tooth bonding process is similar in many ways to a dental filling procedure. During your visit, one of our dentists will examine your teeth and the damaged area in question. The exam will help us determine if your damaged teeth are due to a minor issue or a more complex dental problem, such as TMD, teeth grinding, or tooth decay. We must address any underlying issues before proceeding with a tooth bonding treatment. Dr. Dechter or Dr. Moy may suggest the need for a general or restorative dental service to improve the health of your smile.
If dental bonding is the right choice to repair your smile, we will begin by numbing the area with a local anesthetic. Although this is not always necessary. We will do our best to make sure you are comfortable and aware of every step. Next, Dr. Dechter or Dr. Moy will remove a minimal amount of tooth enamel by carefully etching the surface to prepare the tooth for bonding. This allows the bonding material to adhere securely and smoothly. Then, our dentist will directly apply a tooth-colored composite resin onto the tooth.
Next, Dr. Moy or Dr. Dechter will skillfully sculpt the tooth-colored resin into the desired shape and color match it to the tooth. We will make sure we match the color of the bonding to the rest of your smile. Once our dentist completes this step, he will cure and harden the bond using a UV light. Then he will polish the tooth to ensure a quality result.
To ensure a long-lasting result, patients should follow a proper oral hygiene routine and schedule regular visits. The best part about dental bonding is that it does not require extra care or special products to maintain it. Keep up with your regular dental appointments and it will last a while.
Dental Bonding FAQs
When can I eat after tooth bonding?
After tooth bonding patients should wait to eat or drink a few hours after their procedure. This gives the patient time to adjust to the bond. Patients may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold in the bonding area for a couple of hours after treatment. If you have particularly sensitive teeth, you should use toothpaste specifically for sensitivity such as Sensodyne.
Does bonding ruin your teeth?
Bonding does not ruin your natural teeth. Dental bonding is a minimally-invasive procedure and a semi-permanent option. Your dentist can remove it at any time with zero damage to the enamel and surface of your teeth. This procedure does not damage or weaken your natural teeth. It actually strengthens them by adding an additional layer of protection against damage and decay.
Can I get teeth bonding on my front teeth?
Yes! Our dentist can bond front teeth to close gaps between them, and fix chipped front teeth. Bonding improves the look of your smile while also repairing a chipped, cracked, or broken front tooth. Bonding of front teeth is a fairly easy procedure that requires minimal preparation and is generally pain-free.
Does tooth bonding break easily?
Tooth bonding is strong and durable. However, it’s not impervious to damage. Patients should avoid biting directly into hard foods with their bond to protect it, however, it should not break from occasional wear.
Are you ready to close the gaps in your smile with a bonding treatment? Dechter & Moy Dentistry provides beautiful results with this restorative and cosmetic treatment in Silver Spring, Maryland. Give us a call or schedule an appointment online today.