All About Cosmetic Dental Bonding

When you smile more often, you interact with the world differently. If you’re uncomfortable with how you look when you smile, you may find that it negatively impacts your life at work, socially, and in many other ways. Cosmetic dental bonding may be exactly what you need to restore your smile and your self-assurance. 

Dr. Ana Chester and our team at Chester Family Dentistry want you to enjoy excellent oral health and to feel great about your smile. That’s why we offer cosmetic dentistry in general and dental bonding specifically. In this post we describe dental bonding and why it might be a treatment for you to consider. 

Restore form and function

If your teeth are chipped, cracked or otherwise damaged, dental bonding may be the best way to repair the damage or hide the defect. We use a tooth-colored composite resin, which can address the following issues: 

• Repair a chip or crack
• Fill in areas where decay has been
• Hide stains
• Protect exposed roots
• Hide gaps between your teeth 

Bonding can serve both cosmetic and health functions. For example, a crack can allow bacteria to get in your tooth, and it may not look the way you’d prefer. Dental bonding can keep the bacteria out and hide the flaw. 

What to expect 

Often, we can complete the dental bonding process in one visit. The first step is roughing the surface of the tooth under repair to make sure the bonding attaches securely. 

Once that step is complete, Dr. Chester makes sure that the color of the composite resin is exactly the same shade as your teeth, so it will blend perfectly. Then, she applies and sculpts the resin to create the exact shape you need. The last step is using a special light to harden the bonding. 

We use the same process to fill in cavities, too. It’s also how we approach replacing metal fillings with more modern composite resin fillings. 

When more than one tooth is involved, we may spread the process out over multiple visits. Regardless, you should be able to carry on with your day after each visit, and you’ll be happier to flash your smile, too! 

Caring for your teeth

Once your teeth are repaired, restored, and looking great, you’ll want to keep them that way. The best way to do that is to follow a rigorous and consistent oral hygiene routine. Be sure you: 

• Brush at least twice a day
• Floss every day 
• Rinse your teeth after you eat

Composite resin stains, just as your natural teeth do, so regular professional cleanings are necessary. It’s also possible for dental bonding to wear down or break, but don’t worry! You can come back to our office for a repair. 

If you think dental bonding could be the right approach to repair your smile, schedule an appointment at Chester Family Dentistry today to discuss it with us.