The holidays are almost here — hooray! Would you like to upgrade your smile in time for all the upcoming parties and family gatherings? And do it in a way that won’t break the bank? Not all cosmetic dentistry procedures require a huge investment of time or money.
Tooth bonding is an effective way to erase blemishes and make your pearly whites gleam once again — and is also one of the less expensive cosmetic dentistry techniques that we offer. To book a consultation with Davenport Dental Group of Laredo, TX, call our Junction Drive office at 956-242-6745 or our Winfield location at 956-517-2695.
What Is Tooth Bonding?
Tooth bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that involves applying a tooth-colored resin material to the teeth. The durable resin, which hides a variety of blemishes and flaws, is bonded to the enamel, shaped, polished, and hardened with a special high-intensity light.
Tooth bonding is often chosen as a faster, more affordable alternative to dental veneers. While transformative, veneers are costly, require multiple dental appointments, and, because the enamel of the teeth must be ground down before placement, are a lifelong commitment. Tooth bonding will cover many of the same flaws, but you will be in and out of the office quickly and still have money left to pay for Christmas gifts!
What Flaws Are Erased by Tooth Bonding?
Tooth bonding is wonderfully versatile, covering many types of blemishes and cosmetic dental problems. Your teeth will look clean, bright, and flawless, usually in just a single visit to the dentist. If you have one or a combination of the following issues, you may be a candidate for dental bonding.
- Teeth that have small, cosmetic-only chips or cracks.
- Teeth that have stains or spots of discoloration.
- Teeth that have unsightly gaps you’d like to close up.
- Teeth that are decayed (dental bonding may be used as a more attractive alternative to amalgam fillings).
- Areas where the gums are receding (bonding may be used to protect tooth roots that have become exposed).
- Tooth bonding may also be used lengthen the teeth or to alter their shape.
What Will Happen at My Dental Visit?
Tooth Bonding is a relatively simple process that can generally be done in a single visit to our office. You can expect each tooth to take thirty minutes to an hour. Because of the non-invasive nature of the procedure, anesthesia is generally not required (except in cases when we are working with a decayed tooth, drilling is required to alter tooth shape, or we are covering a chip that’s located near a nerve).
In order for the bonding to look natural, it’s important that the dental resin we apply match the shade of your teeth exactly. We will use a shade guide to ensure we choose the perfect color.
The tooth surface must be prepared before putting on the resin, or the material will not adhere properly. This painless process involves using an acidic solution to give the enamel a rough texture, then adding a conditioning liquid.
Once the tooth has been prepped, one of our skilled doctors will apply the perfectly colored,  putty-like bonding material. Once it has been applied, we will meticulously mold and smooth it until it’s the correct shape and blends perfectly into the tooth.
The resin is hardened, or cured, with an intense blue light or laser.
After being cured, the resin may need further shaping and trimming. Finally, we will polish the resin so it gleams and matches the luster of the natural tooth.
You will walk out of our office with your teeth looking so good, you won’t be able to stop smiling!
How Do I Care for My Bonded Teeth?
You don’t need to do anything special to properly care for your bonded teeth. Just follow good routine oral hygiene habits: brush at least two times per day, floss daily, and it’s not a bad idea to rinse with mouthwash after brushing.
And be sure to visit Davenport Dental Group twice per year for a cleaning and examination.
While strong, bonding material can chip. So be sure to stop bad habits like gnawing on your fingernails, eating ice, or chewing on any other non-food objects. And remember that your teeth are not tools! Do not use them to open packages or in any other way for which they are not designed. With proper care, your tooth bonding can last several years.
Ready to give your smile a boost? Contact Davenport Dental Group for an appointment today. We have a convenient online form, or you may call either one of our Laredo, TX offices  (Junction Drive at 956-242-6745 or Winfield at 956-517-2695.