Dental Bonding
Dentist Lake Forest, CA
 Here at Jeanette Thai, DDS, we can help with all your tooth bonding needs. Bonding consists of applying composite resin that is the same color as your teeth to help repair a tooth that is fractured, chipped, decayed, or discolored.
They are different from veneers, which need a custom mold to guarantee a proper fit, since bonding can be achieved in just one visit. It’s called bonding because the material used will bond with your tooth.
It is one of the easiest and most affordable cosmetic dental procedures. We’re able to shape and polish the composite resin being used, so it matches the teeth surrounding it. Though it’s mostly used cosmetically to help improve the appearance of a chipped or discolored tooth, it can also be useful in closing the gaps between teeth, make them seem longer or even modify their shape or color. It’s also occasionally used as an alternative method to amalgam fillings or even to protect a tooth if the root has been exposed due to the recession of the gums.
How Does the Bonding Procedure Work?
There is no need to prepare for a bonding procedure, and unless a decayed tooth is being filled, no anesthesia is required either. To begin the process, our dentists will follow a shade guide to select the color of composite resin that best matches the color of the nearby teeth. After choosing the color, we lightly scratch the tooth to roughen its surface. Then we coat it with a conditioning liquid which makes sure the bonding material adheres.
Once the tooth has been prepared, we apply the tooth-colored resin; the texture is similar to putty. It is then molded and smoothed to give it the proper shape required. It is then set to harden using ultraviolet light or laser. Once the material has hardened, we continue to shape and trim it. Next, we polish it to make sure it matches the sheen of the rest of your teeth.
This procedure takes anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour to complete, and if you’re getting the procedure done on more than one tooth, you might need to visit us multiple times. Take into account that substances such as coffee, cigarette smoke, tea and the like can stain the tooth resin. To reduce the changes of staining the resin, try to avoid eating or drinking anything that could stain them during the first 48 hours. Additionally, make sure you get regular professional cleanings and brush your teeth often.
Are there any risks?
The resin used in this bonding procedure isn’t as strong as your natural teeth, so chewing ice or pen caps, or biting your fingernails and dent or chip the material. However, it tends to last a couple of years before you need to repair it. In the end, how long it lasts depends on the amount of work done and your oral hygiene habits.
For more information about bonding procedures, feel free to call the experienced professionals here at Jeanette Thai, DDS at (949) 837-8482 today! |
