Tooth bonding is a cosmetic and restorative dental treatment that can improve the health and beauty of your smile. Chipped teeth, cracked teeth, and worn teeth can often be easily and quickly repaired with tooth bonding in our Greeley dental office.
Dr. Thompson is an experienced and skilled cosmetic dentist who offers a personalized approach to your cosmetic and restorative dental health needs. Tooth bonding can provide a quick, painless, and economical solution for various cosmetic and dental health concerns.
Tooth Bonding in Greeley, CO
The tooth bonding process is relatively simple and similar to getting a white dental filling. Our dentist in Greeley, CO uses a composite resin material color-matched to your natural smile.
- Step 1: The dentist cleans and prepares your tooth for the bonding material. He removes minimal tooth structure. This painless process usually does not require local anesthesia or numbing.
- Step 2: Dr. Thompson gently sculps the bonding material into place. Dr. Thompson uses a steady hand and digital technology to seamlessly match the bonding material to your smile.
- Step 3: UV light cures the material. This makes sure that the material hardens and adheres to your tooth. After it is cured, you can use your bonded tooth normally and almost immediately.
- Step 4: The dentist seals and polishes the composite material. It will support the beauty and structure of your smile for up to 10 years with good oral hygiene and routine dental care. We will monitor for signs of damage.
This entire process can be completed in a single dental visit!
What are the uses for tooth bonding? Tooth bonding can be the perfect solution for various (usually cosmetic) common dental concerns.
- Chipped teeth: Tooth bonding repairs chips and minor tooth damage, restoring the structural integrity of your tooth and preventing further damage or decay.
- Gaps between teeth: In most cases, tooth bonding closes small gaps, often called diastemas.
- Worn teeth: Bonding restores worn teeth from teeth grinding or other dental problems.
- Discolored teeth: if you have one or more teeth that are discolored and considered resistant to teeth whitening products, tooth bonding can create a whiter and more aesthetically pleasing smile.
The Advantages of Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is ideal for various different treatment options. But it brings many other advantages to the table as well. It’s a simple, non-invasive treatment option. Solutions like dental crowns and porcelain veneers need significant amounts of tooth structure. Bonding only requires mild preparation of the tooth. We just have to roughen the tooth’s surface so the bonding material adheres better.
Because of this simplicity, it also costs less than other treatment options. It’s a conservative option for patients that don’t require much dental work or just want to improve some small cosmetic flaws in the teeth. Since it’s less invasive, it’s also less time-consuming for patients. Bonding doesn’t require as many return visits to the office. We can complete the bonding procedure in a single visit to our dentist office.
Bonding is also a very versatile treatment. It seamlessly blends in with your smile because we color-match it to match the rest of your teeth perfectly. The restoration looks natural and aesthetically pleasing. Since it treats so many different things, it can correct multiple dental concerns at the same time. We can use it to alter both the shape and size of your teeth, giving you a complete smile makeover if desired.
Tooth Bonding FAQs
Tooth bonding is a versatile treatment for cosmetic and restorative uses. Learn more about the process by reading the answers to these commonly asked questions.
Is tooth bonding appropriate for children?
Yes. Tooth bonding is often the perfect solution for younger patients with damaged teeth or cosmetic concerns. Bonding isn’t permanent. It’s ideal for your child’s changing smile. It is economical and completed quickly and easily when compared to other alternatives. Dr. Thompson will recommend tooth bonding when necessary for maintaining the health and structure of your child’s smile.
What is a more permanent solution to tooth bonding?
Consider porcelain veneers for a more permanent, durable, and long-lasting solution. Porcelain veneers can provide the same solutions tooth bonding offers but are a more permanent fix. We recommend dental veneers for adults with cosmetic concerns such as a single crooked tooth, gaps between teeth, and elongating the appearance of short teeth.
Does the tooth bonding process hurt?
No. The process of placing bonding material on your tooth does not hurt. We do not need to touch your sensitive gum tissue or go into your tooth to complete tooth bonding. Patients don’t need their mouths numbed for this procedure, but it is an option.
How long must I wait to eat or drink after dental bonding?
When we cure your teeth during the process, it’s all the restoration needs to be ready to use. You don’t have to worry about further curing or waiting time before eating or drinking. However, if you received a local anesthetic, wait until the numbing effect wears off before you eat. Otherwise, you can bite down and injure soft tissue and not realize it.
Can I whiten my bonded tooth?
No, the bonding material isn’t responsive to traditional whitening techniques. Professional teeth whitening works by opening up the pores of your teeth and bleaching deeper layers of the teeth. The bonding material isn’t a natural tooth structure and has no pores to open. If your bonded tooth is discolored, we’ll remove the discolored bonding material and replace it with material that we color-match to the shade of white you desire.
Am I a good candidate for dental bonding?
One of the best things about dental bonding is that almost everyone is eligible. It’s completely removable, so it’s safe to use for children. Bonding is versatile so it can treat various cosmetic and restorative concerns. It’s one of the most cost-effective dental treatments, so it’s affordable for more patients. We’ll thoroughly consult you to determine if dental bonding is the best choice for your needs.
Visit our Dentist in Greeley, CO
Do you have tooth damage or minor cosmetic concerns about the appearance of your smile? We welcome new patients to our Greeley dental office. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Thompson to discuss your needs and discover if tooth bonding can improve your smile confidence.