Cosmetic Bonding
You may have noticed that you have some slight imperfections in your teeth — maybe a small chip, fracture or a bit of decay. They’re not damaged enough to require veneers, dental implants, crowns or dental bridges, but the problems are noticeable enough that you want to get them fixed. Cosmetic bonding is a great way to repair small imperfections or damage to a tooth quickly and easily in a single dental visit.
Cosmetic bonding uses a tooth-colored resin (plastic material) to repair the spot on your tooth that is damaged. The material bonds to your existing tooth, and your dentist blends, shapes and polishes it to look just like your natural teeth.
Benefits of Cosmetic Bonding
Cosmetic bonding is one of the easiest and quickest dental procedures available for repairing minor damage or imperfections in otherwise healthy teeth. It’s different from other options such as veneers, which require a customized mold to fit on your tooth and often take more than one visit. In addition to fixing minor damage or improving the cosmetic appearance of a tooth, it can also be used to:
- Fill in small gaps between teeth
- Protect the roots of teeth exposed by gum recession
- Improve the shape and color of your teeth
What to Expect During a Cosmetic Bonding Procedure
Cosmetic bonding is a simple procedure. No advance preparation is necessary, and it can all be done in a single visit to the dentist. Most patients won’t need any anesthesia, unless the bonding is used to fill part of a decayed tooth.
When you arrive for your appointment, the dentist will select the shade of resin that most closely matches your tooth color. Then they will prepare the tooth surface so it’s ready to bond to the material. The dentist applies a conditioning liquid to help with adhesion and then the resin (which is similar to putty). After it’s applied, the resin can be molded and shaped to match your other teeth. Finally, the dentist will use an ultraviolet light or laser to harden the resin permanently. They may do some final trimming and shaping after the material hardens, and finish by polishing the resin so it has the same shine as your other teeth.
The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes for a single tooth. In some cases, you may be able to have more than one cosmetic bonding procedure done in a single appointment, but if you need multiple procedures, we may have you schedule additional visits.
You will be able to eat and drink almost immediately, but your dentist will provide information about foods and drinks to avoid for the first 48 to 72 hours so you don’t stain the newly bonded resin. While bonded resin is strong and durable, it’s not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, so it can get damaged or chipped over time and require repairs.
Schedule Your Visit Today
To learn more about cosmetic bonding and find out if it’s a good option to repair your teeth, schedule an appointment at Young Family Dental today. We have five convenient locations in West Jordan, Riverton, American Fork, Saratoga Springs and Orem with cosmetic dentists who are skilled at performing these procedures.