Essenmacher Family Dental

Cosmetic Dental Bonding

Cosmetic Dental Bonding in Albuquerque, NM!

Our dental office is dedicated to providing various cosmetic dental services, including composite bonding. Many patients seeking smile makeovers love this procedure for its minimal preparation, quick application, and low cost.

Cosmetic Dental Bonding Procedure

Teeth are repaired with a tooth-colored composite resin material. It restores damaged teeth and can mask imperfections easily because the composite resin does not merely bind the parts together; instead, it becomes one with them. For a truly natural look, composite resins come in various hues to match the color of your natural teeth. It’s nearly impossible to tell the treated tooth from its neighbors when bonding is done by a trained hand and an artistic eye. Bonding is significantly simpler than more permanent solutions, like porcelain veneers, and it does not require the use of a dental laboratory. In addition, it’s frequently done without drilling, so it’s pain-free and not invasive.

What can dental bonding fix?

Dental bonding can repair or mask several problems with otherwise healthy teeth that are, for some reason, imperfect. For example, perhaps you have suffered from teeth grinding in the past. Even if you have corrected the problem by wearing a mouth guard at night, this could have led to misshapen teeth. Dental bonding can also mask noticeable gaps between teeth, chipped teeth, or discoloration. So it’s a great way to achieve a beautiful smile, even if your teeth have minor flaws. However, it is essential to remember that dental bonding can’t repair all dental problems.  For example, it may not be the best option if you have extensive dental decay or a large filling. In addition, more extensive procedures may be necessary if you have very crooked teeth or a large gap. We can determine if this is the best option for you with a quick cosmetic dentistry consultation appointment.

The Bonding Process

Tooth bonding is a quick, painless, non-invasive procedure. Your dentist can complete the application of your bonding material in one visit. You can expect the process to last between 30 minutes and one hour. First, we will clean your tooth to remove any tartar. The surface will then be “etched” with an acidic gel that opens up tiny pores in the surface. After the etching gel has been washed away, your dentist applies a thin layer of bonding material that closely matches the hue of your other teeth. Your dentist may build up the restoration until it reaches the required thickness. The bonding substance is formed with a dental drill to give it the appropriate form. Once your tooth not only looks good but also fits in with your bite,

Caring for Bonded Teeth

Like your regular teeth, proper care for treated teeth means brushing and flossing regularly and dental checkups twice per year. The essential thing to remember when caring for the bonded tooth is that composite resin can absorb stains in the same manner as untreated teeth. Therefore, it may help your treatment last longer if you avoid drinking red wine or a lot of coffee. The composite resin may darken over time, but whitening treatments can’t lighten it. As a result, if you want to whiten your teeth, it’s preferable to do so before they’re bonded. The dentist can then match the composite color to the whiter shade. On the other hand, having your teeth whitened after completing bonding could make the color look uneven in your smile. Finally, avoid biting your nails, chewing on writing utensils, or putting excessive pressure on the bonding substance by biting. A bonded tooth can survive for 3 to 10 years if properly maintained.

Benefits of Dental Bonding

Because dental bonding does not require your dentist to send anything to a lab, patients only need to schedule one appointment for the treatment. Bonding is ideal for people looking for a temporary solution to their dental problems. Teens have teeth that can still grow, so they should wait until adulthood for more extensive procedures. Dental bonding can help them feel less self-conscious about their smile in the meantime. Dental bonding is not an expensive cosmetic dentistry procedure, and it is priced similarly to having a filling done. It may not be as permanent, but other cosmetic dentistry procedures are far more expensive. For example, applying veneers can cost up to thousands of dollars per tooth.

Schedule a cosmetic dental bonding consultation with our office in Albuquerque, NM!

We love helping patients achieve a beautiful smile with cosmetic dentistry, so contact our office for a consultation and claim that bright smile you deserve!