Dental Bonding
It is a quick, easy, and painless procedure that doesn’t require any type of anesthesia.
Did you know that tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body? It’s true! However, this doesn’t mean that teeth are invincible against trauma. Sports injuries, car accidents, teeth grinding, and other forms of trauma put immense pressure on your teeth and can cause them to chip and crack.
Dental bonding repairs chipped and cracked teeth to prevent them from further damage. Tooth bonding can also help with cosmetic dental issues like dental stains, gaps between teeth, and disproportionate teeth.
What is dental bonding?
Tooth bonding uses an ingredient called composite resin (also used for fillings). This material can be painted on a tooth or shaped to fill in a chip, crack, or gap. The color of the composite resin is similar to natural teeth, so most people never notice a difference.
In addition to being extremely effective and natural-looking, dental bonding is an affordable way to improve the appearance of your smile and prevent further damage. Dr. Mina Levi offers dental bonding at her San Francisco, CA, dental practice.
What happens during the tooth bonding procedure?
Dental bonding is a quick, easy, and painless procedure that doesn’t require any type of anesthesia (unless a filling or any drilling is also needed).
First, you and Dr. Levi will choose a bonding color that closely matches your natural tooth color. If you want to have your teeth whitened, that must be done before the bonding procedure, so the composite resin matches your brightened teeth. The resin won’t whiten if the teeth whitening treatment is done after the bonding procedure.
Once the correct color is chosen, Dr. Levi will prepare the tooth by using a rough paste to create a surface that the bonding agent will easily stick to. Then, Dr. Levi will apply the composite resin, then shape it to properly repair the damage.
Finally, she will dry the composite resin with UV light.
How to care for your bonded tooth
When you leave our office, the bonding material should be fully cured. However, because composite resin isn’t as strong as dental enamel, it will require special care:
- Avoid chewing on hard foods, candies, and objects that will chip the bonding material
- Smoking, coffee, and red wine will cause discoloration
- Practice good oral hygiene habits like brushing twice a day and flossing daily
- Don’t bite your nails
- Visit the dentist at least every six months for cleanings and exams
If you abide by these guidelines, the bonding material can last up to ten years.
Repair dental chips, cracks, and cosmetic imperfections in san francisco, ca
Dr. Levi has decades of experience helping patients with minor dental imperfections improve the appearance and health of their smiles. If you are unhappy with your smile because of a chip, crack, gap, discoloration, or disproportionate teeth, dental bonding could be the best solution for you! If dental bonding isn’t the right treatment, she may recommend a dental crown or other restorative option. Contact our office today at (415) 513-5066 or contact us online to schedule your appointment.
