A brilliant smile can improve how your look. However, if your teeth are chipped, cracked, stained, decayed, or simply have an odd shape, you may not find it so easy to flash a winning smile. Fortunately, such dental flaws can be repaired with the help of dental procedures. Dental bonding is among the most popular dental procedures today. It is done by attaching a tooth-colored resin plastic material to your teeth in order to hide unsightly stains or cracks, or to fill in gaps and spaces. The resin plastic material is hardened by a high-intensity light.
When the teeth don’t look their best, it can embarrassing. Don’t let the appearance of your teeth leave you feeling insecure and afraid to show off your smile! Cosmetic dental bonding can be used to reshape the teeth, correct flaws, and improve overall aesthetics. There are many restorative dentistry treatments to restore oral health and function, so if dental bonding isn’t right for you, there are other options. Anacapa Dental Art Institute’s Experienced Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Jivraj is transforming smiles everyday. Read on to learn more about dental bonding and if it may be right for you.
What Is Cosmetic Dental Bonding?
Cosmetic dental bonding is a painless, non-invasive treatment used to improve the overall appearance of the teeth and repair minor damage. Dental bonding treatment can generally be completed in a single dental appointment and requires about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth. During the cosmetic dental bonding procedure, a putty-like resin is colored to the desired shade of white. This resin is then applied to the front surface of the teeth and shaped to create a flawless look. Once the desired shape and size is obtained, the putty-like resin is hardened, or cured, by applying a special light to the treated teeth. After the resin hardens, each treated tooth is finely shaped and polished for a dazzling smile.
How Is Dental Bonding Done?
The first thing Your Oxnard Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Saj Jivraj will do is prepare your teeth for the actual dental bonding procedure. The preparation process involves filling the cavities, choosing the right shade of resin, and filing the teeth to make them rough (this makes the application of the resin much easier). Resin is then applied to the teeth and molded accordingly. Even when left to dry for a long time, the resin remains soft.
That is why it is necessary to aim an ultraviolet light at the resin to harden it within seconds. For the finishing touch, the repaired teeth are polished. A typical dental bonding procedure takes about 45 minutes per tooth. The entire procedure can usually be done in one appointment.
Dental Bonding vs. Other Dental Procedures
Dental bonding is only one of several dental procedures that can be used to repair your teeth and give you a bright smile. What makes dental bonding preferable over other solutions is that dental bonding is a lot cheaper. The cost is very reasonable considering its almost perfect success rate. Other dental procedures are also much more complicated and time-consuming.
For example, if you choose to have crowns and composite veneers, more enamel will have to be scraped off your teeth. Dental bonding, on the other hand, requires only a small amount of enamel to be removed, just enough to give the surface of the tooth a rough texture. Often time no anesthesia is needed for such a minor procedure.
One of the characteristics of dental bonding is that it is not as resistant to stains as veneers or crowns. This might be a disadvantage, but it is actually much better because the repaired teeth will look more natural over time. As the other teeth stain naturally, the bonded teeth won’t stand out due to their artificial whiteness.
It is good to know there are procedures like dental bonding to help improve your smile. Still, the best way to care for your teeth is to practice proper oral hygiene, eat foods rich in calcium, and visit your dentist regularly.
The Uses of Cosmetic Dental Bonding
Cosmetic dental bonding can be used to correct a number of dental issues to reveal a flawless smile. Some popular uses for dental bonding include:
- Masking Stains: Deep dental stains and discoloration don’t always respond well to teeth whitening, including professional whitening treatments. For those who are not able to achieve their desired whitening results, dental bonding can be used to restore dental brightness.
- Treating Mild Decay: Treating minor decay before it becomes major is not only important to oral health, it is also important to oral aesthetics. Dental bonding offers an aesthetically pleasing way to repair decay and restore oral health.
- Closing Gaps Between Teeth: Orthodontics is no longer the only option to closing gaps between teeth. Dental bonding offers the benefit of closing gaps during a single, pain-free dental visit.
- Restoring Minor Fractures: Small fractures can lead to major problems if left untreated. Fractures allow bacteria to reach the internal structures of the tooth, causing decay or infection. Dental bonding is a great option for repairing minor fractures and restoring dental appearance.
- Correcting The Shape of Teeth: Dental bonding allows the appearance of misshaped teeth to be easily corrected since the resin used in this treatment can be molded to any size or shape.
- Correcting Tooth Proportions: Similar to improving tooth shape, dental bonding can be used to correct the size of oversized or undersized teeth.
Benefits of Cosmetic Dental Bonding
Cosmetic dental bonding is one of the most popular dental treatments among our patients who are looking to improve the appearance of the smile. Cosmetic dental bonding allows patients to address imperfections and enhance the beauty of the smile, all through a procedure that is safe, fast, and affordable. Below are some of the many benefits that make cosmetic dental bonding such a sought-after cosmetic dentistry treatment:
- Versatility: Cosmetic dental bonding is easily one of the most versatile cosmetic dental treatments available. Cosmetic dental bonding is applied directly to the surface of the teeth and can address a wide range of blemishes and imperfections, making it an appropriate treatment option for nearly all of our patients. Some conditions that can be improved through dental bonding treatment include stains, discoloration, misshapen teeth, poorly sized teeth, gapped teeth, chips, and cracks.
- Affordability: While most people are looking to improve the appearance of their smile, there are some cosmetic dentistry treatments that are simply beyond a person’s budget. Cosmetic dental bonding is a direct restoration that is applied in a single appointment right here at our dental offices. All of these factors combine to make dental bonding one of the most affordable cosmetic dentistry treatments available.
- Non-invasive: All dental treatments are performed with the patient’s utmost comfort and safety in mind. Still, we understand that many patients experience a great deal of anxiety surrounding professional dental care. Dental bonding is a non-invasive treatment. There is no need for any drills, shots, or anesthesia. Many patients find the non-invasive nature of dental bonding treatment to be very comforting.
- Effective: Dental bonding provides patients with a smile that looks whiter, more even, and generally more attractive. Fortunately, these results are built to last. With the durable bonding material that is used for treatment, patients can expect to benefit from a beautiful smile for several years before treatment will need to be repeated.
Schedule a Complimentary Cosmetic Consultation Today!
When it comes to efficiency of your time and proficiency of cosmetic dentistry techniques, Anacapa Dental Art Institute is the right choice for your teeth. Contact us to schedule your private consultation today and find out why we consider our dentists as the best cosmetic dentists in the area.
ABOUT YOUR OXNARD, CA, COSMETIC DENTIST:
We look forward to providing families with exceptional care and advanced treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jivraj contact our Oxnard, CA, dental office today by calling 805-800-8289. Our office welcomes patients in and around Oxnard, CA, including Santa Barbara, Woodland Hills, Ventura, and the surrounding Southern California communities.