Direct Cosmetic Tooth Bonding – Carrollton, TX
Chips and Cracks: No Match for dental Bonding!
When you’ve had stains on your teeth for years or you’ve recently sustained a dental injury that left behind a cosmetic dental defect, it can make your smile feel completely out of place. While veneers can cover imperfections, you may not want to spend so much on dental treatment just to fix a minor flaw. Thankfully, there are cosmetic treatments that are more ideal for the minor stuff.
Direct bonding from Dr. Chandy’s practice offers simple, quick and affordable solutions to minor smile flaws. To get started, give our office a call and schedule your next cosmetic treatment!
What is Direct Cosmetic Tooth Bonding?
Direct cosmetic tooth bonding is a treatment that uses composite resin to fix minor imperfections in teeth. This treatment is ideal for trying to cover up imperfections like cracks, chips, discoloration and even in some instances gaps in between teeth. Composite resin is used because of it’s shading abilities, which allow the dentist to match the resin to the exact shade of your current tooth. This prevents the resin from becoming too noticeable in your smile, while still catering to your ideal appearance.
Direct bonding is not only for cosmetic purposes. In fact, it can also be used to fill cavities, lengthen teeth, and even protect roots that have become exposed due to gum recession. It’s an incredibly versatile treatment that combines restoration and aesthetics.
What Does the Process Entail?
Composite resin is a putty-like material made from glass and plastic, making it malleable, yet durable. Once you’ve had a discussion with Dr. Chandy on what you’d like changed, she will prepare your teeth by applying an etchant material to your tooth. This will make it easier for the resin to adhere to your tooth. After molding and shaping the resin onto your tooth, the resin is officially bonded via a curing light, which hardens the material almost instantly. Once complete, you’ll get the chance to examine your smile and make sure it looks the way you want it to.
How Long is Treatment? How Long Does It Last?
Direct bonding is an incredibly quick process. Depending on the extent of your imperfections, it can take as little as 30 to 60 minutes. That means you can fix your smile issues in your lunch break and be back in time to finish your work day!
The lifespan of direct bonding varies depending on use, but with proper care any application can easily last as long as 10 years before needing any kind of replacement. If you chew on ice, pens or other inedible objects, the chances are much higher that you’ll need retreatment sooner than average. If you bite your fingernails, it can wear the bonding down more quickly.
You’ll also need to brush twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss daily and visit Dr. Chandy every six months to ensure that the material isn’t breaking down prematurely.
Dental Bonding FAQs
Does Getting Dental Bonding Hurt?
No, dental bonding is not a painful procedure. In fact, it is noninvasive. The teeth being treated do not require much preparation beforehand. Instead, your dentist will use a conditioning liquid to roughen the surface of the tooth. This allows the bonding material to adhere better to the tooth. Ultimately, you shouldn’t anticipate any discomfort. You won’t need a local anesthetic either.
How Long Does Dental Bonding Last?
Dental bonding can improve the appearance of your smile for anywhere between 5 and 10 years. The longevity of your results depends on how well you care for them and the location in the mouth. Here are some tips to make them last as long as possible.
- Avoid hard foods that can cause chipping or cracking.
- Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth.
- Wear a mouthguard when involved in contact sports.
- Keep up excellent oral hygiene.
- Avoid heavily pigmented foods that can stain your teeth.
Should You Whiten Your Teeth Before Dental Bonding?
If you are interested in both teeth whitening and dental bonding, you should let your dentist know ahead of time. Dental bonding cannot be whitened like natural teeth can, so dentists usually recommend teeth whitening before undergoing dental bonding to promote evenness of your smile. Once your teeth are the color you like, the bonding material is shaded to match your teeth’s color.
How Long Does It Take to Get Dental Bonding?
Getting dental bonding is a relatively quick procedure, so you typically only need one visit to the dental office. The whole process usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes. If you are getting dental bonding on multiple teeth, this may take longer. During your consultation, we can give you a more specific estimate depending on your unique case so you can plan accordingly.
How Long Is the Recovery Time for Dental Bonding?
The great thing about dental bonding is that there is no recovery time involved! You can go back to work immediately after your treatment, and it won’t affect your ability to drive. The resin cures right away, so you don’t need to wait to eat or drink either. However, you might experience some slight sensitivity immediately after your procedure but should be mild and temporary.