How Dental Bonding Can Improve Your Smile

Dental bonding is a type of cosmetic dentistry procedure that uses a tooth-colored composite resin to improve the appearance of teeth. The composite resin is hardened and polished, then further shaped and contoured to blend in with the rest of the patient's teeth. Dental bonding is an affordable and relatively quick cosmetic procedure. It can improve the appearance of teeth that are stained, chipped, cracked, or misaligned.

Dental Bonding Explained

As the name implies, dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin is used to conceal minor imperfections in your smile. Unlike veneers, which are designed to cover the entire front surface of your teeth, dental bonding can be used to fill small gaps between teeth or cover minor chips and cracks. The bonding material can also be used to lengthen the appearance of teeth that are too short and look a little "gummy" when smiling.

At your consultation appointment, our prosthodontist in Atlanta will assess the health and structure of your teeth to determine if dental bonding is right for you. If so, we will prepare the surface of your tooth so that the resin will adhere properly and allow it to set and harden. Then we'll use a hand tool to shape it to the desired shape and polish it to a beautiful luster. We'll complete the procedure by matching the color of the resin to your natural tooth color so that it won't be noticeable to others when you flash that smile!

The Advantages of Dental Bonding

There are many advantages to choosing dental bonding as a restorative and cosmetic treatment. Understanding how it compares to other treatments can help patients make an educated decision about the best treatment for their needs.

Unlike dental crowns and veneers, which are customized restorations created in a lab by skilled technicians, dental bonding is a noninvasive procedure that can be completed in a single visit to the prosthodontist's office. Also, unlike traditional crowns and veneers, this treatment is less expensive and does not require tooth structure to be shaved down to prepare the tooth for restoration. Since there is no lab work involved, there is also no turnaround time for the restoration. Patients can leave the office with their new smile the very same day!

Placing a composite resin in a damaged tooth essentially fills in the missing parts of the tooth, providing strength and stability while also improving the overall appearance of the tooth. Patients can also choose to change the shape or size of a tooth with the bonding material, helping to correct the appearance of teeth that are discolored, misshapen, or gapped.

With proper care, dental bonding can last for several years before needing to be replaced. However, patients who experience habits like nail biting or chewing on hard objects may be more likely to damage the bonding material and may require a replacement sooner.

The prosthodontist in Atlanta, GA, and the team are happy to explain the dental treatments offered at the practice in detail. If you would like to learn more about our dental services or dental care tips, we invite you to give us a call at (404) 255-4575 and schedule a consultation.