If you have a cracked, chipped, or discolored tooth, a simple and effective solution is dental bonding. Using a tooth-colored resin, dental bonding can help rejuvenate the appearance of your smile and repair minor damage. Dr. Robert F. Berger can meet with you for a dental bonding consultation at his Columbia and Elgin, SC-area dental practice to evaluate the damage to your tooth, and devise a proper treatment plan.
Candidates for Dental Bonding
In addition to chips, cracks, and discoloration, patients who have teeth that are slightly crooked or that contain fractures are good candidates for dental bonding. Dental bonding is a common choice for adults who have decided against veneers and is often incorporated into smile makeovers. Candidates for dental bonding must have good oral health, strong tooth structure, and be willing to replace the bonding every five to 10 years as needed.
The Dental Bonding Procedure
Since dental bonding cannot be lightened once it is in place, Dr. Berger encourages patients to undergo professional teeth whitening prior to their dental bonding procedure. The intent is to lighten your teeth to the desired shade, then match the bonding material to the new shade of enamel. This approach yields the most attractive cosmetic results.
Dental bonding is performed using the same material that we use in tooth-colored fillings, composite resin. The procedure is quick, only taking minutes per tooth.
Dental bonding is performed using the same material that we use in tooth-colored fillings, composite resin. Composite resin is custom-tinted to match your natural tooth enamel. Dr. Berger then places the material on the teeth and sculpts the resin to the desired shape.
Exposure to a curing light hardens the resin to a durable state that can endure biting and chewing. Dr. Berger will finish by making minor revisions to the shape, as necessary. The procedure is quick, only taking minutes per tooth. In some cases, anesthetic is not required.
Benefits of Dental Bonding
Dental bonding offers both cosmetic and restorative benefits for patients. Some of the many advantages include:
- Simple, quick, and painless procedure
- Less expensive than porcelain veneers
- Conservative treatment (requires no alteration of the tooth's structure)
- Immediate, long-lasting results
Caring for Your Bonded Teeth
Dental bonding is durable, but like natural enamel, it can break, chip, or wear down. After your dental bonding procedure, you should avoid habitual chewing or biting of nails, pens, ice, and other objects.
Smoking will discolor your teeth and make bonding stand out from your natural tooth enamel. It is imperative that you maintain your six-month dental checkup schedule to keep your teeth healthy and clean. In addition, if your bonded tooth chips or breaks, you should contact us immediately.
Schedule Your Consultation
As a reputable and experienced cosmetic dentist, Dr. Berger at Berger Dental Group can help you decide which treatment will deliver the results you want. Dr. Berger offers porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, tooth-colored crowns and fillings, and dental bonding to create unforgettable smiles. For your personal smile consultation, contact us today.