Pineville Dental Bonding

What Is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is the process of bonding composite resin to the natural tooth enamel to repair damage such as chips and cracks or to alter the appearance of the tooth. Tooth bonding is often paired with reshaping and contouring, also known as enameloplasty. 

This aspect of the procedure involves filing away or reshaping a part of the tooth, such as with a tooth that is too long. By using dental bonding together with reshaping and contouring, the structure of the tooth can be rebuilt, and then the shape and appearance of the tooth can be fine-tuned to match the rest of the teeth or to alter all of the teeth for a more desirable shape, size, or color.

The composite resin material can be matched to the shade of your tooth. To schedule an appointment for dental bonding with Dr. Troy Babb, contact us at Pineville Family Dentistry today.

Dental bonding

What Does Dental Bonding Fix?

Discolored or stained teeth
Minor crooked teeth
Gaps
Minor chips or cracks
Broken teeth
Elongated teeth

Is Dental Bonding Permanent?

No, dental bonding is a temporary procedure. Just like composite resin fillings need to be replaced every few years, so too does the composite resin material used for bonding. However, bonding will last for up to 10 years if you take care of your teeth.

The most important aspect of maintaining your bonded teeth is to practice good oral hygiene (such as regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing) and avoid damaging your teeth. Composite resin can become worn down due to wear and tear and can also become stained over time. The following are tips on how to prolong the results of your dental bonding treatment:

  • Use a soft-bristle toothbrush
  • Don’t use your teeth to open packages
  • Don’t chew on objects, nails, ice, or hard/sticky foods
  • Avoid smoking
  • Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth
  • Don’t consume staining foods & drinks
  • Get a dental cleaning & checkup every 6 months

The Dental Bonding Process

Consultation - You’ll come into Pineville Family Dentistry for a consultation and Dr. Troy Babb will examine your teeth to determine if you’re a good candidate for dental bonding. Conditions that could rule you out include poor oral health, severe damage to the teeth, or severely misaligned teeth or bite. These problems would need to be treated before receiving dental bonding.

Preparation - A shade guide will be used to match the tooth-colored composite resin with your natural teeth (or lighter to cover up discoloration). Local anesthesia is typically not needed and the bonding process is painless. A conditioning liquid will be applied to the tooth to help the composite resin adhere to the tooth.

Bonding - The composite resin bonding material is applied to the tooth and molded. It is cured with UV light to instantly harden and then can be shaped and contoured to achieve the desired tooth appearance. The tooth will then be polished upon completion. The entire bonding process takes 30-60 minutes per tooth.

Aftercare - Dr. Troy Babb will discuss aftercare with you. If you did not receive local anesthesia, you can eat right away. However, if you did receive an anesthetic, you’ll need to wait for the numbness to wear off before eating or consuming hot liquids.

Schedule Your Appointment in Pineville Today!

Contact the team at Pineville Family Dentistry for more information about pricing, insurance coverage, and other details. Whether you’re in Pineville, Kingsville, Legacy Point or Richfield, we’re here to help with comfortable dentistry in a welcoming environment.

Schedule your appointment today!