You are enhancing the appearance of your smile with dental bonding in Boulder, Colorado. Our expert dentists, Dr. Montoya and Dr. Lai, are dedicated to helping you achieve your dream smile. Whether you are looking to repair a chipped tooth or create a straighter smile appearance, dental bonding can help you. 

WHAT IS DENTAL BONDING?

Dental bonding is a cosmetic dentistry procedure done at Boulder Dental Designs that uses a composite resin to mold a new appearance on your teeth. The composite resin material is similar to acrylic, is tooth-colored, and can be set to your liking. For example, if you have a chipped tooth, dental bonding can be used to mold over the missing portion of the tooth so the tooth appears whole. 

 HOW DOES DENTAL BONDING WORK?

As mentioned above, dental bonding uses a composite resin to different mold appearances in the teeth. First, we prep the tooth for dental bonding by lightly etching the surface and applying a bonding liquid. The etching allows for a rougher tooth surface, creating traction where the bonding material is more likely to stick to the tooth. Once the liquid sets, a plastic resin is applied and sculpted into the desired shape by the dentist. Once set, the resin is trimmed, smoothed, and polished to a natural appearance. Since the composite resin is tooth-colored, no one will know that you have dental bonding on your teeth. 

 CONSIDERATIONS FOR DENTAL BONDING

The bonding procedure can often be completed in a single office visit and can significantly improve a tooth’s appearance. However, since the plastic resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it is more likely to stain, chip, or break than natural teeth. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before they need repair. Our dentists at Boulder Dental Designs recommend that you visit the office every six months for a dental cleaning and exam. At this appointment, we will examine the structure of the dental bonding and recommend repair if necessary. 

HOW SHOULD I CARE FOR DENTAL BONDING ON A TOOTH?

If you have dental bonding on your teeth, you should take a few special precautions. When performing your regular oral health routine at home, such as brushing and flossing your teeth, you do not need to take many different steps. However, you should avoid eating hard foods such as ice and hard candy because this can cause the bonding to break. Dental bonding is not as strong as the enamel outside of your tooth, so you should not eat hard foods. Additionally, it would help if you took extra precautions to avoid tooth discoloration. Resin can stain more quickly, so you should drink colas and coffee with a straw, avoid smoking, and stay hydrated. If the resin does become stained, it will need to be replaced because the composite resin cannot be whitened. 

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF DENTAL BONDING?

Compared to other cosmetic treatments, dental bonding is the most affordable treatment. Other cosmetic treatments to transform your smile include dental veneers and dental crowns. Additionally, dental bonding can be completed in one dental visit instead of two or three, unlike these other cosmetic treatments. Lastly, most dental bonding procedures do not require anesthesia. 

Dental bonding is a unique way to transform the appearance of your smile. Dental bonding can repair decayed teeth, chipped teeth, short teeth, misaligned teeth, and discolored teeth. Dental bonding can be applied in one dental appointment, typically without anesthesia. After receiving your dental bonding procedure, you should avoid eating hard foods and activities that can cause tooth discoloration. Overall, many patients at Boulder Dental Designs have used dental bonding to transform the appearance of their smiles. For more information about dental bonding or to schedule an appointment, call our office today.