Dental bonding is an economical alternative to porcelain veneers. Teeth bonding uses tooth-colored porcelain or resin material to treat multiple cosmetic dental concerns. Dr. Justin Deckard can treat chipped, uneven, discolored, or decayed teeth with dental bonding.
He can also address black triangles and small gaps between teeth. Dental bonding is one of the cosmetic dental procedures for patients who want to change the shape and shade of their teeth.
Who Benefits from Tooth Bonding?
Dental bonding is ideal for young and adult patients. Teeth bonding provides beautiful, natural-looking results without requiring lengthy or invasive treatment. Dental bonding uses highly flexible materials.
Our dentist can shape, mold, and color-match it to blend in with an existing tooth. The tooth bonding procedure is painless and only requires one short visit to our Washington, DC, dental office.
Cosmetic dentist Dr. Justin Deckard offers dental bonding as a cost-effective solution for common cosmetic and restorative dental concerns. Dr. Deckard can provide bonding as a comprehensive solution for many dental concerns. Our goal is to help each of our patients achieve a healthy, stable, and beautiful smile.
Dental bonding can address the following:
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Small gaps between teeth
- Black triangles
- Stained teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Slightly crooked teeth
- Short teeth
Tooth bonding can change the shape, size, and shade of teeth. Bonding offers a quick way to modify your smile. If your cosmetic problems do not react well to other treatments, including teeth whitening, bonding can help. Dental bonding adds structure to teeth. It covers cosmetic imperfections to create an even look.
The Tooth Bonding Procedure
Before dental bonding treatment, we ensure you are in good oral health. We will treat signs of gum disease and cavities to ensure your oral health issues do not affect the bonding material.
A tooth bonding procedure is non-invasive. We can often complete your bonding treatment in a single visit. The dental bonding procedure begins with a light etching to the surface of the affected teeth. We must remove a small amount of enamel for the bonding material to adhere to the tooth.
Next, Dr. Deckard will carefully apply a conditioning liquid to the tooth. Then, he will apply the bonding resin onto the tooth. He will shape the bonding resin by hand to reach the desired aesthetic.
Once the shape is right, Dr. Deckard will use a special curing light to harden the bonding resin into place. He buffs and polishes the material when the bonding resin is set to reveal a natural shine.
How to Care For Tooth Bonding
You can enjoy your new smile immediately after treatment. Dr. Deckard will discuss any aftercare instructions with you. Follow the aftercare instructions to ensure your newly bonded teeth remain stable and healthy.
Bonding is not as durable as porcelain veneers or dental crowns. However, bonding results can last anywhere from three to ten years with proper maintenance.
Routine dental visits and good oral hygiene are essential to lasting results. You can brush bonded teeth with a soft-bristled brush. Use a non-abrasive toothpaste. Avoid whitening toothpastes containing abrasive ingredients that can damage your newly bonded teeth.
Additionally, Dr. Deckard highly recommends avoiding chewing on hard foods or items. Doing so can chip the bonding material. This includes chewing on ice, pen caps, fingernails, hard candy, etc.
Tooth Bonding FAQs
Learn more about dental bonding with answers to these frequently asked questions:
Is tooth bonding reversible?
Yes. Tooth bonding is not a permanent treatment. Dr. Deckard can temporarily hide cosmetic imperfections with bonding while you wait for a permanent solution. Additionally, he will use it for minor chips or damage to a tooth. Consider getting porcelain veneers for a more permanent solution addressing the same issues tooth bonding can fix.
Do I have to change my diet after tooth bonding?
You don’t need to change your diet after getting tooth bonding. However, if you chew on hard food or ice, you could develop cracks or chips. This is still rare. Avoid directly biting on hard foods with bonded teeth to prevent damage.
Can you put dental veneers over tooth bonding?
Tooth veneers and bonding treatment can address similar cosmetic dental issues. However, you cannot use veneers and bonding on the same tooth. You can choose either dental bonding or veneers. We will help you decide which treatment option is best for your needs.
How much does tooth bonding cost?
The cost of your dental bonding treatment will depend on a few factors. If you have dental insurance and need the procedure to preserve the tooth or restore function, your insurance will likely offer some coverage.
However, if you have your teeth bonded for aesthetic purposes, this would be considered a cosmetic treatment. In this case, your insurance will likely not offer coverage.
Minor reshaping of a single tooth can cost less than $300. More in-depth treatment, such as evening out your bite, can cost a few thousand dollars.
Does insurance cover tooth bonding?
Your dental insurance may cover tooth bonding if they deem it medically necessary to restore tooth function. However, most dental insurance companies will typically not cover cosmetic bonding. This is because this bonding is for purely aesthetic purposes. Check with your specific plan to see what procedures your dental insurance covers.
Is a dental bonding procedure painful?
Dental bonding is not painful. We apply a tooth-colored composite resin to the tooth’s surface during treatment. Then, we shape and polish the material to match the surrounding teeth. We typically perform treatment without anesthesia or numbing agents, as the procedure is minimally invasive.
However, some patients may experience minor discomfort or sensitivity during or after the procedure. We can provide more information on what to expect during bonding treatment.
Schedule a Consultation
Brighten your stained tooth or fix a chipped tooth with a dental bonding treatment. To determine if tooth bonding is proper for your smile, visit our Washington, DC, dentist’s office. You can schedule an appointment or call (202) 851-7554 today. Let us know if you have questions about bonding. Dr. Deckard will help you find a treatment to fit your budget and goals.