A small chip, an uneven edge, or a streak of tooth discoloration that just won’t go away. If even the smallest imperfections are making you self-conscious about your smile, you’re not alone. Nearly 18% of adults believe that the appearance of their teeth has a significant impact on their lives, including their ability to interview well for a job and how well they’re received in social situations.
While dental veneers are the best cosmetic dental treatment for permanent, natural-looking results, dental bonding provides a quick, affordable, and temporary fix that can help you get by until you’re able to get veneers.
Read on to learn more about how dental bonding works, what it can fix, and where to find the best cosmetic dentist in Santa Monica for dental bonding, veneers, and other cosmetic dental treatments.
Dental bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure used to repair, reshape, or enhance teeth using a tooth-colored composite resin that starts out soft like putty and then hardens under a curing light for a natural-looking finish. This is a great treatment option for people who have a:
Dental bonding is best suited for people with good dental health and consistent brushing and flossing habits. Those who have gum disease or who are undergoing orthodontic treatment will need to complete treatment first.
A common question our patients have is, “Can dental bonding fix a new chip in my tooth?” Dental bonding can repair a chip, cover mild surface discoloration, close tiny spaces, and smooth worn or jagged edges so the tooth looks more even, natural, and balanced next to neighboring teeth. If the tooth has a larger crack, a large piece missing, or is weakened by tooth decay, you may need a porcelain dental crown instead.
It’s important to remember that dental bonding is a temporary treatment that can help balance your smile until you get a permanent treatment, like porcelain dental veneers. Additionally, dental bonding can’t help large chips or cracks in the teeth, severely discolored teeth, or other dental issues like untreated cavities.
The bonding process begins with a quick look at the tooth and a shade check so the resin can be perfectly matched to the rest of your teeth. After a light prep and conditioning, which helps the bonding material stick, the resin is applied, smoothed, and shaped. When the shape is right, a bright curing light is used to harden the resin.
Once it’s cured, the bonding can be smoothed and polished to give you a natural-looking restoration. Before you’re done, the dentist will check your bite and make sure you don’t feel any sharp edges. The entire process takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth.
Dental bonding is intended as a temporary treatment, and it’s difficult to predict how long it will last. A small repair on the smooth front surface of a tooth may hold up well for months, while bonding placed on a biting edge can take more wear and may not last as long. Habits such as nail-biting and chewing hard foods wear or chip the resin even faster. Nighttime teeth grinding without a mouthguard can also impact how long your treatment lasts. Good oral hygiene and avoiding hard foods are the best ways to ensure your restoration lasts as long as possible. If you’re looking for a permanent dental restoration that lasts for years, dental veneers are a more durable option.
Located on Wilshire Blvd., our state-of-the-art Santa Monica dental office offers a spa-like environment, with a luxury, concierge-style experience from a team dedicated to providing patient-centered dental care. Whether you need something small fixed or a full smile makeover, Dr. Ellie Farahmand is known for an aesthetic eye and detail-oriented approach for all cosmetic dental treatments, including dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and Invisalign.
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