Suddenly breaking a tooth can fill us with immediate anxiety and dread. We may envision hours in the dental chair and hundreds of dollars spent in an attempt to correct just one area in our mouth. However, a straightforward procedure known as dental bonding can rectify gapped, broken, and misshapen teeth. At Calcagno Family Dentistry, Dr. Gilly Calcagno and Dr. Kara Heimer offer efficient and effective dental bonding without the need for anesthesia. Their competent, compassionate patient care will ease your worries during any dental emergency.
The Procedure
- Preparing the tooth. Our dentist will sculpt or trim the tooth to prepare it for the bonding.
- Etching the tooth’s surface. The dentist will etch the tooth’s surface with an acidic “tooth conditioner.” This conditioner breaks down some of the mineral content on the enamel, the top layer of the tooth. The dentist makes the tooth surface rougher so that it will easily hold the bonding agent. The bonding agent, a liquid plastic, will fill the nooks and crannies of the uneven surface of the tooth so that the bonding agent and the tooth are securely locked together.
- Placing the composite resin. Once the bonding agent is in place, Dr. Calcagno uses the same material she uses for fillings, composite resin, to complete the restoration. She spreads the composite resin across the tooth, molding the tooth into the desired shape and size.
- Hardening the bonding agent. The dentist will shine a curing light on the tooth which hardens the bonding within seconds.
- Polishing the tooth. Dr Calcagno will complete the dental bonding by polishing it to give it the same shine and appearance as the natural teeth.
Benefits of Dental Bonding
Dental bonding can be completed in just one appointment. However, other restoration techniques such as porcelain veneers require two visits. Dental bonding also generally costs less than crowns or veneers. Crowns and veneers are created in a dental lab, an additional expense. Also, if a bonding breaks, our dentist can repair it, but other restorations such as crowns cannot be easily mended and may require replacement.
About Our Doctors
To learn more about dental bonding, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gilly Calcagno or Dr. Kara Heimer, contact our office at (507)316-6288. Calcagno Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry welcome patients living in Winona, Red Wing, St. Charles, Farmington, and the neighboring areas.
