As dentistry services have progressed, they’ve become more and more conservative, allowing us to treat and restore teeth while preserving more of their healthy, natural structure. Tooth bonding epitomizes conservative cosmetic dental treatment, and describes the artful reshaping of teeth that exhibit a variety of cosmetic tooth blemishes. With bonding, you can dramatically improve one or more teeth’s appearance in just a single visit, and without permanently modifying your tooth.
What is tooth bonding made of?
During a tooth bonding procedure, Dr. Calcagno or Dr. Heimer will apply tooth-colored composite resin to the blemished area of your tooth, then sculpt it to a more appealing size and shape. Composite resin is a mixture of various plastic and glass-like particles. It can be tinted to match your tooth’s color and shade; bonded to the tooth and sculpted to blend in with your smile’s contour; and then hardened with a curing light for increased durability.
What can tooth bonding fix?
As a minor, noninvasive cosmetic touch-up, tooth bonding is often recommended for a variety of issues, including;
- Dark, localized tooth stains
- Chipped, uneven tooth edges
- Diastema, or an excessive space between two teeth
- Slightly misshapen teeth, or teeth that appear too short
- Cavities (composite resin can also be used as a better-looking, more effective dental filling)
Do I need to receive anesthesia for the procedure?
Because there’s little manipulation to your tooth, there’s also little to no discomfort, and anesthesia isn’t typically required to apply tooth bonding.
How long does the tooth bonding last?
The life of your tooth bonding depends on a number of factors, such as the location of the tooth, the location of the bonding on the tooth, and how well you take care of your teeth. To make the most of your cosmetic restoration, be sure to brush and floss your teeth at least twice every day; avoid habitually grinding your teeth and chewing on inanimate objects; and attend a dental checkup and cleaning as often as your dentists recommends.
ABOUT YOUR ROCHESTER COSMETIC DENTISTS:
Calcagno Family and Cosmetic Dentistry offer expert services including teeth whitening, Six Month Smiles, Clear Aligner Systems, root canals, and pediatric dentistry. To schedule a consultation, please call (507) 218-8936. Dr. Gilly Calcagno and Dr. Kara Heimer welcome and serve patients from Rochester, Red Wing, St. Charles, Winona, Farmington, Austin, and the surrounding communities.
