Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material is applied and hardened with a special light, which bonds the material to the tooth to restore or improve a person’s smile. Dr. Welinsky uses tooth bonding to close gaps between teeth, elongate short teeth, fix cracks and chips, and more. Visit our family and cosmetic dentistry for all of your dental care needs.
Dental Bonding in Towson, MD
Dental bonding provides patients with cosmetic and dental health benefits. Bonding can repair a broken or chipped tooth or close gaps between teeth without the need for lengthy orthodontic treatments. Typically, Dr. Welinsky can use dental bonding to improve the appearance of your smile in just one visit to the dentist office.
- Requires less removal of tooth enamel
- Repairs damaged or broken teeth
- Can close gaps in teeth
- Durable, lasting material
- Can be molded and color-matched to adjacent teeth
- Natural-looking results
- Can be altered in the future
- Ideal for developing smiles
Does Dental Bonding Require Special After Care?
Dental Bonding is quick and convenient, allowing you to get back to your normal routine quickly. After your bonding procedure is complete, care for your smile as you normally would, including tooth brushing, flossing, and regular dental care.
Is Dental Bonding a Permanent Solution?
Dental bonding is not a permanent solution, however, can be a long-lasting solution if taken care of properly. Dental bonding can last five years or more before typically needing to be replaced or to be refinished. Some patients can maintain bonded teeth for up to 10 years with good oral habits and dental care.
Teeth Bonding: What to Expect
Dental bonding is much like a dental filling procedure and is completed in one visit. Most patients experience minimal to no discomfort and are comfortable with a local anesthetic to numb the area.
Step 1 – Preparation
Little advance preparation is needed for dental bonding. Anesthesia is often not necessary unless the bonding is being used to fill a decayed tooth, the tooth needs to be drilled to change its shape, or the chip is near the nerve. Your dentist will use a shade guide to select a composite resin color that will closely match the color of your tooth.
Step 2 – The Bonding Process
Next, the surface of the tooth will be roughened and a conditioning liquid applied. These procedures help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. The tooth-colored, putty-like resin is then applied, molded, and smoothed to the desired shape. A bright, usually blue, light, or laser is then used to harden the material. After the material is hardened, your dentist will further trim and shape it and polish it to match the sheen of the rest of the tooth surface.
Step 3 – Completion
Dental bonding takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete. You can use your teeth almost immediately after your dental bonding appointment.
Teeth Bonding FAQs
Is dental bonding expensive?
Dental bonding is considered a more affordable option compared to porcelain veneers. However, every patient is different. At a consultation, we can give you a better idea of what to expect.
How soon can I eat after tooth bonding?
You should be able to eat pretty directly after the procedure. For the first 24 hours, stick to softer foods. The force of chewing harder foods can crack the bonding material before it’s settled and has its full strength.
Does dental bonding ruin teeth?
No. Over time, the material used may chip or become discolored, but it doesn’t impact your actual tooth.
Contact our family-friendly dentistry office if you are interested in learning more about dental bonding. Contact us at (410) 692-8453 or use our online appointment request form and we will contact you shortly. Dr. Welinsky’s Baltimore, MD area dentist office is convenient for patients in Towson, West Towson, Parkville, and many suburbs in Baltimore, MD.