Dental bonding uses tooth-colored ceramic or composite resin materials to improve the smile’s look. Patients with damaged or discolored teeth benefit from bonding treatment, receiving more balanced and bright teeth.
Tooth bonding can add structure to teeth and change the shape and shade of the enamel. Dr. Christopher Banks provides teeth bonding as a cosmetic dental service in Washington, DC, to improve the appearance of the natural smile.
What Can Dental Bonding Treat?
Similar to porcelain veneers, dental bonding can treat many different conditions. It just provides treatment more affordably and temporarily. It’s one of the most affordable dental procedures, partly because it can be removed. While it isn’t a permanent procedure like porcelain veneers, it can still last an average of 3-7 years if you take care of it properly. Since it’s removable and reversible, we can use bonding to treat children.
Everyone deals with tooth discoloration at some point in their lives. Deep intrinsic staining doesn’t respond to the traditional method of treatment—professional teeth whitening. We can color-match bonding material to match any shade of white you desire. Since it’s malleable, we can mold the material to match the shape and size of the problem tooth completely. This way, it looks natural and blends in with your smile.
With the material’s flexibility, we can create any shape and size you need. If a portion of your tooth chips or breaks off, we can mold bonding material to fill in the portion that’s now missing, making your tooth whole again. This provides both cosmetic and restorative benefits. If a large portion breaks off, it can expose the sensitive nerves and soft tissues inside the tooth. Finishing the tooth again eliminates nerve pain and sensitivity and protects the inside of your tooth from bacteria.
Each bonding treatment session is unique. If you have small gaps between your teeth, we can mold bonding material to close those gaps. When gaps are small, bonding can eliminate the need for orthodontics and more expensive procedures.
Teeth Bonding in Washington, DC
To begin bonding treatment, Dr. Banks cleans the tooth and then preps it for the bonding material by gently roughening the tooth surface. The rougher surface helps the dental material adhere to the tooth. Before applying the bonding material, Dr. Banks ensures that it matches the tooth’s color receiving treatment.
After Dr. Banks applies the bonding material to the tooth, it dries. Finally, he buffs and polishes the tooth to blend in with the other natural teeth. Dental bonding treatment is comfortable, painless, and quick. We can complete tooth bonding treatment in just one visit to our office.
Directly after bonding treatment, you can prevent staining by avoiding foods and drinks that typically stain teeth, like coffee, tea, berries, and wine. It’s also a good idea to avoid hard or crunchy foods.
Sticking to a soft diet right after treatment will allow you to get accustomed to your bonded teeth. There are no special methods for cleaning bonded teeth, but gently brushing and flossing them will keep them bright.
Tooth Bonding Aftercare
To care for bonded teeth, brush at least twice daily and floss at least once daily. When choosing a toothbrush, ensure that it has soft bristles. Medium and hard bristles are more abrasive and can erode the bonding material when brushing teeth. You should also use regular dental floss and avoid stick flossers. Toothpastes that use activated charcoal and mouthwashes that contain alcohol wear down the bonding material, too.
When you’re eating and drinking in your daily life, try not to bite down on hard foods like pretzels and nuts directly on where the bonding material is. Don’t use your teeth for anything other than their normal purpose. Opening packages with your teeth can affect not only the bonding material but also your natural tooth structure. Habits like chewing on pens or biting your nails can have the same effect.
Enhance Your Smile Today
Are you looking for a quick and effective way to fix a chipped tooth? Ask us about dental bonding treatment. Schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Banks online. You may also call Dupont Dental at (202) 946-4720.