Dental bonding – Change the shape, size, shade, and spacing of your teeth in one visit
Dental bonding is one of the easiest, fastest, and most affordable ways to enhance the appearance of your teeth. Other types of dental restorations involve “preparing” artificial tooth structure outside of the mouth. But, with cosmetic bonding at Ocean Shore Dentistry, Dr. Ravi Shah can apply a tooth-like dental material to the front surfaces of noticeably “imperfect” teeth. From our office in Ocean Township, New Jersey, Dr. Shah applies his artistry and technical skills to shape and secure the material precisely. Once in place, your cosmetic concerns are covered up – all others see is your attractive, uniformly-spaced, regularly-sized, and perfectly-shaped teeth!
What material is used for bonding?
Typically, bonding involves the use of composite resin. Modern composites blend plastic resin with glass-like particles to recreate the appearance of natural tooth enamel.
Am I a good candidate for dental bonding?
Cosmetic bonding is appropriate for our patients who have healthy teeth and gums. While their mouths are healthy, they may be concerned about changes in the appearance of their teeth. Or, they may have wanted to change the appearance of a troublesome tooth for as long as they can remember. A few examples of how Dr. Shah transforms smiles with bonding include:
- Closing small gaps between the teeth
- Covering up chips and other wear and tear to the surfaces of the teeth
- Adding length to a poorly-sized tooth
- Reshaping an oddly-contoured tooth
- Disguising deep discoloration or very yellow stains that do not respond well to professional teeth bleaching
- Creating the appearance of evenly spaced teeth for patients with certain types of misalignment
How is the resin bonded to my teeth?
The whole process can be completed in just one visit. Dr. Shah “etches” or adds texture to the troublesome teeth. These teeth are also conditioned to support the strongest grip between the tooth structure and the composite. No part of the tooth is actually removed for bonding. With this procedure, your tooth structure is preserved. Since the enamel covering your teeth remains intact, bonding is not associated with painful sensitivity. It is well-tolerated without a numbing anesthetic. After the composite is prepared and the color has been matched to blend in with the rest of the tooth and the surrounding teeth, it is applied as a putty that can be shaped.
This is the step where Dr. Shah’s talents sparkle; he covers up imperfections in a way that looks natural and supports a result that is indistinguishable from the surrounding, unaltered teeth. When everything looks and feels perfect, the composite is hardened and bonded securely to the teeth before being polished to a fine luster.
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Can I get my dental bonding in a single appointment?
Yes. In most cases, dental bonding can be completed in a single appointment at Ocean Shore Dentistry. After evaluating your smile, Dr. Ravi Shah applies a tooth-colored composite resin matched to your natural teeth. The material is shaped, hardened, bonded securely, and polished for a smooth finish. Because bonding does not require laboratory fabrication and preserves natural tooth structure, it is a quick and effective option for correcting chips, small gaps, discoloration, and other cosmetic concerns.
How does dental bonding compare to veneers?
Veneers are largely recommended for the same reasons as dental bonding – to disguise imperfections with the teeth that can mar the appearance of your smile as a whole. However, veneers are usually made from porcelain. This material resists stains well, looks particularly natural, and is strong. Due to its durability, veneers are considered to be a long-lasting option. Unlike bonding, they require at least two appointments. The veneers are prepared or made outside of the mouth by our dental lab. Once they are ready, these thin shells of porcelain are applied to the front surfaces of teeth that have been slightly reduced (a small amount of enamel is removed, so the veneer will fit right on top of the tooth). Veneers also cost more upfront than dental bonding.
There are trade-offs with each type of procedure. We look forward to discussing the considerations with you. Rest assured, at our full-service dental office in Ocean, NJ, there is certain to be a treatment that helps your smile make a big, confidence-boosting splash. Call Ocean Shore Dentistry at (732) 466-3966 to schedule your consultation today.
