Dental Bonding in Apex

Dental bonding uses a special type of dental resin to sculpt, reshape, and improve the appearance of one or more teeth. This resin is similar to the material used for tooth-colored dental fillings.

By applying resin directly to the outside of your tooth, Dr. Barker can improve the appearance of your tooth by covering up stains, enlarging the tooth, and ensuring it fits evenly with the rest of your mouth. Bonding is an excellent choice for people who may be self-conscious due to smile imperfections.

To begin the process, Dr. Barker will clean your mouth and apply a special liquid to the tooth to roughen its surface. This is necessary to provide a tight hold for the dental bonding material. Once your tooth has been prepared, she will select a resin material that matches the color of your teeth perfectly. This ensures a seamless appearance.

Next, Dr. Barker will apply several layers of resin to your tooth. Each layer will be shaped and sculpted with special tools, then hardened with UV light. Once the initial restoration is complete, she will use a dental drill to trim away any unnecessary material and finalize the appearance of your tooth.

After that, you’ll be sent home, or the process will repeat if you’re restoring more than one tooth. It takes about 30-60 minutes to treat each tooth, so it’s often possible to restore multiple teeth in a single appointment at Cardinal Family Dentistry.

Dental bonding and veneers are quite similar. Both treatments are commonly used to correct cosmetic flaws in teeth, and offer excellent results when done by an experienced dentist in Apex like Dr. Barker.

There are some differences, though. The biggest difference is that veneers are not reversible. This is because your natural teeth need to be trimmed to make room for your veneers. This is not necessary for dental bonding. While it’s rare to reverse bonding treatment, it is possible to remove bonding and get your original smile back.

Veneers also take longer to get than dental bonding, requiring at least 2 appointments over a span of about 2-3 weeks. In contrast, bonding can be done in just a single appointment at Cardinal family Dentistry. Bonding is also less expensive than veneers, so it’s a better option if you’re on a budget.

However, it’s important to note that bonding is also less durable than veneers. Bonding usually lasts between 5-8 years, while veneers can last 10-20 years with proper care. Keep this in mind when choosing between these treatments.

Because we apply the bonding material to the surface of the teeth, which have minimal sensitivity, dental bonding is typically painless and doesn’t even require the use of local anesthesia. However, in cases where patients have increased tooth sensitivity, if a chip is exposing a nerve and we have to come close to your gums, or if the bond is being used to fill a cavity, an anesthetic may be used. 
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If you are concerned about tooth sensitivity or pain, discuss this with Dr. Sarah S. Barker before your appointment. She may suggest that you take pain relief medication before the start of your appointment or can suggest additional sedation. 
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Dental bonding is a minimally invasive and painless procedure so you should have nothing to worry about. If you experience dental anxiety or have low pain tolerance, please inform us so we can do everything in our power to make you as comfortable as possible.

Dental bonding, on average, lasts between 3-10 years. It depends on several factors such as the location of your bonding, lifestyle habits, oral hygiene, and wear and tear. The rear molars are not the best candidates for dental bonding because the force of chewing and grinding can quickly cause degradation of the bonding material. 
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The front teeth, which are not used for chewing, are the best candidates for bonding. To make your bonded teeth last as long as possible, be sure to practice good oral hygiene by brushing them twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. 
Floss every day and attend dental visits every 6 months for checkups and cleanings. There’s also a list of things you should avoid so you don’t cause staining or damage to your bonded teeth:
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- Wear a mouthguard if you grind or clench your teeth
- Do not chew on hard foods, ice, or inanimate objects
- Reduce your consumption of staining foods/drinks 
- Do not smoke or consume tobacco products
- Do not use a hard-bristled toothbrush
- Do not use your teeth as tools or to open packages
- Avoid sticky foods that can dislodge your dental bonding
- Drink through a straw to limit contact with staining drinks

A good candidate for dental bonding is a patient with minor aesthetic problems with their teeth but who is otherwise in good oral and overall health. While dental bonding can fix many problems like discoloration, minor chips, cracks, or gaps, and misshapen, worn down, or abnormally small teeth, it is not the best treatment for severely damaged teeth with large chips, cracks, or gaps. 

In this case, you may want to consider dental crowns or veneers. You also need to consider your lifestyle. Are you able to take care of your bonded teeth to get the most out of them? Bonded teeth can become worn down, chipped, cracked, or dislodged if they undergo teeth grinding, significant chewing forces, or other forms of damage. 
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If you grind your teeth, dental bonding may not last very long for you unless you can commit to wearing a mouthguard at night. We also do not recommend bonding teeth that are used for chewing.

Yes, bonded teeth look natural because dentists compare the color of teeth to a color guide to find composite resin material that best matches your teeth. The dental bonding will be barely noticeable, and most people won’t notice you have bonded teeth unless you point it out to them. Dentists also mold and shape the bonding material so the affected teeth bond seamlessly with the rest, and you can have a beautiful, natural smile to show the world.

Yes, bonded teeth can get cavities, and here’s why. While it’s true that the dental bonding material is made of composite resin impervious to cavities, the dentist only smears this material on the affected teeth and doesn't use it to replace the teeth. The teeth underneath the bonding are still susceptible to cavities, especially if you neglect proper oral hygiene. Brush and floss your teeth at least once daily to keep cavities at bay.

Yes, insurance does cover dental bonding, but several factors determine whether insurance will cover your dental bonding. Insurance mainly covers dental bonding when the procedure repairs damaged teeth. Damaged teeth here mean chipped, fractured, or cracked teeth. Most insurance companies won’t cover dental bonding for aesthetic reasons like addressing tooth discoloration.

Taking good care of your teeth after dental bonding is imperative to the longevity of the bonding and to eliminate cavity-causing bacteria. Proper care entails brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste twice daily. You should also floss your teeth once every day and steer clear of highly pigmented drinks like coffee, wine, and soda. It’s also essential to avoid biting down on hard foods like raw carrots or using the bonded teeth to open beer and soda bottles.

The dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth before recommending dental bonding for your teeth. The treatment may be unsuitable for patients with severely damaged teeth. This includes patients with severe tooth decay, large tooth fractures, gum disease, or other dental complications. In such cases, the dentist might have to treat the underlying complications first or recommend other treatments before the dental bonding. Sometimes, dental bonding is out of the question, and the dentist will administer other treatments like dental filling or implants.

Dental bonding usually sets within 60 to 90 minutes after the procedure. Patients are free to eat and drink at their volution once this period elapses. However, as earlier advised, avoid hard and crunchy foods that may damage the bonding. Highly pigmented drinks also stain your teeth, ruining the visual appeal of your dental work. Sticky foods are also out of the question since they can cling to and dislodge the bonding material.