Does Tooth Bonding Look Natural?

Young woman smiling with the sun behind her

Does Tooth Bonding Look Natural?

Young woman smiling with the sun behind her

Our Portage cosmetic dentist offers several cosmetic dental procedures for patients who are wanting to alter the look of their smile. Sometimes though, there is only a small issue in need of correction and a procedure like porcelain veneers is a step beyond what’s desired.

For smaller restorations, Dr. Paul will recommend cosmetic bonding. Perfect for chips or cracks, bonding involves the application of a tooth-colored composite resin to a tooth’s surface. It is then shaped, hardened, and polished. The result is natural and visibly seamless thanks to the material used.

Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of cosmetic bonding.

Repairs a Range of Minor Issues

Maybe you had a sports related injury years back or you recently bit down on a piece of candy a little too hard. Perhaps you’ve even had that space between your teeth since you were a kid.

How ever your tooth imperfections came to be, Dr. Paul is here to help. Dental bonding can correct issues like gaps, cracks, chips, discoloration, or teeth that are irregularly shaped.

The goal of cosmetic bonding is to have the end result look natural. This is thanks to a shade guide used by Dr. Paul and the application of tooth-colored resin. No one will know by looking at you that you ever had cracked or spaced teeth.

Remember that bonding is best suited for minor repairs. If the cosmetic restorations required are significant, we may suggest alternative treatment.

More Natural Enamel Retained

Veneers and dental crowns both involve a more intensive cosmetic process. This often equates to the removal of more of your natural tooth enamel. If this were a contest, bonding would win as it requires the least amount taken off.

Tooth enamel is what you see covering the outside of your teeth. Made up of a high percentage of minerals that enable its strength, enamel protects the more sensitive layers of teeth underneath.

When Dr. Paul removes enamel for procedures, your teeth are permanently altered. Any changes are generally irreversible. Bonding instead maintains more of your natural tooth structure while still fixing unwanted issues.

Low Time Commitment

A major advantage of bonding is how little time it takes to complete the procedure. Depending on how many teeth are being bonded, it will take Dr. Paul anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

Compared to other similar options, cosmetic bonding is also much less expensive. If you’re looking to close a small gap or fix a chipped tooth and feel veneers are a bit excessive for your needs, bonding may be right for you.

Straightforward Procedure

Dental bonding is less invasive and does not need much advanced tooth preparation. Because of this, it is a relatively painless procedure and should not require any numbing or local anesthesia.

Dr. Paul will start the procedure by roughening up the surface of the tooth and applying a special conditioning liquid. This will help the bonding material adhere to the tooth.

We’ll apply the resin, mold it, and smooth it to the desired shape before it’s hardened with a bright light. Afterward, Dr. Paul will trim and shape the cured resin a bit more and finish by polishing it to match your natural tooth’s sheen.

Explore Cosmetic Dentistry for Yourself

Are you embarrassed about a crack or chip in your tooth? Our cosmetic dentist in Portage, MI, may suggest that you pursue the dental bonding procedure. Request an appointment with our office online or call Courtside Dental today at (269) 327-1011.

This blog post has been updated.

Related Blog Posts