It is so frustrating to look in the mirror and see stained, chipped, dull-looking teeth. It’s not your fault. Years of drinking coffee, eating certain foods, and generally living life as a human causes teeth to look old and tarnished. You don’t have to live this way. The good news is that 32 Pearls has the best solutions to brighten your smile and make your teeth look brand new. If you are looking to improve the look, feel, and strength of your teeth, then cosmetic bonding is a service you’ll want to discover. Call 32 Pearls today for more information on affordable cosmetic bonding. (206) 322-8862
The great thing about cosmetic bonding is that it’s perfect if you only need to fix a few teeth. If you need more dental work, we have plenty of great dental services. We are happy to talk with you and take a look. We will find the best solution and make a customized plan that will get you back to smiling. Cosmetic bonding will do the trick if you have just a small amount of work needed.
- In the event that you require more than cosmetic bonding, we will refer an alternative solution to help you save time and money.
What is cosmetic bonding?
Cosmetic bonding is a cosmetic procedure that improves the appearance of a tooth. Our dentist or hygienist performs the bonding and uses composite resin, the same material used for filling cavities. The resin is available in many shades to match the color of your teeth.
How does cosmetic bonding work?
First, the dentist will clean your teeth, fill any holes, and use a mild acid to roughen the surface of your tooth. The roughness allows the resin (that matches the color and shape of your teeth) to stick to your tooth. The resin dries and hardens with a special ultraviolet light. If there’s excess resin leftover, it’s snipped away from your tooth.
Cosmetic bonding is a great option to close gaps or repair chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. The procedure changes the shape of your teeth, so they appear more uniform. Cosmetic bonding is used for gaps between teeth or if you have discolored teeth that you’d like to cover up.
What kind of material is used for dental bonding?
Cosmetic bonding utilizes composite resin to perform a perfect smile. This material is a mixture of silica filler, a resin base, and a color tint that closely matches the natural tooth color. The composite resin bonds with your tooth and becomes hard and durable after curing.
Do I need to numb my tooth for the procedure?
- No! The procedure is entirely painless. Your tooth might be anesthetized before we start but in most cases, it is not necessary.
- In the event of an anesthetic, it wears off within 4-6 hours. If you experience any sensitivity afterward, take over-the-counter pain medication and call us if the discomfort persists for more than a couple of days or worsens over that time.
How long will the bonding last?
Dental bonding is not permanent. How long it lasts depends on a number of factors, such as:
- the location of your bonded teeth (since they will be under different levels of stress from chewing and grinding)
- how well you take care of them (by practicing healthy habits like brushing and flossing, among other things)
- whether you use your bonded teeth for non-food purposes (like biting down on a pen cap, or opening a bottle)
Are there any side effects or risks to getting dental bonding?
Though cosmetic bonding can be a great option for some dental fixes, it isn’t perfect. As with your teeth, you need to be careful what you eat and drink after having the procedure done: no hard foods (like ice or hard candy) and limit your coffee intake. Why? Because bonding can stain more easily than natural teeth! And because it’s more fragile than real teeth, you may also chip or break it when biting down on something particularly tough. If this happens, contact your dentist immediately: they will likely want to fix the problem before your next visit.
Is cosmetic bonding painful?
If you are fearful about having your dental bonding procedure done, it’s important to know that cosmetic bonding is not painful. The process does not involve drilling or anesthesia, which means that the procedure is not invasive. Patients can have a cosmetic dental procedure done without fear of pain and have their teeth corrected quickly in fewer visits!
How much does it cost to get a composite resin filling?
You should seek cosmetic bonding for aesthetic reasons if you have money to spare, but if you don’t have enough funds, then it can be best to reserve your resources for other treatments.
The cost of composite resin filling depends on a number of factors:
- the amount of bonding required
the location of your dental clinic - the skill level of your dentist
- the quality and brand name of materials used
If there is a medical need for cosmetic bonding (for instance, to protect a root canal), then it’s possible that insurance will cover at least some portion of the treatment.
Cosmetic bonding is not a good solution if you are looking for a permanent fix.
To sum up: cosmetic bonding is an ideal choice if you are looking for a quick, inexpensive fix to minor cosmetic issues. However, it is not as durable or long lasting as veneers or crowns and thus may need to be redone every few years. If you are looking for a permanent solution and have cosmetic issues that extend beyond chipped or cracked teeth, you should consider other options such as veneers, crowns, or Invisalign. The good news is that all of these options are available from your dentist at 32 Pearls Seattle and Tacoma!
