One or more small imperfections can leave you feeling self-conscious about your smile. But you should never have to hide your smile. Perhaps you think that fixing your smile would require costly or time-consuming treatments that you just don’t feel like hassling with. Fortunately, Dr. Cederbaum offers a fast, easy, and painless treatment called dental bonding to repair the following issues in about an hour:
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Stained or dingy teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Small, or irregularly-shaped teeth
- Misaligned teeth
- Gaps between teeth
What Is Dental Bonding?
Cosmetic dentistry refers to a number of procedures that make your smile more attractive. The goal is to help you achieve a smile that makes you happy. Many people assume that all cosmetic treatments are expensive and require several office visits to complete, but that’s not the case with dental bonding.
With dental bonding, Dr. Cederbaum applies small dabs of putty-like dental resin directly to your smile and once it hardens, you’re good to go. This resin is the same material we use to make tooth-colored fillings — it’s durable, it bonds with your smile, and it can be dyed to match the color of your teeth. Bonding typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes to complete.
Just Apply, Dry, and Polish
The bonding process is really simple. It begins with your consultation with Dr. Cederbaum. You’ll tell her what your goals are and she’ll review your treatment options. If you decide on dental bonding, we’ll use a shade guide to match the color of your smile. Then you’ll return to our office for the procedure.
Dr. Cederbaum will slightly etch the surface of the area where the resin will go. The tooth will also be coated with a conditioning liquid to help create a stronger bond. Next, Dr. Cederbaum will apply the putty-like resin and mold it into the desired shape. Then, we cure the bonding using a special light. Once the bonding is completely dry, it will be polished to highlight its luster and shine.
Alternative Treatments
Bonding is a great way to spruce up your smile, especially when you want to get ready for a special occasion like a wedding or a graduation and you don’t have a lot of time. Many patients really appreciate how fast and economical it is. But bonding does have some drawbacks. For example, it doesn’t last as long as alternative treatments such as veneers. Over time, bonding resin is subject to staining and your results aren’t as impressive as you would get with veneers. These are issues you can talk about during your consultation with Dr. Cederbaum.
If you’re looking for the right cosmetic treatment to enhance your smile, schedule a consultation with Dr. Cederbaum. Just give us a call or fill out the form below and someone from our office will get right back to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does dental bonding take?
The dental bonding process can be completed in a single visit to our Seattle office — in less than an hour. Unlike porcelain veneers and crowns, bonding can be provided without taking any messy impressions of your teeth. It’s a quick, easy, and minimally invasive procedure that can be used to correct a number of imperfections in your smile.
Is dental bonding painful?
No — dental bonding is a fast and painless procedure that can be completed in a single appointment at Brooklyn Heights Dental. The area of your tooth in which the bonding takes place isn’t sensitive, so anesthesia is typically not necessary. Once the bonding process is complete, you can begin enjoying your beautiful new smile without worrying about recovering from the procedure.