A guide to dental bonding: One of the fastest, most affordable ways to restore your delightful smile
Do gaps in your smile make you feel less than your best? Have you developed chips over time? Has the shape or size of a certain tooth always bothered you? Now, these teeth may be otherwise healthy. But, if you have these and other cosmetic imperfections, they are no less worthy of our attention at All About Beautiful Smiles in Orlando, Florida. You deserve to look and feel your best. We can help you “get there” with a range of cosmetic dentistry services, including dental bonding. In fact, bonding performed by our talented cosmetic dentist, Dr. Tejumade St. Matthew-Daniel, is a particularly fast, affordable, and conservative way to make a big difference in the appearance of your teeth.
Brushing up on bonding
If Dr. St. Matthew-Daniel confirms that your teeth are healthy and that you could benefit from bonding, the process is painless and hassle-free! In no time, you can show off your gap- and chip-free smile.
She starts by preparing a dental material (composite resin). So, its color and other characteristics blend in with the rest of your tooth as well as the neighboring teeth. The teeth to be treated with bonding are also conditioned. This involves slightly “etching” or abrading the tooth and applying a special liquid to support the strongest bond between the natural tissue and the composite.
Dr. St. Matthew-Daniel’s considerable training and artistry shine when she applies and shapes the resin to the prepared tooth structure. It is applied as a putty-like material, which can be sculpted to reshape an oddly-contoured tooth. It can even be used to add length to a worn or undersized tooth.
After she gets the desirable aesthetic result, the composite resin is secured or bonded to the tooth by using a special curing light. The resin effectively covers up or disguises the cosmetic flaws mentioned here, as well as other spacing issues and stubborn discoloration that is not adequately corrected with professional bleaching methods.
Our patients at All About Beautiful Smiles love that dental bonding:
- Can be completed in one visit
- Makes a tremendous difference in the look of their smiles
- Is painless
- Does not require anesthetic for comfort
- Is reversible and conservative – no enamel is removed
- Provides an affordable alternative to other treatments such as veneers
No single treatment is universally appropriate. So, Dr. St. Matthew-Daniel looks forward to discussing options to get your delightful smile back with you. Call (407) 954-8448 to schedule an appointment at our office in Orlando, FL today.
Perfecting Smiles with Dental Bonding
What is dental bonding and how might it benefit patients?
Dental bonding is a method used to replace any part of a tooth that may be missing for various reasons. It is designed to improve the appearance and functionality of the tooth.
When might a dentist recommend dental bonding?
A dentist would recommend dental bonding in cases where a tooth has decayed, causing a cavity, or when a tooth is fractured and needs repair. Dental bonding is also used when a tooth requires a crown but has so much of it missing that it needs to be built up first before placing a crown on top.
What are the pros and cons of dental bonding?
Dental bonding offers several benefits. It makes the tooth more aesthetically pleasing and replaces the missing part of a cavity, enabling better chewing. However, dental bonding has its limits. If a tooth is greatly damaged, bonding alone would not suffice and could compromise the tooth further. In such cases, a crown is necessary. Similarly, if you need to change the shape or color of a tooth, dental bonding might not be the most efficient option.
Will dental bonding match my natural tooth color?
Yes, dental bonding is tailored to match your natural tooth color. This is a significant advantage over historical methods such as silver fillings, which were quite noticeable. Modern technology has brought about some amazing materials for dental bonding that blend seamlessly with the natural tooth.
Can bonded teeth still get cavities?
Yes, bonded teeth can still get cavities. Maintenance is key here. There is an interface where the filling meets your natural tooth, and if this area is not kept clean and plaque-free, cavities can develop.
How does dental bonding compare to veneers?
Dental bonding and veneers can achieve similar results, but to varying degrees. A veneer would accomplish more than dental bonding can. For example, if you have a small fracture in the front tooth, dental bonding can handle that elegantly. However, if the missing part is larger, or if you need to change the color or shape of several teeth, I would recommend veneers instead of dental bonding.
Dr. St. Matthew-Daniel, a highly skilled and accomplished dental luminary since 2005, leads All About Beautiful Smiles. Her expertise spans cosmetic dentistry, laser-based periodontal surgery, dental implants, Invisalign®, endodontics, and sleep apnea.
A University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine graduate, she pursued advanced training at Seton Hall University, gaining mastery. A pioneer in dental implantology, she holds a Mastership from The International Congress of Oral Implantology. Her passion for excellence led her to the Strupp Post Graduate School of Dentistry and the Misch Implant Institute. Driven by service, she founded the Future Dentists Club. Trust her for a remarkable dental journey!
