Baton Rouge Cosmetic Dentist

Patient Testimonials

Tooth Bonding

What is tooth bonding?
When teeth have chips, spaces between them, stains, or other flaws, they can be bonded. An enamel-like material is applied, and then hardened and sculpted to fill those gaps, cover the flaws, or improve the color or shape of the teeth. The materials used are matched to the shade, translucency and texture of your teeth. Composite tooth bonding is a cosmetic dentistry technique that can work wonders for your smile. And doesn't a terrific smile work wonders on your confidence?

How is a tooth bonded?
It's usually a one-visit procedure. First, the tooth is prepared by a light roughening on the area to be repaired. This doesn't usually require any anesthetic. Then the tooth's surface is etched with a gel, and bonding primers and resins are applied. The dental composite has a paste-like consistency so it can be sculpted to the right shape and applied easily. They come in varying degrees of translucency and contain pigments which are matched to your tooth color. The composite is usually applied in several layers so as to duplicate the depth of color of the natural tooth. A high-intensity curing light is then used to harden it. With the latest dental technology, we can thus mimic the color details and translucency of your tooth for a natural, healthy appearance.

How long will tooth bonding last?
The technology of composite tooth bonding materials brings enhanced beauty to your teeth. However, they have are some limitations you should know about. Their durability depends on many factors that are unique to the individual. For many people ten or fifteen years make no difference to how good the bonding looks. For others, some staining may appear on the edges of the bonding after a year or two and they'll need some touch-up work. If you take care of it well, some touch-up work would be normal after three to five years but it would be unlikely you'd ever have to replace it,

If you maintain the teeth bonding work as recommended, and if improper professional cleaning does not damage it, it will not darken or discolor with age. It should not stain any more than your natural teeth. In most cases, it's also durable enough to withstand the stresses of ordinary mouth function.

So maintain your bonded teeth by brushing and flossing faithfully and by avoiding sweets or starchy foods between meals. Bonding lasts longer when it's kept clean. Be careful to choose gentle cleaning tools because harsh toothpaste will dull the shine on bonding and make it more likely to become stained. Hard toothbrushes will also damage bonding. If you have extensive bonding work, we recommend regular professional cleaning. Having your teeth cleaned two to four times a year by a hygienist skilled in bonding maintenance will help protect the bonding and keep it looking better for longer.

If you have minor flaws in one or many teeth, you should consider dental bonding as a quick and economical way to improve your appearance.

If you live in Baton Rouge, Hammond, Port Allen, or anywhere in Louisiana, and are considering dental bonding in a friendly, caring atmosphere, please call or e-mail us today to set up your preliminary consultation.