Dental Bonding Specialist
If you chip or break a tooth, dental bonding can prevent additional damage and restore your smile to a vibrant, healthy condition. At Novato Family Dental Care, Clayton Perry, DDS, Vincent Freemantle, DDS, and the team use dental bonding to repair chipped, cracked, and discolored teeth. To make an appointment, call the office in Novato, California, or use the online booking feature today.
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Dental Bonding Q & A
What is dental bonding?
Dental bonding is a type of restorative dentistry. It involves your Novato Family Dental Care provider applying composite resin to a chipped, cracked, or discolored tooth. Once placed, the bonding material dries and restores your tooth to its near-original size and shape, making it easy to bite and chew.
What kinds of issues can dental bonding correct?
At Novato Family Dental Care, the team uses dental bonding to correct various imperfections, including:
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Chipped teeth
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Cracked teeth
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Discolored teeth
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Teeth with gaps between them
You might also benefit from dental bonding if you have one or more teeth that are extra pointy. Bonding can round out the top of your teeth, making them more aesthetically pleasing.
What does dental bonding involve?
Before recommending dental bonding, your Novato Family Dental Care provider reviews your oral health history and conducts a dental exam. If your provider determines that some of your teeth have minor damage or decay, they move forward with treatment.
First, your provider uses a shade guide to find a color of resin that closely matches your natural tooth enamel. Next, your dentist administers a local anesthetic to numb your mouth and roughens the surface of your tooth. Then, they apply a liquid to your tooth that causes the bonding agent to stick.
Your provider applies the composite resin to the liquid and carefully shapes it so that it looks just like your tooth. Then, they point a special light at the resin, causing it to harden. If necessary, your provider can repeat these steps several times.
Once the resin dries, your Novato Family Dental Care provider polishes your tooth and provides care instructions.
Is dental bonding safe?
Dental bonding is safe and usually well-tolerated. Even so, the bonding material isn’t as tough or durable as your natural tooth enamel. As a result, it’s important to avoid bad habits like biting your nails, chewing on pen caps, or opening packaging with your teeth.
How long does dental bonding last?
The length of time that dental bonding lasts depends on several factors, including which teeth were repaired, the severity of the damage, and if you practice optimal oral hygiene. Often, bonding lasts 10-12* years, but it’s possible to extend the results.
The team at Novato Family Dental Care recommends:
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Brushing your teeth twice daily
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Flossing once a day
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Visiting the office every six months for professional teeth cleanings
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Avoiding hard foods and candies
If you play contact sports, like football or hockey, it’s also a good idea to wear a mouthguard during practices and games.
To see if you might benefit from dental bonding, make an appointment at Novato Family Dental Care by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.
*Individual results may vary.
