Dental Bonding in Harrisburg, NC
Age and stress take a toll on our teeth: among American adults, cracked teeth are the most common dental injury. If you have imperfections in your smile, there are many solutions. One of the most affordable remedies is dental bonding, a cosmetic treatment used to enhance your smile by rectifying tooth imperfections, such as cracks and chips, gaps, discoloration, or decay.
During this common procedure, Dr. Ney applies a tooth-colored composite resin to the surface of your tooth. The resin is matched to your natural teeth so that the bonding seamlessly blends into your smile.
What Is Dental Bonding Used For?
Dental bonding is a versatile solution to dental imperfections. While dental bonding serves a primarily cosmetic function, it can also decrease sensitivity and prevent decay-causing bacteria from building up in vulnerable cracks in your teeth.
Dr. Ney may recommend bonding as a solution to mend the following concerns:
- Chipped and cracked teeth
- Decayed teeth
- Gaps in your smile
- Discoloration
- Tooth sensitivity
- Misshapen or small teeth
Patients with gum disease or other oral health problems should address these issues before cosmetic procedures are done.
Benefits of Dental Bonding
If you are looking for an affordable and quick resolution to restore your smile, dental bonding can help. While other aesthetic-enhancing procedures, like porcelain veneers, are used to make dramatic and permanent changes, dental bonding is more suitable for smaller improvements. Read on to learn about the many benefits of dental bonding.
Simple and Quick Procedure
Unlike porcelain veneers and dental crowns, which require more involved procedures, dental bonding requires just one visit. The procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes per tooth. You’ll leave the office with an immediate, natural result. Because the composite resin comes in different shades, Dr. Ney will be able to match it perfectly to your natural teeth. No one but you will know that you’ve had dental bonding done.
Non-Invasive
Dental bonding is not an invasive treatment. While dental crowns and veneers require enamel to be removed from the teeth, dental bonding keeps the enamel intact. During your bonding procedure, Dr. Ney will apply and shape resin, a putty-like material, to your affected tooth. You’ll experience no pain during your procedure, and most patients don’t require any anesthesia.
No Downtime
Another benefit of dental bonding is that you can immediately return to work or school and resume your normal daily activities after your treatment. While crowns and veneers take some time to get used to, dental bonding has no adjustment period. There’s absolutely no downtime needed, which means that you’ll be able to flash your beautiful new smile right away.
Reversible
Let’s face it: crowns and veneers take commitment, as they are permanent restorations. While cosmetic bonding can last for years, it is reversible. If you decide down the road that you’d like a more dramatic transformation, we can remove the bonding and pursue alternative cosmetic treatments like porcelain veneers.
Budget-Friendly
Bonding is one of the most cost-effective cosmetic solutions in dentistry. If cost has prevented you from enhancing your smile, you may be interested in our flexible financing options. We partner with dental financing companies to ensure our patients can receive comprehensive and affordable dental care.
What to Expect During Your Dental Bonding Procedure
If you think that dental bonding might be right for you, schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Ney. He’ll ask about your medical history, the medications you take, and your hygiene routines. You’ll share your cosmetic goals and discuss your budget. Dr. Ney will also conduct an oral exam of your gums and teeth, which will help him determine if dental bonding is the best course of treatment for your damaged tooth.
If dental bonding is right for you, you’ll schedule your procedure visit. At your appointment, Dr. Ney will match the color of the composite resin to your natural teeth to ensure that you’ll leave with a natural-looking smile. He’ll then clean the tooth, rough its surface, and apply a conditioning liquid. These steps help the bonding material to adhere to the tooth. Dr. Ney will then apply and shape the resin to your tooth. It is hardened using ultraviolet light, which seals the material to the tooth. At this point, Dr. Ney will make finishing touches and polish the tooth. You can leave the office immediately after your appointment with a sparkling smile.
Dental Bonding Care Recommendations
You have a beautiful new smile, so how do you keep it radiant? Dental bonding lasts 3 to 10 years before repairs or replacements are needed. You can extend the life of your smile with your aftercare routine.
One advantage of dental bonding is that you don’t need to use any special cleaning products to maintain your smile; you’ll simply follow standard oral hygiene recommendations:
- Brush twice a day with a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste. Leave the whitening toothpaste on the shelf: it is too abrasive for your teeth and won’t change the color of the resin.
- Floss daily.
- Use a mouthguard when playing sports or if you grind your teeth at night.
- Schedule regular six-month appointments with Dr. Ney for checkups and cleanings.
How to Prevent Damage to Your Smile
The composite resin is not as strong as your natural teeth, so it’s easier to chip if you bite your nails, chew on pens, or crunch ice. Eating hard and chewy foods can also lead to premature damage.
Bonding is more likely to stain than porcelain veneers, so for the first 48 hours after your procedure, you should avoid consuming food or drinks that might stain your teeth. After that, limiting your consumption of dark-colored beverages like coffee, red wine, cola, and fruit juice as well as foods like berries and dark sauces, will prolong the appearance of your smile. Brushing and rinsing after eating or using a straw can also help prevent staining.
In addition to causing other oral health issues, smoking or chewing tobacco can contribute to teeth staining.
Affordable Smile Transformations
An advantage to dental bonding compared to other cosmetic procedures is its cost-effectiveness. We also work with three different dental financing companies—CareCredit, LendingClub, and Ally—to help our patients afford a smile they can share proudly. These companies offer flexible financing plans with 0% introductory rates and short- and long-term payment options. Convenient monthly payment options allow you to pay for your dental bonding treatment in manageable installments.
We will gladly discuss financing options with you at your consultation so you can make sure that your smile transformation will fit into your budget.
Are You Ready to Enhance Your Smile?
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your cosmetic goals and budget with Dr. David P. Ney, DDS, your trusted dentist in Harrisburg, NC. With 25 years of experience, Dr. Ney can design a personalized treatment plan that camouflages your tooth imperfections and allows you to smile confidently.
Dental bonding, in particular, has many benefits that make it a tried and true solution to many patients’ cosmetic flaws. From repairing cracked, chipped, or decayed teeth to fixing gaps and discoloration, dental bonding can help you achieve the beautiful smile you’ve always envisioned.