Dental Bonding, Shaping, Contouring in Houston

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What Is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding uses a special type of dental resin to restore and reshape your teeth. This resin is similar to the material used for a tooth-colored filling. During treatment, Dr. Williams or Dr. Ma will apply it directly to your tooth and shape it to restore your smile.

The process takes only a single appointment, and treatment begins by cleaning and numbing your mouth. Then, Dr. Williams or Dr. Ma will apply the resin and begin sculpting it into the proper overall shape. Once the rough shape looks good, the resin will be hardened using a UV light. 

Next, specialized dental tools will be used to refine the shape of the tooth until the resin looks like part of your natural smile. Once the tooth looks and feels perfect, it will be buffed and polished, completing the procedure. It takes about 30-60 minutes to treat each tooth with dental bonding.

What Is Shaping & Contouring?

Shaping and contouring are also known as “enameloplasty.” These treatments consist of buffing away a very thin layer of enamel from some of your teeth to refine their shape, and it’s often used alongside dental bonding to correct uneven teeth and make sure your smile looks seamless. With bonding, shaping and contouring, you can get the smile you’ve always wanted.

Is This a Cosmetic Service?

Teeth bonding can be both a cosmetic and restorative treatment. It is most commonly used in cosmetic dentistry to improve the appearance of teeth by improving discoloration, closing gaps, or covering up chips, cracks, and uneven or worn down teeth. Any sort of minor cosmetic imperfection can be covered with teeth bonding.

However, teeth bonding can also be used to restore the structure and strength of a tooth that has been damaged from bruxism or dental trauma as an alternative to dental crowns. When teeth are chipped or cracked, it’s important to restore the structure of the tooth to protect it from damage and assist with functionality such as chewing.

Whether a patient is electing to get dental bonding purely for cosmetic reasons or to repair damage caused by injury or decay will affect its eligibility to be covered by dental insurance. Purely cosmetic procedures are typically not covered by insurance.

The Process

The entire cosmetic dental bonding procedure takes between 30-60 minutes per tooth. Local anesthesia is typically not required because the procedure is painless and there are no nerves in the enamel of your teeth. However, it may be administered if your tooth requires drilling or if we have to come into close contact with an exposed nerve.

Preparation – An enameloplasty may be performed to slightly alter the shape of your enamel before bonding the composite resin to your tooth. Tooth contouring and cosmetic dental bonding are often combined to create the ultimate aesthetic. A shade guide will be used to match the resin to your natural tooth enamel and blend in with the rest of your teeth.

Tooth Bonding – To help encourage the tooth bonding process, we will etch the surface of your enamel and then apply a conditioning liquid that helps the adhesive stick. The composite resin will then be applied to the tooth and cured with UV light. This hardens the bonding instantly. Additional contouring and shaping can be performed at this point. Your dentist in Houston, TX will finish the procedure by polishing your tooth.

The Benefits Of Bonding, Shaping & Contouring

• Get results in just a single appointment – Since it only takes about an hour to bond each tooth, you can have multiple teeth treated at once and completely restore your smile in just a single appointment.
• Non-invasive and pain-free – Most patients do not even need to be numbed during the process of dental bonding because it’s completely non-invasive. Numbing is not necessary during shaping & contouring, either, but you can opt to be numbed during the process if you feel it would make your experience more comfortable.
• Affordable for any budget – Dental bonding is usually much more affordable than other cosmetic treatments like porcelain veneers. If you want to restore your smile on a tight budget, dental bonding is a great option.
• Alternative treatment – Dental bonding can be used as a more affordable alternative to dental crowns or veneers as it achieves many of the same structural and cosmetic benefits of these treatments without multiple appointments and the higher cost.
• Improves dental imperfections – Dental bonding is incredibly effective at improving the appearance of your teeth and smile. Whether you have stained teeth, minor orthodontic issues, or you want to change the shape, size, or length of your teeth entirely, this can all be achieved with a quick dental bonding procedure.
• Restores damaged teeth – Composite resin is also used to fill the missing structure of a tooth from decay or dental trauma. It is also used to repair chips and cracks to restore the structural integrity and strength of your teeth.
• Minimal tooth prep – Dental bonding can be performed with minimal removal of tooth enamel to achieve the desired results, unlike other cosmetic procedures such as veneers and dental crowns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does tooth bonding hurt?

Dental bonding is a popular cosmetic procedure that many people consider to enhance their smiles. One common concern for patients considering this treatment is whether the process is painful. The good news is that dental bonding is typically not painful. The procedure involves the application of a composite resin to the surface of the teeth, which is then shaped and hardened to improve the tooth’s appearance.

Most patients report feeling little to no discomfort during the procedure. This is largely because dental bonding can usually be placed without drilling away and removing any of the natural tooth structure. In cases where some enamel removal is required to prepare the tooth’s surface, a local anesthetic is used to ensure the patient remains comfortable.

However, this is usually not unnecessary. After the procedure, some patients might experience slight sensitivity, but this usually subsides quickly. At EaDo Family Dental, Dr. Bianca Williams and Dr. John Ma ensure that patient comfort is a top priority, providing a stress-free experience for everyone.

Is dental bonding permanent?

Dental bonding is an excellent option for those looking to make aesthetic improvements to their teeth. But just like other cosmetic treatments, it’s important to understand that it will not last forever. It’s not a permanent solution.

The lifespan of dental bonding can vary depending on several factors, including the patient’s oral hygiene habits, lifestyle, and the location of the bonded tooth. On average, dental bonding can last anywhere from 3 to 10 years.

The composite resin used in dental bonding is durable, but it is not quite as strong as natural tooth enamel. This means it can chip or wear down over time, especially if the bonded teeth are subjected to excessive force, such as biting on hard objects or grinding teeth.

Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene practices can help extend the life of dental bonding. At EaDo Family Dental, our team can provide you with guidance on how to care for bonded teeth and ensure they last as long as possible.

Can you whiten bonded teeth?

Teeth whitening is a common cosmetic procedure that many people consider to achieve a brighter smile. However, when it comes to bonded teeth, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. 

Unlike natural tooth enamel, the composite resin used in dental bonding does not respond to traditional whitening treatments. This means that while your natural teeth may become whiter, the bonded areas will remain the same color, potentially creating a mismatch.

If you’re considering teeth whitening and have bonded teeth, make sure you tell your dentist. They can customize your whitening plan to make sure that your natural teeth match your bonded teeth, providing a seamless result.

If you already have bonded teeth and wish to whiten your smile to an even brighter shade, your dentist can replace the bonding material post-whitening to match your new tooth color. At EaDo Family Dental, Dr. Bianca Williams and Dr. John Ma are experienced in cosmetic dentistry and can provide personalized advice to achieve your desired results.

Is dental bonding safe?

Safety is a critical consideration for any dental procedure, and patients can rest assured that dental bonding is a safe and well-established treatment. The materials used in dental bonding, primarily composite resin, are biocompatible and have been used in dentistry for many years. They do not pose any known health risks and are safe for use in the mouth.

The dental bonding procedure itself is minimally invasive, meaning it preserves most of the natural tooth structure. This makes it a preferable option for many patients looking to improve their smile without undergoing more extensive procedures. 

At EaDo Family Dental, patient safety is paramount, and both Dr. Bianca Williams and Dr. John Ma are committed to providing treatments that are both effective and safe. They take the time to explain the procedure and address any concerns patients may have, ensuring a comfortable and informed experience.

Schedule a Cosmetic Consultation Today!

If you are thinking about restoring your smile with cosmetic dentistry, EaDo Family Dental offers a judgment-free approach and beautiful results. We provide affordable, professional cosmetic care in Houston, and we’d love to help you get the smile you deserve! Give us a call now at (713) 474-2334 to get started, or stop by our office at 2240 Navigation Blvd, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77003.