For patients that have minor tooth damage or cosmetic dental concerns, Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry can easily correct this with tooth bonding. Teeth bonding is a popular and easy way to transform your smile completely in Durham, NC. Dental bonding is a composite resin that looks similar to a tooth. Our dentist will use it to hide or fix issues with your teeth fully. This treatment is fast and can be completed in a single dentist appointment.
Dr. James Furgurson and Dr. Nathan White are experienced cosmetic dentists who welcome patients from Durham, NC, who want to improve the appearance of their teeth. With this treatment, they have helped many patients correct their dental concerns and achieve a natural-looking smile.
Why Do I Need Tooth Bonding?
Your dentist can use dental bonding to fix dental problems for health and appearance. While small issues like minor chips or cracks might seem unimportant, treating them is essential for oral health. It helps prevent damage and keeps your teeth working properly for chewing.
Dr. Furgurson or Dr. White may recommend this treatment to correct:
- Damaged, chipped, or cracked teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Discolored or stained teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- A tooth cavity
Benefits of Bonding
Tooth bonding provides many benefits, including:
Quick and Simple Treatment
Dental bonding is a fast process that usually only takes one visit to the dentist. The procedure is simple and doesn’t require much preparation. Unlike some other treatments, bonding usually doesn’t require removing much of your natural tooth structure. This means it’s a less invasive treatment.
Improved Appearance
Bonding can fix small cosmetic issues like chipped, cracked, or discolored teeth. It can also close small gaps between teeth and improve the shape of your teeth for a more even smile. We customize the treatment to match the look of your natural teeth.
Affordable Treatment
Teeth bonding is a more affordable option compared to other dental treatments like veneers or crowns. It allows you to fix cosmetic dental issues, such as chips, cracks, or gaps, without the high cost of more expensive treatments. With bonding, you can get a natural-looking result that enhances the look of your teeth while staying within your budget.
Is Tooth Bonding Right For Me?
You might be a good candidate for tooth bonding at our Durham, NC, dental office if you:
Have Minor Cosmetic Concerns
Tooth bonding is a great choice if you have small cosmetic issues like minor chips or cracks in your teeth, small gaps between teeth, or a single stained tooth. However, bonding may not be the best option for more serious problems like large fractures, wide gaps, or multiple stained teeth. In these cases, other treatments like veneers might be more suitable.
Have Good Oral Health
Before we can proceed with bonding treatment, you must be in good oral health. If you have issues like gum disease or tooth decay, we will need to treat those first. Once your oral health is stable, we can start planning your bonding treatment.
Have a Tight Budget
Tooth bonding is a more affordable option compared to other cosmetic treatments, such as veneers. Because it only targets the specific areas, it offers a budget-friendly choice for people who don’t need to change their whole smile. It also benefits patietns who want to improve their teeth at a lower cost.
Dental Bonding: What To Expect
Dental bonding is a fairly simple procedure that requires only a single visit to our Durham, NC, dentist office. Dr. Furgurson or Dr. White may use teeth bonding as part of an entire smile makeover and other cosmetic or restorative treatments.
During your appointment, our dentist will first prepare the tooth (or teeth). Anesthesia is not necessary. This step involves roughing the surface tooth and applying a bonding agent. Creating a rough surface on the tooth will help the composite adhere to the tooth better.
Dr. Furgurson or Dr. White will then apply the tooth-colored composite resin directly to the tooth. They will need to sculpt the material into the desired shape and size by hand.
Once our dentist is happy with the tooth’s shape and size, he will cure the material in place with ultraviolet light. Finally, when the composite has cured, our dentist will trim, shape, and polish it to match the sheen of the rest of the tooth surface.
How to Care For Bonded Teeth
Teeth bonding is less durable than other treatments, such as dental crowns or porcelain veneers. It may need a touch-up and will need replacement in three to ten years. How long dental bonding lasts depends on how well you care for your teeth. They are also more vulnerable to staining from dark foods and drinks.
Follow these tips to care for your bonded teeth:
Brush and Floss Daily
You can care for your bonded teeth like your natural teeth. When you brush, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste with non-abrasive ingredients. Do not brush your teeth too hard, because it can damage both your bonded teeth and your natural teeth. Floss between your teeth before you brush to remove leftover food.
Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks
If you enjoy coffee, tea, and soda, we will recommend that you drink these beverages through a straw. Bonding is not as stain-resistant as other options like veneers. Some foods and drinks can change the color of the material. Drinking water after consuming foods and drinks that can stain your teeth will help wash away staining particles from your teeth.
Don’t Grind Your Teeth
Contact us if you notice any signs of teeth clenching or grinding. Also known as bruxism, this is a common sign of TMJ disorders and can damage your bonding material. We can create a nightguard to protect your teeth.
Avoid Bad Habits
Do not bite your nails, use your teeth as tools, or chew on ice after you get dental bonding. These bad habits can chip or crack your bonded teeth. You may need to visit our office to repair the damaged material.
Visit Us For Regular Visits
We recommend that you continue to visit our office twice a year. At these visits, we will ensure your bonded teeth are in good condition. We can also remove and replace the material if needed to maintain the appearance of your teeth.
How Much Does Tooth Bonding Cost?
If you need teeth bonding to repair tooth decay or damage, it will likely be covered by dental insurance. However, if you choose to have a tooth treated for cosmetic purposes, you will have to pay out of pocket.
The average cost for one tooth is about $300-$600, and depending on your oral hygiene habits, it should last between five and ten years. Our dental staff will work with you to maximize your dental health benefits and discuss your portion of the total cost.
Improve Your Natural Smile
Get teeth bonding treatment in Durham, NC. Call 919.736.6175 or schedule an appointment with Dr. Furgurson and Dr. White online. If you have more questions about treatment, please let us know. We will be happy to help.