Repairing a Chipped Tooth with Dental Bonding

If you have chipped or cracked teeth, you will be happy to know there is a safe and easy solution. You no longer have to live with unsightly, damaged teeth. Dr. Matt VanderMolen provides dental bonding and other cosmetic dentistry services at Advanced Dental Care in Springfield IL to help make your smile something you can’t wait to share.

What is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding involves the placement of a plastic-based adhesive which cosmetically fixes flaws in the teeth. The adhesive is colored, shaped, and polished to match the contour of your natural teeth. The entire procedure is quick, easy, and painless. Anesthetics are rarely needed for dental bonding procedures. If you have several teeth that require dental bonding it may be necessary to schedule multiple visits to the dentist; the process requires approximately 30 minutes per tooth. 

The Dental Bonding Process

Dr. VanderMolen will perform a general cleaning of your teeth and gums before proceeding with the dental bonding process. A special tool is used to roughen the outer surface of any teeth requiring bonding. A conditioning solution will then be spread to help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. The bonding material, which has been shaped prior to the procedure, is applied on top of the conditioning solution. For long-lasting effects, the bond is then hardened with an ultraviolet light or laser.

Precautions

If you practice good oral hygiene techniques, such as brushing and flossing twice a day and regularly visiting your dentist for check-ups, your dental bond will remain in good condition for many years. However, there are a couple of precautions to take after the procedure.

The material used for dental bonding is not quite as strong as tooth enamel; you should try to avoid biting on hard objects such as the tops of pens, ice cubes or your own fingernails as this can result in a chipped or lost dental bond. For the first 48 hours following the procedure, the resin used in the tooth bonding is particularly susceptible to discoloration. In order to prevent staining your new smile, avoid drinking liquids such as wine, coffee, and tea. Smoking can also discolor dental bonds and should be avoided.

If you have a chipped or cracked tooth and are interested in learning more about how dental bonding can give you back your natural smile, call Dr. VanderMolen at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield, 217-717-4551 to schedule an appointment today.