At Great Basin Dental, we know how much your smile matters. A bright, healthy smile helps you feel good about yourself every day. If you have chipped, discolored, or uneven teeth, dental bonding might be perfect for you. Dental bonding is a simple and affordable cosmetic dental treatment that can fix minor imperfections.
What is Dental Bonding?
At our Reno dental practice, Dr. Sievert and Dr. Guillen use tooth-colored resin to fix chips, cracks, or gaps in your teeth in just one visit. This simple, pain-free treatment blends perfectly with your natural teeth. Want to reshape short teeth or improve your smile’s color? Bonding can help with that too.
In about an hour, we can:
- Repair minor damage
- Reshape uneven teeth
- Close small gaps
- Refresh your smile
Best of all, we don’t need to use needles or drills to do the work. You’ll get a beautiful and seamless result.
How Does Dental Bonding Work?
Dental bonding is a simple way to fix chips, gaps, or stains in just one visit. Most of the time, the process doesn’t need anesthesia, unless it’s being used to fill a cavity. Here’s how it works:
- Preparation: First, we gently prepare your tooth by roughening the surface. Then we thoroughly clean the area. Next, we apply a special liquid. This helps the tooth-colored resin stick properly.
- Application: Next, we carefully apply the putty-like resin to your tooth. Dr. Sievert or Dr. Guillen shapes it by hand so it looks completely natural. We’ll make sure it matches whether we’re fixing a chip, closing a small gap, or rebuilding part of a tooth. Then we use a bright blue light to harden the material in seconds.
- Polishing: Once the resin is hardened, we’ll check your bite and make sure you’re comfortable with it. Finally, we polish the bonded area until it shines like your real tooth. The whole process takes about 30-60 minutes per tooth.
You’ll walk out with an instantly better smile that you can use immediately. Bonding is great for minor issues because there’s no messy impressions or waiting weeks for lab work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Dental Bonding so Popular?
Compared to other cosmetic procedures, dental bonding is quick and painless. We can complete it in one visit and without anesthesia. Dental bonding is one of the most affordable cosmetic procedures that offers great results. This procedure creates a natural appearance because we customize the resin to match the color of your teeth.
Dental bonding is versatile and can fix many issues, including chips, cracks, gaps, stains, worn-down teeth and uneven teeth. Bonding is one of the gentlest ways to fix your teeth. We only need to remove a tiny bit of your enamel, enough to make the repair blend in perfectly. This means more of your healthy tooth stays right where it belongs.
Who Can Get Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding works best for fixing small cosmetic problems with your teeth. It’s perfect for repairing minor chips, closing small gaps between teeth, or covering stains that whitening can’t remove. Bonding could be a great choice for patients looking for a simple treatment that improves your smile quickly without much tooth preparation. For more serious dental issues like large cracks or major cavities, other options like veneers or crowns might work better.
How Long Will My Bonding Last?
With good care, dental bonding typically lasts between 3 to 10 years. To make your bonding last as long as possible, brush and floss every day just like you would with natural teeth. Try to avoid chewing on hard objects because the bonding isn’t unbreakable.
Seeing your dentist regularly for checkups will help catch any wear and tear early. While bonding doesn’t last forever, it’s an excellent way to get a better-looking smile without a major procedure.
Does dental bonding hurt?
Dental bonding is one of the most comfortable cosmetic treatments available. Most patients feel no pain during the procedure. You might feel slight pressure as we shape the resin, but it’s much gentler than other dental work. Some patients say they have minor sensitivity to hot and cold for a day or two afterward, but this quickly goes away.
Can bonding fix crooked teeth?
While bonding can create the illusion of straighter teeth by carefully reshaping them, it’s not a substitute for orthodontic treatment. We often use bonding as a finishing touch after braces to perfect tooth shape and symmetry. For slightly rotated teeth, bonding can help, but severely crooked teeth need proper alignment first. Dr. Sievert or Dr. Guillen can advise if bonding alone will give you the results you want.
How soon can I eat after getting bonding?
You can eat right after your appointment since the bonding material hardens completely during your visit. However, we recommend waiting until any numbness wears off (if anesthesia was used) to avoid biting your cheek. For the first 24 hours, avoid foods that could stain the fresh bonding. After that, you can eat normally but should still avoid biting directly into very hard foods.
Will my bonded teeth stain over time?
The resin material can pick up stains gradually, though not as easily as real teeth. Smoking and drinking dark beverages often will cause the most discoloration. Using whitening toothpaste helps, but professional whitening won’t affect the bonded areas. If staining occurs, we can polish or replace the bonding to refresh your smile.
Can I get bonding if I have gum disease?
We need healthy gums for bonding to last. If you have active gum disease, we’ll treat that first. Bonding can trap bacteria against inflamed gums, making the problem worse. Once your gums are healthy through proper cleaning and care, bonding becomes an option. During your exam, we’ll check your gum health before recommending treatment.
Is bonding covered by dental insurance?
When used for cosmetic reasons, bonding typically isn’t covered. However, if it’s repairing a chipped tooth or filling a cavity, your insurance may pay part of the cost. We’re happy to check your benefits and discuss payment options. Even without insurance, bonding remains one of the most affordable cosmetic treatments available.
What happens if my bonding chips?
Minor chips can often be polished out or repaired by adding more resin. If a significant piece breaks off, we may need to redo that section of bonding. To prevent damage, avoid habits like nail biting or chewing ice. Call us immediately if you damage the bonding. Waiting too long can cause more problems with the underlying tooth.
Can bonding make my teeth look whiter?
While bonding itself doesn’t whiten teeth, we can choose a resin shade brighter than your natural teeth for a whiter appearance. However, if you plan to whiten your natural teeth, do that first. The bonding color won’t change, and we’ll want to match the new whiter shade.
How do I clean bonded teeth?
Clean them just like natural teeth. Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Floss carefully around the edges where bonding meets your tooth. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes because they can degrade the resin over time. We’ll show you proper techniques during your visit.
Can bonding be used on front and back teeth?
While bonding works well for visible front teeth, it’s less ideal for back teeth that endure heavy chewing forces. For molars, fillings or crowns usually last longer. However, small chips or worn edges on back teeth can sometimes be bonded. Dr. Sievert or Dr. Guillen will recommend the best solution based on which tooth needs treatment.
Schedule a Dental Exam Today
Dr. Kristian Sievert and Dr. Anthony Guillen are committed to providing modern cosmetic dental care in Reno, NV, for all. If you’re interested in dental bonding or have any questions, contact us today at 775-363-9644. You can also request an appointment online. Let us help you feel more confident about your smile with our cosmetic bonding treatments.