Dental Bonding

When most people think about dental treatment, they typically think about complex, elaborate, expensive procedures that require sharp tools and much time to complete. While that stereotype might be true for some cosmetic procedures, though, they certainly aren’t for everything. Dental bonding is one of the more overlooked cosmetic procedures, which is disappointing because of how quick and simple and affordable the process is. Luckily, at Hatch Family Dentistry in Tempe, Dr. Mason Konkle, Dr. Jennifer Konkle, and Dr. Hyrum Hatch provide dental bonding services for patients in the greater Phoenix area.

What is dental bonding?

On the surface,  dental bonding might not sound like very much. Dental bonding involves the application of an incredibly thin layer of resinous material to the surface of the teeth. When exposed to a special light, this resin will bond and harden, enclosing the tooth in a protective case. This extra layer of protection, while it might not have the same durability and potential longevity of a veneer or crown, can be very effective at cosmetically enhancing the tooth (see below).

What is the dental bonding process like?

First of all, the tooth itself has to be prepared. A special liquid that roughens the surface needs to be applied to assist with the actual bonding phase. Unlike the procedure involved with veneers and crowns, the resin is thin enough that no enamel needs to be removed.

Once the tooth is ready, the color of the resin has to be carefully adjusted to make sure the final result matches the color of your teeth perfectly. The resinous material will be applied to the surface of the tooth. Your dentist will carefully spread and mold the material until it fixes the designated problem. After making sure the look is perfect, he or she will shine a UV light over the tooth until the resin chemically bonds to the tooth and hardens into a protective shell.

Why would I need dental bonding done?

For such a simple and comparatively quick procedure, you might be surprised by the number of dental problems bonding can solve. Dental bonding is typically used as a cosmetic solution, though it can restore function as well. The most common reasons patients choose dental bonding include the following:

• To cover discolorations in a tooth: As you might have already noticed, your teeth can become discolored and stained over time. Some of the color change is natural; genetics and aging guarantee that imperfections will emerge eventually. Other factors may be more artificial: some foods (like blueberries), drinks (like coffee, tea, and red wine), and even medications (like high blood pressure and asthma medications) will exacerbate staining. Most of the time, you’ll want a professional teeth whitening treatment to fix this problem, but severe discolorations may need to be covered up instead with dental bonding.
• To fix damaged (chipped or cracked) teeth: As time passes, something else can happen to your teeth — they can become chipped or damaged. This kind of damage is typically the result of some form of trauma or accident. Even a bad fall or chewing on hard candy can cause damage to teeth. For serious injuries, you’ll want more sophisticated restorative treatments, but for basic damages like a small chip or crack, dental bonding is more than sufficient to restore function and protect the tooth from further harm.
• To close gaps between teeth: Do you have strange gaps between your teeth? It might seem like a lot to visit the orthodontist just to adjust for these gaps. Luckily, dental bonding can be used in these instances to close the gaps. Every patient’s case is different. It’s always a good idea to get all the details about potential treatment plans so you make an informed decision about your smile.
• To alter the look of a tooth: As a cosmetic treatment, dental bonding can predictably change how a tooth looks. The alterations may be more dramatic than you might expect. Bonding can change the shape of a tooth and even make it look longer.
• To repair a decayed tooth: Everyone knows that tooth decay causes cavities, but did you know that dental bonding is just a different type of filling? The composite materials used in fillings are typically the same as the resins used in dental bonding.

If you’re interested in getting dental bonding done or simply want to know what your cosmetic dentistry options are in the greater Phoenix area (Tempe, Chandler, Mesa and Ahwatukee), give Hatch Family Dentistry a call. One of our dentists or staff would be happy to discuss any questions you might have about an upcoming treatment, or book a consultation so you can discuss any potential new treatment plans with your dentist.

Just call our office at (480) 838-3073, or visit our website to set up a time today!

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