Cosmetic Dental Bonding in Rock Hill, South Carolina
Oftentimes, our practice treat
patients who have relatively healthy teeth yet are unhappy with the overall appearance of their smile. These patients usually suffer from minor cosmetic flaws that can greatly detract from the natural beauty of their smile. At Sharp Dentistry, we offer a quick, affordable cosmetic service with our Rock Hill, SC dental bonding.
What is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is a cosmetic treatment that is used to correct a number of flaws such as:
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Widely gapped teeth
- Irregularly shaped teeth
- Unattractive teeth
This treatment is preferred by both patients and dental professionals alike because of the flexibility it presents upon application, speed of procedure, and effectiveness. Bonding is a great way to repair minor defects in the smile quickly, affordably, and comfortably.
How Does Dental Bonding Work?
This procedure is called bonding because the composite resin material used by dentists is bonded directly onto the affected tooth to mask any undesirable qualities.
Bonding can be used by itself to improve a tooth’s appearance or it can simply be used as a bonding agent- meaning that it is used in the process of attaching a restoration (crown, veneers, etc.) to the tooth.
First Step: Etching
In either situation, the tooth must first be cleaned and then “etched”. This etching process is simple and painless. Dr. Sharp will apply a small amount of phosphorous acid solution to the surface of the tooth and gently scrape at the surface. This helps to roughen the surface area and allows the resin to adhere tightly to the tooth.
Second Step: Application
After the tooth has been etched, the tooth-colored composite resin material is then applied to the area that needs correcting. Then, if the patient is undergoing adhesive bonding, the restoration will be placed over the resin and hardened with a curing light for permanent placement. If the patient is undergoing direct composite bonding, the dentist will artfully apply small layers of resin over the affected area of the tooth at a time. Once the tooth has reached its desired shape and appearance, Dr. Sharp will then polish the surface area to ensure a natural looking, beautiful, shiny new smile.
Does it Hurt?
The process of bonding is simple and quick. Better yet, it is relatively painless. During the etching process, some patients may experience anxiety from the noise and gentle pressure, however the discomfort is minimal if at all. In order to ensure your complete relaxation, we can offer sedation methods throughout the experience, however it is generally not needed.
Caring For Dental Bonding
After undergoing dental bonding, you will want to ensure that your smile stays beautiful as long as possible. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to take care of a tooth that has dental bonding. Clean the tooth as your would any normal tooth: brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once. You can use non-abrasive toothpaste to prevent the resin from scratching and to preserve the polished shine of the procedure.
Avoid biting down on hard or sticky objects using a tooth that has undergone dental bonding. This can cause the bonding to chip or crack. Habits such as chewing fingernails and chewing on ice should also be avoided to prevent damaging your new smile. If you experience chipped or cracked bonding, visit us as soon as possible so that we can repair your smile before further damage occurs.
Teeth Bonding Consultation with Dr. Sharp
At Sharp Dentistry, we work hard to ensure that every patient receives the quality dentistry they deserve and the long lasting results that they desire as well. Our dental bonding process is no different. Before the process begins, our patients will meet with Dr. Sharp for an initial consultation. During this consultation, the patient will be able to formulate a treatment plan with Dr. Sharp that they believe will match their oral health needs and their budget.
The color of the resin is determined during the consultation. Dr. Sharp uses advanced technology to perfectly match the shade of surrounding teeth for a natural, smooth smile. The patient will also want to clearly express their desired results during this consultation.
There are some reasons why Dr. Sharp may advise against dental bonding to repair a smile. For example, bonding is generally not suggested for use on teeth that have high bite pressure (such as molars). This is simply because the thin layers of resin are limited in strength and stability. Therefore, the process works best for teeth with low bite strength such as the front teeth.
For more information on our Rock Hill dental bonding treatment, we encourage you to visit our office and schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Sharp. We are always excited to explain any procedure or service with you and we are always accepting new patients. Please call our team today at (803) 324-7626 to begin the road to a healthier, happier smile.