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| Before Dental Bonding | After Dental Bonding |
If you have a minor tooth defect, such as small gaps, chips, or discolorations, dental bonding is an efficient and beautiful solution. The bonding material looks like your tooth enamel and is strong enough to withstand normal usage.
Dental Bonding Procedure
In order to bond the composite material to your tooth, first, your tooth will have to be prepared. This is done by slightly roughening the area on which the repairs need to be made. Then a bonding primer and resin will be applied. At that point, your tooth is ready for the composite material. When it is being applied, it has the consistency of stiff putty. Dr. Potts will shape and color the repair chairside, so it can be completed in one appointment.
Notice in the pictures above that tooth color is not uniform. On natural teeth, the biting edges are more translucent than the inner surfaces of the tooth. Even in the body of the tooth, there are variations in surface color. Dr. Potts knows how to match these subtle differences and give you a beautiful smile. Once the composite is the way the dentist wants it, they’ll place some special lights over the teeth to harden the material. The final step is to trim and polish.
Pros and Cons of Dental Bonding
- This type of cosmetic repair is generally done in just one appointment.
- It takes a lot of post-graduate training to expertly match the color of the surrounding tooth, so not any dentist can do these repairs.
- Bonding will not last as long as a more permanent cosmetic solution, such as porcelain veneers. It is also not suitable for larger repairs.
If you’d like to see if you’re a candidate for dental bonding in Lake County, you may schedule a complimentary consultation with our office by calling (847) 362-6540. You’ll get to spend about 15 minutes with Dr. Potts to find out if you are a good candidate for dental bonding. If you prefer, you may click here to request an appointment online at our Libertyville, IL, office.