Is a single chipped or cracked tooth, and stained tooth impacting the rest of your smile? Dr. Matthew Gerald offers teeth bonding in Vienna, VA. This is a cosmetic dental treatment we use to repair chips and cracks in the enamel. Dr. Matthew Gerald can conceal staining or discoloration, lengthen shorter teeth, and fill gaps between your teeth.
Dental bonding benefits our patients who are new to cosmetic services and want to address minor issues. We use composite resin bonding material that we can color-match to blend in with your real teeth. We will provide the most natural-looking result possible with this quick and economical treatment.
Dental Bonding Treatment in Vienna, VA
Choosing dental bonding comes with may advantages. This cosmetic dental procedure is a low-cost treatment versus other alternatives. A cosmetic bonding treatment can cost around $300 to $600 per tooth depending on many factors. The location of the tooth, dental insurance, and how much bonding you will need will contribute to the cost.
Additionally, the treatment time is fast. You will only need to visit our Vienna dental office once and will leave with an updated smile! Most importantly, teeth bonding is versatile. Our team uses it to treat many dental concerns, including the following:
- Cover permanent teeth stains
- Repair chipped teeth and cracks or fractures
- Correct the appearance of minor misalignment
- Close gaps between teeth
- Reshape worn or misshapen teeth
If you are considering dental bonding, partner with a qualified dentist near you who has experience with this procedure. Dr. Matthew Gerald, a family dentist, can help you determine if dental bonding is right for your needs. He can provide advice on how to make sure that your results look natural and last for many years.
The Dental Bonding Process
To begin the dental bonding procedure, Dr. Gerald will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth. Then, he will prepare the tooth for bonding by cleaning it and removing a small portion of the surface tooth enamel. This creates a proper bonding surface for the composite resin.
Next, Dr. Gerald applies the bonding resin to the tooth and sculpts it into the proper shape until the tooth looks natural. Once it is the desired shape and shade, he will cure and harden the resin using a special ultraviolet light or laser. Finally, he will polish the bonded tooth so that it mimics the appearance of the natural tooth.
After the procedure is complete, we may schedule you for follow-up visits. We will monitor the success of your dental bonding treatment during your routine exams.
Maintenance for your Bonded Teeth
Patients can clean bonded teeth just like natural teeth. If patients maintain their bonded teeth with routine oral health care and regular dental visits, their results can last for many years.
Keep in mind that dental bonding is not a permanent treatment. Our team can reapply the bonding material after a few years or replace it altogether. Down the road, patients may want to try a more permanent treatment such as porcelain veneers.
Porcelain veneers are an alternative to dental bonding that is more permanent. They achieve similar visual results, but are stronger than bonding. However, tooth bonding is a good first step for patients with minor cosmetic concerns.
Dental Bonding FAQs
Here we will answer some of the most common questions related to dental bonding. We’ll look at the risks, benefits, and other common questions about the procedure. We’ll also discuss recovery time and factors that affect the longevity of the bond. We hope you find this information helpful!
What are the risks associated with tooth bonding?
This treatment is fairly simple to perform and does not alter the tooth in a significant way. This makes it not only a low risk procedure, but also a safe one. The only downside to using bonding is that the bonding material is not permanent and may break or chip.
Tooth bonding is not as durable as other procedures, such as veneers or dental crowns. So, the material may chip or crack over time and eventually require repair or replacement.
Your natural tooth enamel is stronger than dental bonding, so the material is not that durable. However, dental bonding can last up to 10 years with proper maintenance.
Can I drink coffee with bonded teeth?
Similar to natural enamel, the resin substance in dental bonding can stain over time. You are likely to require new bonding sooner if you drink coffee, tea, wine, or other staining beverages frequently. You may want to rinse your mouth out afterward to help reduce any staining that may occur. Also avoid sugary or acidic drinks as these could cause damage to the bond.
Does bonding stain easily?
Tooth bonding can stain and discolor over time, especially if you smoke or consume staining foods and beverages. You can prevent long-term staining by rinsing your mouth after consuming these types of drinks. Additionally, dentists can not use traditional whitening treatments to whiten dental bonding.
Unlike natural tooth enamel, dental bonding materials do not respond to traditional bleaching agents in the same way. However, your dentist can still whiten your natural teeth with bonding already in place. We recommend getting teeth whitening before a bonding procedure for the most appealing results.
How long will my teeth be sensitive after bonding?
Tooth bonding can cause sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures for a period after the procedure. Teeth are typically sensitive for a few days after a bonding treatment. Fortunately, the sensitivity will disappear on its own in a few days.
It may take a week or two if the tooth is sensitive when chewing on harder foods. Patients may also feel sensitivity upon contact with hot or cold foods. This should go away within a few days.
Schedule an Appointment for Teeth Bonding in Vienna, VA
Dr. Matthew Gerald offers consultations for teeth bonding in Vienna, VA. You will get a chance to discuss your concerns during your dental exam. He may recommend bonding as a conservative way to treat your issue. Contact the dental office of Dr. Gerald by calling (703) 721-4796 or through our online appointment request form.