Is your smile littered with aesthetic flaws? Fortunately, you don’t need to settle for cosmetic imperfections, like chips, gaps, or stains. There is a wide array of cosmetic dental treatments available that can help you achieve the beautiful results you’ve been dreaming of. For many patients, direct bonding is the affordable, practical solution that works best for them. Read on to learn more about this treatment process so you can determine if it’s an ideal option for you.
How Does Direct Bonding Work?
Direct bonding is a technique in which a dentist adds and molds composite resin to the teeth to alter their shape. This non-invasive procedure is painless and doesn’t typically require a local anesthetic. It is popular thanks to its ability to hide aesthetic flaws, including teeth that are:
- Stained
- Chipped
- Gapped
- Misshapen
- Undersized
What Does a Direct Bonding Appointment Look Like?
To get bonding on a single tooth, your appointment will typically take less than an hour. Your dentist will prepare your tooth by smoothing it and applying a conditioning liquid during your visit. Then, they’ll use direct bonding material that matches the rest of your tooth and sculpt it to fill in chips, gaps, stains, and other flaws. Next, they will finalize the bond with a special light. Lastly, they will make the finishing touches they need to leave you with a natural-looking, perfected appearance.
What Are the Benefits of Direct Bonding?
Direct bonding is one of the most common cosmetic treatments out there thanks to its numerous benefits. Here are just some of the ones that patients can expect:
- Quick Procedure: This treatment can generally be completed in an hour or less depending on how many teeth you are having treated.
- Painless: This is a non-invasive procedure. Most people don’t even require a local anesthetic to feel completely comfortable during their treatment.
- Durable: When cared for properly, direct bonding can last anywhere from 3 to 10 years or even longer before needing to be touched up or replaced.
- Affordable: Compared to other cosmetic solutions, direct bonding is very affordable. You don’t need to break the bank to put the finishing touches on your smile.
The best way to find out if direct bonding is the best solution for you is by seeing your dentist. This way, they can examine your smile and determine if you make a good candidate for the procedure. You’ll be showing off your enhanced pearly whites in no time!
About the Author
Dr. Publio Silfa earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Columbia College of Dental Medicine and underwent an AEGD residency as the Chief Resident and an associate clinical professor at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. He is committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. For more information on cosmetic bonding or to schedule an appointment at his office in Plainview, visit his website or call (516) 346-5655.