Dental Bonding
in Simi Valley, CA
Dental bonding is a special procedure used to restore, reshape, and rejuvenate teeth, improving both their function and appearance. Dentists apply a thin layer of tooth-colored plastic to the front of the tooth and sculpt it to perfect the patient’s appearance. Dental bonding is used to repair chipped, cracked, broken, misshapen teeth or stained teeth or to fill in the spaces between teeth.
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“This is a first-class dental office. The staff is very thorough and professional. They went the extra mile to get me in for an appointment. Ann Marie, the hygienist, was great and Dr. Bankhardt took his time and explained my conditions. Will come again. Thank you.”
– Dan P.
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Dental Bonding Material
The dental bonding material is made of a composite resin, or plastic, that hardens and fuses to the tooth when the dentist shines a special light on it. Once in place, the bonding material is shaped to correct the specific defect, colored to match the patient’s natural tooth, and polished until it is smooth.
Who is a good candidate for dental bonding?
Just about any adult with healthy teeth could benefit from bonding to cover imperfections. Bonding doesn’t solve underlying problems, but it is very versatile in masking cosmetic problems. Still, there are circumstances where a better solution could be a crown or maybe porcelain veneers. Dr. Bankhardt will discuss your options with you.
What are the benefits of having dental bonding?
The great thing about having Dr. Bankhardt use dental bonding rather than more involved solutions such as a crown or porcelain veneers is that it can be done immediately and can address a variety of problems. You have great flexibility with bonding. Dr. Bankhardt has extensive experience and expertise molding and shaping the composite resin to the perfect final result.
Bonding is not a permanent solution, usually lasting up to 10 years before the process needs to be done again. It is often compared with porcelain veneers, which last 15 years but are also more expensive. Bonding doesn’t require shaving enamel off the tooth or teeth being treated, as is necessary with veneers.
Problems you can solve with bonding
When you think of what bonding can do for your smile, simply look at your teeth and think of covering over problem areas. Bonding can address these minor defects with the teeth:
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Uneven teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Uneven spacing
- Severe staining
- Inherent discoloration
Bonding is not meant to address serious issues with the teeth. Problems such as decay, a severely cracked tooth, or a needed root canal must be taken care of before bonding can be done.
How is bonding different than porcelain veneers?
While both dental bonding and the application of porcelain veneers have the same end goal — to cover cosmetic imperfections and create a perfect smile — they do it in different ways. Bonding uses a resin material that is sculpted on the teeth, cured, and then polished. Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are cemented onto the fronts of the teeth. To make room for the veneers, approximately 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm of the tooth enamel must be shaved off.
In use, porcelain veneers do not stain and are quite durable. The resin used in bonding is more resistant to staining than natural tooth enamel, but it can stain over time. Veneers last longer but are more expensive than bonding. Also, bonding is usually done in a single appointment, while veneers require two appointments.
The Dental Bonding Process
Applying bonding to a patient’s teeth requires a three-step process.
Step One
An etching solution is applied to the tooth or teeth to prepare them to receive the bonding material. This solution gently roughens the surface of the tooth for a stronger bond between the tooth and the plastic.
Step Two
A thin layer of the bonding resin is placed on the surface of the tooth and is sealed in place using a special light. Several layers of resin may be added and hardened in turn. Each layer takes only a few minutes to harden.
Step Three
The bonding material is sculpted to the desired shape and colored to match the shade of the natural teeth. Finally, the bonding material is polished until it is entirely smooth.
The dental bonding procedure takes 1 to 2 hours, and its results may last for up to 10 years before any restoration is necessary.
How long does bonding last?
The longevity of your dental bonding depends on you to a degree. If you practice excellent home hygiene and avoid bad habits such as chewing ice and the like, your bonding can last for a decade. Also, if you find that a certain area or tooth has an issue, the bonding can be touched up.
What do I have to do to take care of my bonded teeth?
Your bonded teeth require only normal good home hygiene practices, brushing for two minutes twice a day, and flossing once daily. While the resin is non-porous and resistant to staining, it can stain over time, although not to the degree of your natural tooth enamel.
Is it painful to have dental bonding done?
No. These are completely painless procedures. They don’t create any tooth sensitivity. There isn’t any recovery. As soon as Dr. Bankhardt cures the resin with the special light and buffs the final shape, you’re good to go.
Are there risks involved with dental bonding?
These are complete risk-free treatments. We only apply the composite resin to the surfaces of your teeth. There is no drilling, no incisions. Patients don’t even need any local anesthesia.
Schedule your consultation in Simi Valley, CA
Call Dr. Robert Bankhardt or Dr. Casey Patterson at (805) 584-1194 or fill out a Contact Form here to schedule an appointment for dental bonding in Simi Valley, California. We proudly serve patients from Simi Valley and surrounding areas, including Chatsworth, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, and Northridge.
