When you look in the mirror or when you see yourself in a photograph, is your eye drawn to the imperfection in your smile? If you could just fix that one little…. Well, with cosmetic bonding there’s a very good chance that you can. At Dentistry Asleep®, Dr. Kevin Dann artfully restores beautiful smiles with cosmetic bonding.
Actually, you may have already had a bonding procedure and not even realized it; the same material that dentists use to repair cavities with white fillings is the material they use for cosmetic bonding. Dr. Dann uses this tooth-colored composite resin material to not only fill cavities, but to repair chips or cracks, close gaps between your teeth and build up the worn-down edges of teeth.
Because most cosmetic bonding procedures only involve the outer surfaces of your teeth, no anesthesia or sedation is necessary. However, if you’re feeling a bit anxious about your treatment, then you’ve come to the right place. As a Certified Specialist in Dental Anesthesia, Dr. Dann offers a range of sedation techniques from mild sedation, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), to moderate sedation with intravenous treatment and finally completely sleep while undergoing any dental procedure. You and he will decide which form of sedation is best for you based on your level of anxiety.
The bonding process begins with Dr. Dann isolating the tooth that needs repair in order to prevent saliva from interfering. He will then gently abrade the tooth’s surface, which strengthens the bond of the composite resin and the adhesive to your tooth. A liquid bonding agent is then applied, and after that the bonding material is placed on the tooth, sculpted and then hardened with a curing light. This is repeated until the desired shape is achieved. Dr. Dann finally polishes your new tooth, so its finish matches your other teeth.
Cosmetic bonding is quite strong and may last for years with proper care. Be sure to brush and floss twice each day, and maintain regular checkups with Dentistry Asleep. Also, be careful not to bite down on hard objects, such as nuts, bones and shells, because like other tooth restorations, cosmetic bonding can chip or crack.