Are you looking for a less-expensive, non-permanent solution to one or two problem teeth? San Diego dental bonding may be the solution to your cosmetic flaws.
What is dental bonding?
Dental bonding is an ideal way to correct minor cosmetic concerns on your visible teeth. Using the same hard, durable composite resin found in fillings, a skilled dentist can sculpt a new surface onto your natural teeth that is seamless and unobtrusive. Unlike porcelain veneers, which also adhere a new surface to your enamel, dental bonding can be completed quickly in a single office visit and at a more affordable cost.
Would you like to take advantage of this versatile cosmetic treatment? Contact our San Diego CA dental practice today at (858) 455-9151 to learn more!
Common Corrections with San Diego Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is often chosen by patients who have:
- A tooth with an intrinsic stain that doesn’t respond to whitening
- A chipped tooth
- Gaps between teeth
- Eroded enamel at the edge of a tooth
- A tooth that stands out from the others
- Receded gum tissue.
When one or two teeth are out of alignment, adding tooth-colored material can significantly improve their visible appearance. This treatment is effective for closing gaps between teeth, rotating a protruding tooth, or correcting a discolored spot on a front tooth. In dental bonding, Dr. Eshom applies a strong, tooth-colored composite material to your teeth and hardens it with a high-tech 450 nm curing light. Dr. Eshom uses this method to address a variety of smile concerns for his patients in San Diego.
Dr. Eshom says:
“With my philosophy of saving as much tooth structure as possible, San Diego dental bonding is my favorite way to beautify a smile. Bonding a tooth to blend invisibly takes an artist’s mentality, so it fits right in with my passion for artistic and clinical excellence.”
Why Do Patients Choose Bonding?
Bonding has a shorter lifespan than veneers but can be the preferred choice for several reasons. It is less expensive and can be completed in just one office visit. Additionally, bonding is a non-permanent alteration, meaning it can be reversed. Once a patient gets veneers, they cannot revert to their natural teeth because a small amount of tooth enamel must be resurfaced. Bonding, on the other hand, is fully reversible and does not alter your natural teeth.
Some patients choose bonding as a temporary fix while deciding whether to invest in veneers. Switching to veneers later is easy, so there’s no harm in trying bonding while you decide on the non-reversible porcelain veneers.
If you’re considering veneers but aren’t ready to commit, Dr. Eshom can provide bonding or Bioclear veneers to correct your teeth in the meantime. Learn more about Bioclear veneers on our website. This treatment is fully reversible yet provides results that can be as attractive and long-lasting as veneers.
How does San Diego Dental Bonding work?
When you visit Dr. David Eshom for a free cosmetic consultation, he will listen to your concerns and discuss your many options for correcting cosmetic flaws. If you decide that dental bonding is the right choice, he will examine the tooth/teeth to ensure they are in good oral health. If everything looks good, he can perform the cosmetic dental bonding in the same office visit.
First, Dr. Eshom sculpts the dental composite over the affected tooth until an attractive, natural-looking surface is created. When everything looks right, he uses a special curing light to permanently harden and bond the material to your tooth. After stabilization, he shapes, buffs, and polishes it until it looks perfect in your smile.
Your newly bonded tooth will cover and correct any stain, chip, or damage. With proper care, your bonding should last up to ten years. Avoid chewing on ice, hard candy, or non-food items like pens to prevent cracks or dislodgment.
The process of bonding involves four specific steps:
STEP 1: Prepping the Tooth
Before dental bonding, your tooth (or teeth) needs to be prepared. This involves gently etching the outer layer of your enamel to give the composite material a rougher surface to bond to. After the etching, a primer is applied before the composite resin.
STEP 2: Application
The dental bonding material is applied to your teeth in three layers to create a natural-looking surface. Dr. Eshom uses one layer to match the root color, one layer for the enamel, and a third to match the translucency at the edge. He takes special care to match the color and translucency of your other teeth for the most natural result.
STEP 3: Sculpting and Hardening
Dr. Eshom carefully sculpts the composite material to correct flaws and create aesthetic balance with the rest of your smile. After achieving the desired result, a high-intensity light is used to harden the material, permanently bonding it to your teeth.
STEP 4: Smoothing and Polishing
After the bonded corrections are hardened, Dr. Eshom smooths and polishes the material to ensure it looks perfect and that the edges fit together seamlessly when you speak, smile, and bite.
Contact San Diego Cosmetic Dentist Dr. David Eshom
If you have cosmetic concerns you wish to correct, Dr. Eshom is your man! He has devoted years of focus and continuing education to master all the latest techniques available in cosmetic dentistry. You won’t find a cosmetic dentist with a bigger toolbox or as many treatment options—and your first consultation is always free!
If you are looking for a faster, lower-cost alternative to porcelain veneers, dental bonding may be the right treatment option for you! Call our San Diego dental practice today at (858) 455-9151 to set up a consultation.