Bonding comes in a variety of different shades, so that our Forest Hills cosmetic dentist Dr. Gregory Mark can select the best color for your smile’s needs.
When we shape bonding over your tooth enamel, the ultimate goal is to recreate the surface of your tooth in a way that makes your bite look anatomically complete and pleasing
Why Consider Bonding?
Cosmetic bonding can be used for either aesthetic or restorative needs, depending on the issue at hand. Some of the more common issues we address with bonding include problems like:
- Chipped teeth
- Gaps in your smile
- Visible or sensitive root surfaces
- Pitted or misshaped enamel
- Smooth-surface cavities
What to Expect During Bonding Treatment
Having a tooth bonded is usually a short and extremely comfortable procedure. In most cases, it’s not even necessary for Dr. Mark to numb the tooth receiving the bonding.
Usually all that’s needed is preparation of bonding a tooth surface is to gently roughen the outer layer of enamel, so that the composite will bond tightly with the tooth.
From there, Dr. Mark uses a shade guide to specify the exact color and hue of composite to use for your smile. Next, it’s shaped over your tooth with a small handheld instrument to recreate the shape and contour desired. Finally, Dr. Mark will use a special light to cure the composite so that it hardens in place.
Cosmetic Bonding for Gapped Teeth
If you have a small gap between your two front teeth, it’s usually easier and more cost effective to cover it with bonding (as opposed to dental veneers or crowns.)
As long as the gap isn’t too large, the bonding can be added to the side of each respective tooth, slightly widening the tooth’s overall appearance and thus filling in the space between them.
