Dental Bonding
Mercer Island, WA
 Your teeth play many important roles in your mouth. Along with the allowing you to bite and chew your food, they are integral to proper speech and aid in keeping your jawbone healthy. Another critical function of your teeth is to provide you with a beautiful, confident smile. Any flaws in your teeth, no matter how minor, can significantly impact the appearance of your smile and cause your confidence to plummet. Goichi Shiotsu, DDS can help to restore your gorgeous smile with dental bonding.
What is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding can be a restorative or cosmetic procedure that is designed to restore the appearance of teeth affected by minor defects. It uses composite resin to achieve a flawless, natural result. Composite resin made up of plastic, fine glass and other materials, matches the color of the rest of your natural tooth, allowing it to blend in perfectly.
What Can Dental Bonding Fix?
The composite resin material used for dental bonding is extremely versatile. It can be molded and shaped to correct a wide variety of minor dental issues. It can be used to fix:
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Small chips.
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Minor cracks that only affect the enamel layer of the teeth.
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Gaps between your teeth.
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Teeth that are smaller than the rest.
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Teeth that are oddly shaped.
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Discoloration that cannot be treated with teeth whitening. |
Dental Bonding Procedure
Dental bonding is a quick, simple procedure that is completely painless. We start by cleaning your teeth and drying them. Next, an acid etch is applied to areas of the teeth that are going to be treated. The acid works to create a rough texture on the teeth, which aids in creating a stronger bond between the composite resin and your teeth. The acid is washed away, and the teeth dried again. We then apply the material to your teeth and shape it as needed. A UV light is used to cure, or dry, the material and we finish by polishing it smooth.
Benefits of Dental Bonding
There are several benefits to dental bonding.
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The procedure is quick, and can usually be completed in less than an hour. In many cases, it can be done in under 30 minutes.
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It is a painless procedure that does not even need a local anesthetic.
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The procedure is noninvasive. We do not need to make any alterations to your natural tooth structure as we would with other procedures such as veneers or crowns.
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It is the most affordable treatment for restoring the appearance of your teeth.
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Bonding looks completely natural, and restores the beauty to your smile. |
Care for Your Dental Bonding
While dental bonding can withstand most normal daily wear and tear, it can be easily damaged. It is important to avoid biting or chewing on anything hard, such as ice, popcorn kernels, or objects like your fingernails or pens. You should avoid using your teeth as tools to open packages. Bonding can also be stained. If stains occur, they cannot be eliminated with even professional whitening.
Aside from these considerations, bonding can be cared for just like your natural teeth. It is important to continue brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily. You should also maintain your regular dental visits for cleanings and exams. During your exams, we can check the condition of your bonding and make any repairs if needed.
If minor flaws are affecting your smile and your confidence, dental bonding may be able to help. Call Goichi Shiotsu, DDS today to schedule your consultation at (206) 232-3600.
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