Dental Bonding in Bardstown

If you have cosmetic problems with your smile, you may feel self-conscious when you smile, speak, or even eat around others. Dental bonding in Bardstown from Dr. Michael Walton may be the best option if you want to restore your smile. Learn more about this non-invasive, affordable cosmetic dentistry treatment below, or contact us online to schedule a consultation.

What Is Dental Bonding 

Dental bonding is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that’s used to alter and restore the shape of your teeth. It uses a special type of tooth-colored dental resin, which is applied in a gel or putty-like form, and then is hardened using UV light and sculpted using a dental drill and other tools.

This resin reshapes the tooth, correcting a wide variety of flaws including gaps in the smile, chips in the teeth, and more. Dental bonding offers fast results, is relatively inexpensive, and offers very lifelike results, making it a good choice for patients who may have the budget for an alternative treatment like porcelain veneers.

What Can Dental Bonding Fix?

Dental bonding can fix almost any cosmetic dental problem with your mouth. It’s commonly used to fill and repair small chips in the teeth, to reshape the teeth and remove gaps, and to correct uneven or misshapen teeth. It can even be used to cover up stains that can’t be treated with teeth whitening.

However, dental bonding cannot fix major orthodontic problems, and it’s also not intended as a way to treat teeth that have been seriously damaged by dental trauma. For example, a broken or cracked tooth will require treatment with a root canal and a dental crown.

Am I A Good Candidate For Dental Bonding

If your teeth are healthy and free of gum disease and tooth decay, you are likely a good candidate for dental bonding. Your mouth also must be free of any major orthodontic issues. If you do have problems with your teeth alignment or your bite, you may need Invisalign or a similar treatment to resolve these issues before getting dental bonding. 

‍To see if bonding is right for you, just schedule a cosmetic consultation in Bardstown at Walton Family Dentistry today.

How Long Does Dental Bonding Last?

This mostly depends on how well you care for your smile. If you maintain good oral hygiene, see Dr. Walton for six-month dental visits, and avoid behaviors that could damage your bonded teeth, they may last for up to 10 years.

The most important habit to avoid is using your teeth as “tools,” to help you open up packages, bags, or tape. This can damage your bonded teeth as well as your natural teeth. In the same way, you should never chew non-food objects like pens, fingernails, or pencils with bonded teeth.

Even when eating food, you should be a bit careful about how you chew. Try to chew extremely hard foods like popcorn kernels or nuts with your rear teeth. Biting into hard foods with your front teeth can damage bonded teeth and natural teeth alike.

How Is Dental Bonding Different From Veneers?

Dental bonding and porcelain veneers are often used to treat the same cosmetic issues, such as uneven teeth, stained teeth, gaps between teeth, and minor chips and damage. But while they may seem similar, they’re quite different.

First, dental bonding takes only one appointment. Similar to a dental filling, Dr. Walton applies a special type of dental resin directly to your tooth, then sculpts, shapes, and trims it to restore the shape of your tooth.

In contrast, the process of getting veneers is more like getting a dental crown. It requires at least two appointments. At the first appointment, your teeth will be trimmed and prepared, then molds will be taken and sent to a lab where the veneers are made. You’ll need to come back to our office in a few weeks to have them permanently attached to your teeth. 

Dental bonding is also cheaper than veneers. The per-tooth cost is lower, which means that it may be a better option if you’re on a tight budget. Dental bonding also does not require the permanent removal of any of your enamel, unlike veneers, which may make it appealing if you’d prefer minimally invasive treatment.

However, bonding tends to have a shorter lifespan than veneers. 5-8 years is the average lifespan for a bonded tooth, though this can stretch to 10+ years in some cases. Veneers, though, can last 10-15 years or even longer. That’s something to keep in mind when choosing between these treatments.

How Do I Care For Bonded Teeth?

The most important thing to do is to maintain good oral hygiene. You should brush twice a day for two minutes and floss once a day, eat a healthy diet, and make lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and reducing alcohol use. You should also see Dr. Walton every six months for a checkup at Walton Family Dentistry.

There are a few other changes you may want to make, too. You should avoid chewing really hard foods like almonds with your front teeth, and stop chewing non-food objects like pencils and fingernails. You also should never use your bonded teeth to do things like rip a package open or tear tape.

You may also want to look into a nightguard if you grind your teeth. Over time, teeth grinding can damage both your dental bonding and your natural teeth. Getting a nightguard will cushion and protect your teeth from damage due to nighttime teeth grinding.

Can Dental Bonding Be Removed & Reversed?

Yes. Dental bonding does not involve the removal of any of your natural enamel. That means that, if you want, you can have the dental bonding material removed, and restore your original smile.

However, this is pretty uncommon. Most people are very happy with their new smile, and will not want to reverse the bonding process. Still, some patients may prefer to have the option of reversing bonding, or may simply not like the idea of permanent enamel removal, which is required to get porcelain veneers.