Dental Bonding
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Wynatte Chu, DDS
Cosmetic & General Dentist located in New York, NY & Westport, CT
Dental bonding uses tooth-tinted resins to restore cosmetic imperfections or to treat some types of cavities. The resin material flows onto the tooth surface and can be tinted and shaped to blend with the surrounding tooth material to repair defects like chips and worn tooth surfaces so you can enjoy a great-looking smile. As a leading cosmetic dentist in Westport, Connecticut, and the Tribeca and Chinatown neighborhoods of New York City, Dr. Wynatte Chu uses dental bonding techniques to help her patients feel more confident about their smiles with beautiful, natural-looking results.
Wynatte Chu, DDS is proud to provide a variety of cosmetic dental treatment options for patients in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the surrounding NYC areas. These options are important because a single approach may not be ideal for everyone. If you’re wondering whether you are a good candidate for dental bonding, here are some factors to consider. Dental bonding should not be used to compensate for major tooth decay; instead, it works best for smaller issues. If your teeth have some cracks or chips, discoloration, or gaps between them, then dental bonding may be an appropriate solution. To undergo the procedure, both the root and enamel of your teeth must be in a healthy condition. Our cosmetic dentists will perform an oral examination to determine whether dental bonding is right for you.
Dental Bonding Q & A
What is dental bonding?
Dental bonding is a special resin material that’s applied to the surfaces of teeth and used to correct an array of cosmetic issues like:
- Cracked teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Teeth that are deeply stained
- Close gaps and spaces between teeth
- Help “stubby” teeth look longer
Bonding can be applied to protect teeth exposed due to gum disease and excessive gum recession, and bonding can also be used to seal and cover cavities. When cosmetic bonding is used to correct cosmetic issues, it can be applied to the tooth surface without anesthesia. When used to treat a decayed area, local anesthetic can be used to prevent discomfort.
How is dental bonding material applied?
Dr. Chu begins by evaluating the tooth, then carefully cleaning the tooth surface and “roughening” it to enable the resin to bond better.
Next, she selects the ideal tint for the resin bonding material, carefully mixing it to achieve just the right shade so it blends in with the surrounding teeth.
Dr. Chu will apply a special conditioning liquid to the tooth to increase adhesion. Then she’ll apply the resin layer by layer, shaping it to match the natural contours while achieving a completely-natural-looking restoration.
Once the resin has been applied and shaped, Dr. Chu will use a curing light to harden the resin. Then she’ll gently buff the restored area so it fits perfectly.
Can bonding material be whitened?
No. Like other restorations, bonding material is not designed to be treated with teeth whitening solutions. If a bonded area becomes stained or discolored, it will need to be replaced. Many patients have their teeth professionally whitened before the bonding material is applied to ensure the bonding tint matches their teeth when they look their best.
Is dental bonding better than a veneer?
While both veneers and bonding can be used for many of the same applications, including correcting the appearance of uneven tooth surfaces, chipped teeth, or deep stains, bonding material does not last as long as a veneer, and it can be stained more easily.
Bonding is less costly than a veneer and it can be completed in one visit without removing any of the tooth material, making it a popular option for many patients.