dental bonding in Mukilteo

What Is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is a transformative cosmetic procedure used to change your teeth' appearance to improve aesthetics. Many patients are unhappy with their smile for various reasons, including orthodontic misalignment, damage, tooth stains, or misshapen teeth. 

Dental bonding works by applying a tooth-colored composite resin material and molding it to the teeth to build up the tooth structure, filling in cracks, covering up eroded enamel, and hiding any other imperfections that you don’t want others to see. 

Composite resin is the same durable material used in tooth-colored fillings. This fast, minimally invasive, and painless procedure repairs, enlarges, lengthens, and smooths out your natural tooth structure. 

It is often combined with tooth contouring (enameloplasty) which is the careful removal of natural tooth enamel with a dental drill. This is how a tooth transformation in size and shape is achieved. Contact us at Driftwood Dental Studio today to schedule a consultation.

tooth and mirror tool

Did you know…

Dental bonding can be performed in a single appointment.

ready to schedule your consultation?

Call (425) 609-0230 Today

How It Works: The Dental Bonding Process

Consultation

Dr. Butler will perform an oral exam to ensure you don’t have any oral health problems and to assess the severity of any tooth damage, discoloration, or other imperfections

Shade Guide

Using a shade guide, Dr. Butler will match the shade of the resin used in your bonding to your natural teeth to produce a seamless smile.

Etching

To help the bonding agent stick, we will etch your tooth by roughening the enamel and applying an acidic solution.

Application

A layer of composite resin is applied and shaped to your tooth.

Curing

After molding the resin, UV light is used to cure the resin and harden it in place. Some additional trimming can be performed and the tooth is polished to match the sheen of the surrounding teeth.

What Problems Does Dental Bonding Fix?

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Discoloration

Get the pearly white teeth you’ve always dreamed of without continuous whitening treatments. By selecting a whiter shade of composite resin, you can hide any tooth stains or discoloration that are disrupting your smile and this will last for up to 10 years before needing to be reapplied.

Chips & Cracks

Whether you grind your teeth, have suffered from oral trauma, or you’ve worn down your teeth from eating too many acidic foods, enamel erosion and tooth damage put your teeth at risk for breakage and oral health problems. 

It’s important to protect your teeth and fill in the cracks to prevent bacteria from entering the inside of the teeth. Bonding will add a protective layer over your teeth to repair damage and minimize the unaesthetic appearance of chips.

Orthodontic Problems

When teeth are overlapping or are crooked, it can make it more difficult to keep your teeth clean. This puts you at higher risk for tooth decay by trapping food particles and orthodontic problems can even affect your speech. Instead of paying thousands of dollars for orthodontic treatment, we can close small gaps and cover misalignment with dental bonding in a single appointment.

Awkward Tooth Size & Shape

Make your teeth larger, longer, rounder, or more defined. Achieve any tooth size or shape that you want with the ability to transform each tooth from a small jagged and sharp appearance to a uniform and even smile. 

Periodontal Care

Gum disease is extremely common, and can result in an array of oral health problems if left untreated, including bone resorption and even tooth loss over time. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. It's also the only stage that can be truly reversed with deep cleanings and good at-home hygiene. If you are diagnosed with gingivitis, it is still possible to regain control of your oral health by staying on top of your regular cleanings, checkups, and at-home care.

More advanced stages of gum disease, called periodontitis, have irreversible effects on your oral health, such as gum recession and bone loss. While the effects of periodontitis cannot be reversed, we can stop it in its tracks with more advanced and frequent cleanings. Most patients will require deep cleaning sessions every three to four months. Treatments can include deep cleanings, scaling and root planing, and laser therapy, and can help preserve your oral health.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer screenings are a part of every preventive visit, and are a quick way to fortify your peace of mind. Through consistent exams, we can catch oral cancer early on, which gives us a better chance at treating it before it spreads. A routine oral cancer screening can even save your life! 

Your dentist will examine your gums, tongue, and the rest of the soft tissues in your mouth, keeping an eye out for lesions and other abnormalities like lumps and discolorations. If there is anything that concerns us, we may recommend getting a biopsy, which will be analyzed by a specialist to determine the cause of the abnormality. Regular oral cancer screenings allow us to identify any potential problems before they become major issues.

Night Guards

Subconscious teeth grinding and clenching, known as bruxism, is a common issue that tends to happen at night while patients are asleep. However, night guards can help patients alleviate symptoms of bruxism by creating a barrier between your teeth that protects them from grinding-related damage. Depending on the severity of the case, night guards can be made from several different materials with varying degrees of softness.

To get fitted for a night guard, you will receive a digital scan of your teeth that will then be sent to the lab. Your night guard will be created to match your exact specifications and measurements for a perfect fit. Night guards ease tension in your jaw, alleviating the painful headaches and preventing dental damage caused by clenching and grinding. Night guards can keep your smile healthy and help you get the restful sleep you need.

Sport Guards

Sports guards are worn over the teeth, and are specifically designed to protect your mouth from oral trauma caused by high-impact sports. Many sports put players at risk for dental injuries caused by collisions to the mouth, face, or head, but a custom-fitted sports guard can help protect you from chipping, cracking, or knocking out a tooth. Tailored to fit your unique smile, sports guards are both comfortable and durable, so you can play the sports you love without missing a beat.

A sports guard is essential if you’re an athlete who plays football, basketball, baseball, soccer, rugby, hockey, gymnastics, mountain biking, or if you participate in any other activities that put you at risk for injury due to falling, body contact, or flying objects.

Have Questions About Dental Bonding?
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Can Dental Bonding Address All Oral Problems?

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Dental bonding can be used to correct several oral issues like tooth fractures, discoloration, awkward tooth shape & shape, and orthodontic problems. However, it has limits. This procedure may not work if you have severe oral issues, like gum disease and tooth decay.

You may need to undergo other dental restorative treatments before seeking dental bonding. These include veneers, dental crowns, and bridges.

What Does The Dental Bonding Procedure Involve?

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Dental bonding in Mukilteo is a two-stage procedure used to repair discolored, cracked, chipped, and misaligned teeth. During the first stage, your dentist will prepare your tooth for treatment. Unless your tooth is severely decayed, numbing won't be necessary.

Your dentist at  Driftwood Dental Studio will then choose a composite resin that blends with the color of your natural teeth. A little roughening is done to the tooth surface before administering the bonding material.

Once the resin is applied to the tooth surface, it's molded, shaped, and hardened with laser light. The entire dental bonding procedure can usually be completed in a single appointment, which takes about half an hour to one hour.

How Long Does Dental Bonding Last?

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Dental bonds are designed to provide long-lasting results. However, the longevity of this treatment varies from individual to individual. And it depends on several factors, such as your oral hygiene habits and the area of your mouth bonded. On average, it can last between five and 10 years before you need any touch-ups.

Do Bonded Teeth Require Special Care?

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Bonded teeth usually require special care and maintenance to preserve their appearance and avoid damage to the bonding material. Caring for your bonded teeth can also help you get the most out of your treatment. Here are a few tips for caring for your  bonded teeth:

• Maintain good oral habits, such as regular brushing and flossing
• Limit acidic and sugary foods
• Avoid chewing or biting on hard objects
• Visit your dentist for routine examinations and cleanings

How Much Does Dental Bonding Cost?

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The cost of dental bonding can vary depending on the extent of the procedure, the amount of material used, and the dentist's expertise. Note that some insurance companies won't cover dental bonding because they consider it a cosmetic procedure.

So it's important to check with your insurer before booking an appointment. Your dental bonding dentist can evaluate these factors and prepare a custom quote for you.

Schedule an Appointment with Driftwood Dental Studio Today

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Dental bonding can be an excellent choice if you're uncomfortable with your smile due to fractures, chips, cracks, or discoloration. Dr. Rebecca Butler of Driftwood Dental Studio is experienced in dental bonding and can help bond your teeth to improve your smile.

Ready to get started? Contact us at (425) 609-0230 to schedule your next appointment.

Did you know…

Dental bonding is suitable for both children and adults.

interested in bonding services?

Call (425) 609-0230 to schedule