Dental Bonding in Santa Monica

Dental bonding is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that uses a tooth-colored resin to repair or enhance teeth. It addresses issues like chips, cracks, gaps, discoloration, or irregular shapes. Dentists apply a composite resin, matched to the natural tooth color, after roughening the tooth surface and using a conditioning liquid. The resin is sculpted, shaped, and hardened with a curing light, then polished for a natural finish. This quick and cost-effective treatment improves the aesthetics of teeth with minor imperfections.

Dental bonding is a versatile technique employed to enhance both the form and aesthetics of teeth. Common applications include:

• mending small chips or cracks in teeth
• refining the shape of irregularly shaped teeth
• extending the length of short teeth
• broadening the size of small teeth
• concealing tooth stains resistant to whitening treatments
• closing minor gaps between teeth

While dental bonding excels at addressing cosmetic concerns, it is not designed to rectify alignment issues or address severe damage or decay in teeth. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to seamlessly address various imperfections and enhance the overall appearance of the teeth, providing a non-invasive and aesthetically pleasing solution.

The bonding procedure starts with a color match using a shade guide to ensure a natural look. The dentist selects a composite resin that matches your tooth shade. The tooth is slightly abraded or etched for better adhesion, then a conditioning liquid is applied. A putty-like resin is then sculpted onto the tooth, shaped, and solidified with UV light.

Once set, the resin is further shaped and polished to match the natural tooth’s luster. Each tooth takes about 30 to 60 minutes, and multiple visits may be needed. Post-procedure, avoid substances like medications, coffee, tea, dark sodas, and cigarettes for a few days, especially during the first 48 hours, to maintain color integrity. Regular dental cleanings and daily brushing are essential.