Dental bonding is a minimally invasive and reversible procedure.
Dr. Becky Chiem will examine your teeth and may take x-rays to get a full look at the state of your teeth and oral health. The presence of tooth decay or gum disease will rule you out as a candidate and severe chipping may not be suitable for dental bonding.
Local anesthesia is typically not necessary for this procedure. A shade guide will be used to select a composite resin that matches your tooth color. Your Albuquerque dentist will then slightly etch the tooth to create a rougher surface that will help the resin bond to the tooth better and then a conditioning liquid will be applied.
The composite resin material is applied to the tooth and molded into the desired shape. It is cured with UV light and instantly hardened.
Additional shaping and contouring can be performed if necessary. Once the desired result has been achieved, the tooth will be polished to match the other teeth.
Teeth cleanings are essential for maintaining a healthy mouth. Seeing an oral hygienist and a dentist in Albuquerque every six months ensures that minor stains, plaque, and bacteria can be removed from your teeth, and that your smile remains healthy and strong.
Good at-home oral hygiene is also important. Make sure you brush at least twice a day for two minutes using fluoride-based toothpaste, and floss once per day to get rid of food particles, plaque, and bacteria that can’t be removed with brushing alone.
Fluoride treatments can be applied to the teeth after any teeth cleaning. Your dentist will apply a layer of fluoride-rich gel or paste directly to your teeth, and leave it in place for several minutes. Then, it will be rinsed away.
After treatment, the fluoride will attract minerals like calcium and phosphates to your teeth, strengthening and “remineralizing” them. This, in turn, helps prevent the formation of cavities.
Dental sealants are a great way to fight back against cavities, and can be used on patients of all ages. Sealants are made up of a layer of liquid dental resin, which your dentist will apply directly to the rear teeth. Usually, sealants are only used on the rear teeth because their deep crevices are more prone to cavities.
This resin is hardened using a UV light, creating a strong, transparent barrier. This blocks food debris, acid, and bacteria from contact with your enamel. A strong dental sealant can prevent the formation of cavities for up to 10 years.
Periodontal care is an essential part of preventive dentistry for patients who have gum disease. The first stage of gum disease is known as “gingivitis,” and it can be reversed with specialized deep cleanings and proper at-home oral hygiene. It’s important to see your dentist for regular checkups so they can monitor your oral health and ensure gingivitis is at bay.
Patients with more advanced cases of gum disease can never fully eradicate the disease, although it can be maintained with more frequent, deep cleanings. Routine periodontal maintenance cleanings are typically scheduled every 3 months and can halt the progression of the disease, keeping their oral health under control.
Oral cancer screenings are an essential part of preventive care. Oral cancer is often hard to detect until it spreads more widely and becomes more serious. However, your dentist can detect signs early simply by performing an oral exam at your biannual dental appointments.
Your dentist will examine your mouth, gums, and oral tissues. They will look for discolored patches, lumps, growths, and other such abnormalities. In the rare case that an issue is found, a biopsy can be taken and sent to a specialist for further analysis, or your dentist will refer you to a specialist directly. Consistent dental visits allow your dentist to become familiar with your oral health, which in turn, allows them to more easily notice when there may be something wrong.
Dental bonding takes about 30-60 minutes per tooth and is one of the cheapest cosmetic procedures.
Dental bonding is a much cheaper alternative to teeth whitening and veneers but can achieve the same effect. The procedure is painless, minimally invasive, and relatively quick, taking about 30-60 minutes per tooth, and can be completed all in one visit.
This is one of the more accessible cosmetic procedures that can do wonders for a patient’s smile and confidence. It’s a versatile procedure that not only improves cosmetic concerns but structural concerns as well.
A chipped tooth could otherwise need a dental crown which would require removing part of the enamel. However, the composite resin is durable, looks very natural, and strengthens the tooth while enabling the patient to change other aspects of the tooth’s appearance.
The lifespan of this procedure ranges from 3-10 years depending on wear and tear and oral hygiene. Tooth bonding is temporary so the resin material will need to be replaced over time and can become damaged or stained.
The biggest foes of dental bonding are staining and chipping. To prevent this and extend the lifespan of your bonded teeth, you should reduce your consumption of staining foods and drinks and abstain from smoking.
Surface stains can be removed through regular dental cleanings every 6 months. Composite resin stains at a slower rate than your natural teeth but they can become discolored over the long term with improper care.
Protect your teeth from damage by wearing a mouthguard if you grind your teeth and avoiding using your teeth as tools or to chew on hard foods. Practice good oral hygiene by flossing once a day and brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Since dental bonding is considered a cosmetic procedure, it is typically not covered by dental insurance. However, if this depends on your insurance, coverage, and reason for obtaining the procedure.
For example, if you have suffered from dental trauma or injury that has damaged the structure of the tooth, then the bonding may be considered medically necessary for purpose of tooth restoration and is more likely to be covered for insurance than for purely aesthetic reasons. The only way to know for sure is to check with your insurance provider.
Anesthesia is usually unnecessary during the bonding procedure unless the nerve has been exposed due to chipping or a lot of drilling will be performed.
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