Miami and Coral Gables, Florida
Tooth bonding is an excellent option to repair decayed, chipped, fractured or discolored teeth. Miami cosmetic dentists Dr. Raul Garcia and Dr. Conchi Sanchez-Garcia use the finest materials to ensure that your tooth-bonding treatment achieves beautiful, natural-looking results.
The Tooth-Bonding Procedure
One of the big differences between tooth bonding and porcelain veneers is the procedure itself. Porcelain veneers are created, colored and hardened in a lab according to your cosmetic dentist’s specifications. Dental bonding is sculpted on your tooth by your cosmetic dentist. As a result, the procedure can be completed in one office visit, eliminating the follow-up appointments required for porcelain veneers. The rule of thumb is that tooth bonding is used to repair smaller imperfections in teeth while porcelain veneers are used to repair larger imperfections requiring a stronger material.
Dental bonding starts out as a paste made of composite resin. Our Miami cosmetic dentists prepare your tooth by removing some surface structure that is weakened by decay or is stained. This will enable a stronger bond. We match the resin to the color and translucency of your tooth, sometimes using several layers to get just the right tone. We carefully sculpt the composite resin to the perfect shape. Finally, it is hardened and bonded in place using a special light.
Applications for Dental Bonding
Dental bonding can be used to treat small cosmetic dental problems. It can also be used in cases where there is not enough existing tooth material to support a dental veneer. Applications for tooth bonding include:
- Broken tooth
- Chips
- Cracks
- Cavities
- Gaps between teeth
- Discoloration
- Minor crookedness or twisted tooth
- Misshapen tooth
- Tooth that is too short
- Seal eroded enamel
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dental Bonding
Advantages to dental bonding can include:
- Less expensive than porcelain veneers
- Can be accomplished in one office visit; porcelain veneers require two visits because they are made in the lab
Disadvantages to dental bonding can include:
- More easily damaged during cleaning if you do not work with a hygienist who has experience with dental bonding
- Less resistant to staining
- Not quite as beautiful as porcelain
Dr. Garcia and Dr. Sanchez-Garcia will choose the appropriate material to restore your teeth depending on the nature and extent of your cosmetic dental problem. By following the doctors’ guidance, the advantages can be maximized and the disadvantages minimized, ensuring longevity to your newly restored smile.
Please contact our Miami cosmetic dentists today to schedule your initial appointment. Miami Designer Smiles serves patients in Miami and Coral Gables, Florida.