What to Expect During and After Dental Bonding Treatment

A cracked or chipped tooth can make you feel self-conscious about or unhappy with your smile. You might find yourself unwilling to smile, laugh, eat, or even converse in public for fear someone will see your less than perfect tooth.

At the dental practice of Dr. Padmaja Yalamanchili in Fairfax, Virginia, we offer a wide variety of cosmetic dentistry options, including dental bonding for simple repairs.

Dental bonding basics 

The most popular material for dental bonding is a composite resin. We color match the resin to your existing enamel, so your smile looks completely natural. The resin is similar to putty in consistency when soft. When applied, an adhesive helps it bond to your tooth while a hardener makes the resin as tough as your original teeth.

When you come in for dental bonding, we’ll evaluate the state of the tooth or teeth to be treated. In some cases, we may need to remove some of the damaged tooth material, and roughen up the surface for better adherence.

None of this should hurt. If you have dental anxiety, talk to us about it when you make your appointment, and we’ll create a plan to ensure you’re comfortable and at ease.

We can usually do your dental bonding in a single visit, even if you have more than one tooth to be bonded. Once the bonding is applied, we’ll use a blue light to activate the hardening agent. You can relax while this step is completed.

Finally, Dr. Yalamanchili shapes and polishes the surface of the bonded area until it matches the rest of your teeth for an even, beautiful smile. The cured resin can last for years if you have regular dental visits and take good care of your teeth at home.

Dental bonding vs. other options

We can use composite resin to fix small chips or cracks in your teeth, fill in small cavities, and repair other minor imperfections. However, if you’ve had extensive damage to your teeth or are experiencing major discoloration, you may need to try other options in addition to or instead of dental bonding.

Teeth whitening can increase the brightness of your smile. If you’re planning on teeth whitening, get it done before you have your bonding appointment so we can match the composite resin to the color of your white teeth.

Veneers are a good option if your teeth have cracks or chips that are too big to repair with simple bonding, or if you have other issues like a gummy smile or crowded teeth. Porcelain veneers are stronger than resin and last longer. 

Want to fix minor damage to your smile quickly and cost-effectively? Schedule a consultation to discuss dental bonding by calling 703-213-5312, or book an appointment online.