Dental Bonding and Contouring in Bethesda & Chevy Chase, MD

Your teeth play a huge role in giving your smile a beautiful appearance, but they’re not likely to develop looking exactly the way you want them to in most cases. It’s normal for your teeth to grow crooked or misshapen. Even if you’re content with your smile, accidents do happen and flaws such as damage and discoloration can negatively affect your teeth.

To achieve a better, more complete smile, patients often require additional help from a dental professional. That’s why, at Smiles of Chevy Chase, our cosmetic and restorative dentist Dr. Markogiannakis offers dental bonding and contouring to improve the look of your teeth.

Dental bonding and contouring are processes for repairing and restoring your teeth. During dental bonding (also called cosmetic dental bonding), Dr. Markogiannakis applies a composite resin to your teeth, which is the same material used for tooth-colored fillings. She then sculpts the bonding resin onto your tooth to address minor damage and cosmetic flaws.

Dental contouring (also called dental reshaping or enameloplasty) is more involved since your dentist will remove small portions of your enamel to correct the size, shape, and overall appearance of your natural teeth.

Cosmetic Smile Restoration: Dental bonding and contouring can be used to seamlessly correct minor damage and cosmetic dental flaws such as:

• Chips
• Cracks
• Stains
• Small cavities
• Discoloration
• Large gaps
• Size issues
• Exposed tooth roots

Repair and Protection: Dental bonding repairs minor dental damage while also protecting your teeth against future damage.

Minimal Prep Necessary: Dental bonding and contouring doesn’t require the same extensive preparation as other restorative and cosmetic measures. Dental bonding and contouring are usually painless as well, so you shouldn’t need anesthetic.

Fast & Easy Treatment: Dental bonding and contouring can often be completed in one visit to our Chevy Chase dental office and these processes range from minimally invasive to completely non-invasive.

Predictable Results: Dental bonding and contouring offer highly effective treatment for predictably satisfactory results, with very few chances for deviation.

Affordable: Smile enhancement with dental bonding and contouring is often more affordable than other restorative and cosmetic procedures such as dental crowns.

Before your Chevy Chase dentist, Dr. Markogiannakis approves you for dental bonding and contouring, she’ll have you visit Smiles of Chevy Chase for an initial consultation. During your consultation, she’ll ask you about your oral health goals, review your medical history, and suggest other restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry options that you may qualify for. Your sedation dentistry options can also be discussed with your dentist during your consultation if you experience any dental fears and anxieties, or if you have a strong gag reflex.

Once you and Dr. Markogiannakis have both decided that dental bonding and contouring are right for you, we’ll schedule your next appointment. When you next visit us, your Chevy Chase dentist will clean your teeth. Then, she’ll apply the bonding resin to your teeth in layers and harden it with a special light before more layers are added. Once the bonding process is complete, your Chevy Chase dentist will contour and polish both the resin and your natural teeth for an even finish.

How long do dental bonding and dental contouring last?

Dental contouring is a permanent process that removes a small amount of enamel. Conversely, the composite resin used in dental bonding tends to last up to ten years. However, it may last even longer with the right care and attention.

If you want to preserve your bonding resin and extend its longevity, you should practice proper oral hygiene and visit Smiles of Chevy Chase at least once every six months for regular dental cleanings and dental exams. During your regular exams, if your bonding resin is wearing out, your Chevy Chase dentist can touch it up as needed.

How do I care for my teeth after dental bonding and contouring?

To properly care for your teeth after dental bonding and contouring, Dr. Markgoiannakis recommends the following:

1. Avoid consuming staining foods, drinks, and other substances (like coffee, tea, and tobacco products) for at least 48 hours after your procedure.
2. Don’t bite down on hard objects, such as ice cubes, hard candy, fingernails, and pens.
3. Brush your teeth as soon as possible after eating in the days following your procedure.
4. Practice proper oral hygiene including regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an alcohol-free mouthwash after meals.
5. Visit Smiles of Chevy Chase for regular dental cleanings and dental exams at least once every six months.

Is dental bonding and contouring covered by insurance?

Dental bonding and contouring are mostly considered cosmetic procedures so they’re generally not covered by dental insurance. Our front office can contact your insurance company to confirm your coverage, but we encourage you to reach out to your provider beforehand to get an accurate understanding. During your consultation with Dr. Markogiannakis, she can go over an estimate of the cost and payment options we accept at Smiles of Chevy Chase.

Which is better – dental bonding and contouring or veneers?

The answer as to whether dental bonding and contouring or porcelain veneers is the better option will depend on your specific dental needs. For example, dental bonding may be better suited to a patient with cavities because it can repair the damage if it’s been caught soon enough. Dental contouring can reshape your teeth faster than porcelain veneers. Your Chevy Chase dentist will let you know all of your options and inform you of their benefits during your initial consultation.

Your Chevy Chase dentist offers dental bonding and dental contouring as fast, affordable, and effective alternatives to other restorative and cosmetic dental procedures. Leading greater Washington area dentist, Dr. Markgoiannakis, and the team at Smiles of Chevy Chase proudly offer this versatile service to patients near our location and in surrounding areas such as Bethesda, Somerset, and Forest Hills.

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of cosmetic dental bonding and dental contouring, then contact our Chevy Chase dental office by dialing 301-652-0656. You can also request an appointment online and one of our friendly team members will get back to you shortly.