Dental Bonding and Contouring
Dental bonding and contouring can be used to seamlessly correct minor damage and cosmetic dental flaws.
What Are Dental Bonding & Contouring?
Dental bonding and contouring are processes for repairing and restoring your teeth. During dental bonding (also called cosmetic dental bonding), the doctor will apply 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.Â
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.
Benefits of Dental Bonding & Contouring
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
Effortless and Effective Smile Enhancements
At Smiles of Chevy Chase, we don’t offer every type of dental implant listed below. Contact our dental office at 301-652-0656 to explore our treatment options.
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 than other restorative and cosmetic procedures such as dental crowns.
The Dental Bonding & Contouring Process
Before your dentist 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 the dentist have both decided that dental bonding and contouring are right for you, we’ll schedule your next appointment. When you next visit us, your Smiles of 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 dentist will contour and polish both the resin and your natural teeth for an even finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
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, The dentists recommends the following:
- Avoid consuming staining foods, drinks, and other substances (like coffee, tea, and tobacco products) for at least 48 hours after your procedure.
- Don’t bite down on hard objects, such as ice cubes, hard candy, fingernails, and pens.
- Brush your teeth as soon as possible after eating in the days following your procedure.
- Practice proper oral hygiene including regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an alcohol-free mouthwash after meals.
- Visit Smiles of Chevy Chase for regular dental cleanings and dental exams at least once every six months.
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.
Visit Smiles of Chevy Chase for Dental Bonding & Contouring!
Smiles of Chevy Chase offers 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.
