Fix Chipped Teeth, Gapped Teeth, Broken Teeth, and Stained Teeth

Austin Cosmetic Dental Bonding - Repair Chipped, Worn, Discolored Teeth

Fix chipped, Worn or Discolored Teeth With Dental Bonding

What is Cosmetic Dental Bonding?

Your Austin dentist can use the same material she uses to fill a cavity to improve the cosmetic appearance of your smile. Cosmetic dental bonding utilizes composite resin, a highly durable, white compound that your Austin cosmetic dentist can color match to your natural enamel. Cosmetic dental bonding and called tooth colored filling allow Dr. Ragsdale to reshape your tooth, correcting cosmetic imperfections such as chipped teeth, gaps, stains, and broken teeth.

How Can Cosmetic Dental Bonding Improve My Smile?

Cosmetic dental bonding can fix a variety of flaws including chipped teeth, gapped teeth, broken teeth, and stains or discolorations. Cosmetic dental bonding provides an inexpensive and extremely conservative way to improve your smile. However, dental bonding will eventually show wear and tear and may need replacing every few years. For a more long-lasting cosmetic solution, you may want to consider porcelain veneers.

Can Cosmetic Bonding Help Severely Stained Teeth?

Some tooth stains, such as those originating from red wine, grape juice, tomato sauce, and tobacco products, can be removed with a professional teeth whitening system from your Austin cosmetic dentist. Unfortunately, most teeth whitening systems cannot treat stains that originate from within the tooth, such as those caused by overexposure to fluoride, certain antibiotics, and some endodontic procedures. For patients with moderate-to-severe teeth stains, cosmetic bonding offers an effective, inexpensive, and conservative option. Cosmetic dental bonding cannot treat every type of stain, so you will need to talk your Austin dentist to see if cosmetic bonding will work for you.

What Happens During a Cosmetic Bonding Procedure?

Your Austin cosmetic dentist can complete your dental bonding in a single visit. A truly conservative procedure, cosmetic bonding usually does not require any removal of enamel or the use of anesthetic. First, Dr. Ragsdale will treat the surface of your tooth with conditioning formula that gently etches the surface. These micro-etchings allow the composite resin to bond even more strongly with the tooth enamel. Next, Dr. Ragsdale layers composite resin and allows it to harden using a special light. Once hardened, she utilizes several sculpting tools to shape and polish the cosmetic dental bonding to a realistic shine.

Can Cosmetic Bonding Complement Other Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures?

You may have heard the term “smile makeover” in the media or on one of the many makeover reality shows on television. Smile makeovers refer to a series of smaller cosmetic dentistry procedures that, as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, result in a dramatic improvement in the quality and radiance of your smile. Cosmetic bonding creates small changes that, when considered with other conservative treatments such as tooth contouring, a gum lift, or teeth whitening, can have a positive impact on the appearance of your teeth. For instance, you may choose to whiten your teeth with a professional teeth whitening system and then, after completing the whitening treatment, have Dr. Ragsdale bond a couple of chipped teeth that have been spoiling your smile. With a minimal investment of time and money, you have the kind of smile you want to show off.

How Long Will Cosmetic Bonding Last?

Composite resin is a durable, biocompatible material that your skilled Austin cosmetic dentist, Dr. Helen Ragsdale, can use to fill a cavity as easily as fill in a gap between two teeth or reshape a chipped tooth. While your cosmetically bonded tooth can function perfectly for years, several factors can affect it appearance. For instance, drinks such as coffee, red wine, and cranberry juice, and foods such as tomato sauce, blueberries, and soy sauce can penetrate and leave discolorations on dental bonding. Chewing or smoking tobacco can also accelerate the accumulation of stains on composite resin. Even certain abrasive toothpastes can damage the surface of your dental bonding. With proper care, your cosmetic bonding can stay beautiful but you will need to avoid common sources of stains and scratches.

How Should I Care for My Cosmetic Bonding?

Since composite resin closely mimics tooth enamel, you should care for a bonded tooth just like you would care for your natural teeth. Follow these steps to help extend the life of your cosmetic bonding:

Follow American Dental Association guidelines for brushing for two minutes, two times per day, and flossing once every day, preferably just before bed.
Make sure that you use minimally abrasive toothpaste. Abrasive additives in many toothpastes can scratch the surface of your cosmetic bonding, dulling the finish and encouraging stain accumulation.
If you choose to use mouthwash, use one that does not contain alcohol. Alcohol can actually weaken dental bonding.
Visit your Austin family dentist for regularly scheduled checkups and cleanings to keep plaque and tartar in check and prevent oral diseases that can compromise your oral health and the longevity of your dental bonding.
Should the need arise, Dr. Ragsdale can also repair or refinish cosmetic bonding that has discolored or needs retouching.

If you want a cosmetic dentistry solution with a longer life than cosmetic bonding, you may want to discuss porcelain veneers with Dr. Ragsdale. Not everyone has the enamel strength to qualify for veneers and veneers require a larger time investment and are more cost intensive than bonding. Having a candid discussion with your dentist will help you determine your smile goals and develop a cosmetic treatment plan that will get you the smile you want.

Interested in Cosmetic Dental Bonding in Austin?

Dr. Helen Ragsdale, your Austin cosmetic dentist, can correct chipped teeth, worn teeth, and stained teeth with cosmetic dental bonding. Call our Austin dentist office at (512) 346-4690 to schedule an appointment. Austin Laser Dentistry proudly serves patients from Austin, Round Rock, and all surrounding communities.