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Cosmetic

Dentistry

Suzanne Popp, D.D.S.

619.435.4444

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Dedicated Professionals Fulfilling Dental Cosmetic Dreams

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Bonding-Before

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Bonding-After

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Composite Bonding

When teeth are chipped or slightly decayed, bonded composite resins may be the material of choice to restore the damaged tooth. First, the tooth structure is cleaned and etched. Then a clear adhesive is applied to the area needing bonding. Once applied, a tooth colored bonding material is placed on the tooth. It is permanently hardened and fused to the tooth with a hand held white light gun. This process is called photo curing. Bonding makes a great tooth colored filling for small cavities and broken or chipped surfaces. It can also be used to close spaces between teeth. Additionally, it is used to cover the entire outside surface of a tooth to change its color and shape. For the latter two applications, bonding has its limits. It may not be strong enough, aesthetic enough, or durable enough for certain individual situations. When these problems occur, the next choice would be porcelain laminate veneers.

Treatment Time: One to two hours per tooth.

Patient Maintenance: Professional cleaning three or four times yearly. Avoid hard foods on front teeth. Bonding to fill in a space is more susceptible to chipping. Proper use of floss daily is required. One problem with most direct bonded restorations is that they can stain or chip. Expect to have some repolishing or repair as necessary.

Results of Treatment: Most spaces can be filled in to look very natural.

Average Range of Treatment Life Expectancy: Three to Five years. Professional refinishing once every year or so.

Cost: Approximately $400. to $800.

Advantages:

Little or no reduction of tooth structure
Anesthesia not always required
Reversible procedure
Economical, more so than crowning
Teeth can also be lightened

Advanced
Cosmetic
Dentistry
  Suzanne Popp, D.D.S.
  1010 8th Street
  Coronado, CA 92118
  619.435.4444

Disadvantages:

Can chip or stain more easily than crowns
Has limited esthetic life
Treatment may involve extra teeth to obtain proportionate space closing
Teeth may appear somewhat thicker

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