Bonding in San Tan Valley, AZ

Dental bonding is the procedure where we apply a tooth colored plastic material to a patient's tooth. Using a special light, the material hardens and bonds the material to the tooth. Dental bonding is used to improve a patient's smile. It can be used on cracked and decaying teeth. It also can be used for cavities. It can be used to change the shape and size of your teeth so you have a more uniform smile! It is also commonly used for receding gums by protecting the exposed teeth!

• Usually completed in a single visit
• Repairs chips and cracks in the tooth surface
• Reshapes teeth for a more even smile
• Protects root surfaces exposed by receding gums
• Conservative — little or no enamel removal needed

Bonding is the most conservative cosmetic option available. Unlike veneers or crowns, it usually requires little or no removal of healthy enamel, which means the tooth underneath stays intact and the treatment is largely reversible. It is also fast. Most bonding is completed in a single appointment with no lab work and no temporary, so a chipped front tooth can be repaired the same day rather than over several weeks. It handles a wide range of small problems: chips, cracks, minor gaps, uneven edges, and exposed root surfaces where gums have receded — the latter being a practical benefit as much as a cosmetic one, since exposed roots are sensitive and more prone to decay.

In most cases no anesthetic is needed unless bonding is being used to fill a cavity. The tooth surface is lightly prepared and conditioned so the material grips well, then Dr. Gifford selects a composite shade to match your surrounding teeth. The material is applied and sculpted directly on the tooth to the right shape and contour, then hardened with a curing light. Once set, it is trimmed, smoothed and polished so it blends with the natural surface and feels right against your tongue and lip. Bonded composite is durable but not as stain-resistant or as strong as porcelain. It can chip under heavy force and will pick up staining from coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco over time. Avoid using bonded front teeth to bite hard objects, and it will last considerably longer.