Although Dr. Robert Milner is a highly skilled dentist who can perform complicated procedures, he also takes pleasure in performing more straightforward treatments. When his Mission Viejo patients complain about smaller imperfections on their otherwise healthy teeth, he frequently suggests dental bonding as a solution. Dental bonding is a non-invasive procedure that makes pain-free aesthetic improvements to the teeth.
The Benefits of Dental Bonding
Dr. Milner can use dental bonding to address several cosmetic issues:
- Repairing a cracked or chipped tooth
- Altering the shade of discolored teeth
- Closing wide spaces between teeth
- Adding length to a tooth that is shorter than neighboring teeth
Bonding can also be used for some non-cosmetic purposes, like protecting exposed tooth roots due to a receding gumline. Some patients opt to use resin to fill in cavities on a decaying tooth so that it looks more natural. If you have a cavity, Dr. Milner can explain the advantages of a tooth-colored filling over the traditional silver amalgam approach during a consultation.
What Happens When You Come In for Dental Bonding
To begin, Dr. Milner carefully cleans the tooth or teeth that will receive the bonding to make sure no plaque gets trapped by the treatment. He then selects resin, a strong plastic material, that corresponds with the color of your teeth. Because the resin starts as a putty, he can easily mold the material over your tooth or teeth. Next, he shines an ultraviolet light on the treated teeth to harden the resin so that it stays in place.
After the bonding is secure, Dr. Milner buffs and polishes the tooth so that it looks smooth and natural among the other teeth in your mouth. Because the procedure is painless, there is no need to have your mouth numbed. The entire treatment is usually completed in less than an hour per tooth.
Caring for Dental Bonding
With proper care, dental bonding can last for five to 10 years. Dental bonding results do not last as long as the results of many other dental procedures, but many patients consider that a fair bargain for a treatment that is less invasive and expensive than other options.
Because dental bonding is particularly vulnerable to breaking or cracking, you should avoid unnecessary chewing on hard objects like pens, fingernails and ice cubes. If at any point the bonding cracks slightly and creates a sharp edge in your mouth, schedule a follow-up appointment with Dr. Milner to fix this issue.
Resin stains more easily than natural teeth, so be aware of foods and beverages that are known to cause tooth discoloration like berries, red wine, cola and coffee. Smoking is also notorious for staining the teeth. Since teeth whitening procedures do not improve the shade of resin, your best bet remains brushing your teeth twice daily to reduce staining.
Meet with Dr. Milner
As Mission Viejo’s best-reviewed cosmetic dentist, Dr. Milner is proud to offer dental bonding to conceal various imperfections in your mouth. To have Dr. Milner examine your mouth and determine if this affordable cosmetic treatment is the correct procedure for you, please make an appointment by calling (949) 859-8899.
