Not all damage done to your teeth requires major restorative or reparative work. Damage to your teeth is never a good thing, but a chip in your tooth can often be treated by a process known as dental bonding. Aside from fixing a chipped tooth, bonding can also repair damage done from decay, or discoloration. Bonding can be used to lengthen a tooth, or correct a misshapen tooth. Bonding is easy and inexpensive.

After an examination, the dentist will select a color for the resin that matches the color of your tooth. Unless a cavity needs to be filled, anesthetic is not normally needed during the process. Your dentist will etch the surface of the tooth to help the bond adhere to it; and then apply the resin. After molding the resin the to the proper shape, it will be hardened using a special light. Then it is trimmed and polished until it matches the rest of your tooth.

With proper brushing and flossing, your bond should last approximately 10 years. Keep in mind that your bond can be damaged by chewing ice, pens or other hard objects, opening packages with your teeth, and by grinding or clenching your teeth. An imperfect bite can also cause problems by wearing down the bond. The resin used in creating the bond is strong, but not as strong as your natural tooth enamel.

If you have a tooth in need of repair and you would like to learn more about dental bonding, our dentist, Dr. Tyler Christopherson will be happy to see you. If you live in the Stevens Point, Wisconsin area, call 715-952-5920 to make an appointment at Christopherson Family Dentistry. We’re excited about helping you improve your smile!