Dental Bonding

Dr. Chow can change the look of non-optimum teeth with a procedure called dental bonding. A resin material that blends in with the color of your teeth is applied to the tooth, then cured with a special light that bonds the material to the tooth. Bonding is often done as a cosmetic procedure to change the look of a tooth or teeth, but it can also be used to fill cavities.

Woman with her hand to her chin, smiling

Common Reasons for Dental Bonding:

Repair broken, chipped or cracked teeth
Make discolored teeth whiter
Change the length of a tooth
Change the look of misshapen teeth
Provide protection for exposed tooth roots
Fill a cavity with a tooth-colored material instead of amalgam
Close a gap between teeth

Bonding is a great economical alternative to other cosmetic procedures, such as veneers and crowns. They also do not require as much tooth reduction as these other restorations do. However, dental bonding is not as stain resistant as a crown or veneer, nor is it as strong. Dr. Chow can discuss this option with you and answer any questions you may have.

Dental Bonding Procedure

If Dr. Chow recommends dental bonding, the first step will be to choose a shade of the composite resin that matches the color of the patient’s teeth. This procedure requires no anesthesia except in cases where it is being used to fill a cavity in which case the tooth will be numbed so that all decayed material can be removed prior to filling. If Dr. Chow recommends dental bonding, the first step will be to choose a shade of the composite resin that matches the color of the patient’s teeth. This procedure requires no anesthesia except in cases where it is being used to fill a cavity in which case the tooth will be numbed so that all decayed material can be removed prior to filling. Following initial preparation, Dr. Chow will carefully apply the resin, shaping and smoothing until he is satisfied that the tooth has met his stringent standards of perfection.

As one of Thousand Oaks most respected dental professionals, he understands the importance of having a beautiful smile that boosts confidence. Each step of a dental bonding procedure is done with this goal in mind. After the tooth has been sculpted, it is cured with an ultraviolet light. This makes the material bond with the tooth and also hardens the resin. The tooth is then trimmed and polished so that it matches the other teeth. This procedure is quick and painless. Bonding usually takes about an hour per tooth. Following the procedure patients can enjoy eating and drinking their favorite foods in about 48 hours. This will allow the bond to fully mature so that red wine and other staining liquids will not mar the beauty of the newly restored smile.

Candidates For Dental Bonding

While dental bonding is a great option for certain types of restorations, it is not recommended in certain cases. Patients who have significant decay in molars will likely need to have crowns or dental implants. This is due to the biting and chewing forces placed on molars. Dental bonding is best used in front teeth, to fill smaller cavities and to provide protection for exposed roots.

Patients who have chips, small gaps, uneven teeth and other small defects will be delighted with the result of dental bonding.

Inlays & Onlays

These restorations, made of tooth-colored resin or porcelain, are fitted to a cavity in a tooth. They are often used when a cavity is too big for a regular filling but not big enough to require a crown. They are custom made based on an impression made of your teeth. An inlay lies in the center of the tooth, and an onlay extends to one or more cusps (top peaks) of the tooth.

Inlays and onlays are more aesthetic than metal fillings and are very strong.