Some people feel self-conscious about their dental imperfections because they think they take away from their smile. Dentists can recommend dental bonding to address many types of imperfections, including staining, cracking, and chipping. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering this dental solution to restore your smile.

What’s Dental Bonding?

When undergoing a bonding procedure, a composite resin material is applied to the natural tooth to mask defects. To ensure the material forms a tight bond with the tooth, the enamel is lightly etched before the adhesive is applied. Once the adhesive is in place, the composite resin material is put onto the tooth, and your dentist will shape it so that it matches the other teeth. It can also be dyed to match your exact smile shade.

What Issues Does It Fix?

Minor chips and cracks in tooth enamel can be fixed with bonding. So can serious staining that’s set deep within a tooth. These types of stains don’t respond well to teeth whitening alone as bleaching solutions are only able to remove surface staining. Bonding is also beneficial if you’re unhappy with the size and shape of a tooth.

What Can’t It Fix?

Bonding isn’t ideal for substantially decayed or damaged teeth. In this case, a root canal might be the better option if the tooth can be preserved. Root canals are often succeeded by dental crowns, which keeps the reconstructed tooth in place. If the tooth needs to be extracted, a dental implant can replace it.

If you want to get dental bonding, turn to the team at Aina Haina Dental Group in Aina Haina, HI. These professionals provide an array of cosmetic and restorative procedures, including dental bonding, veneers, crowns, and bridges. This family-owned practice has been open since 1976 and is led by DR. Keith W. Morikawa, DDS. View their services online, or call (808) 373-2184 to schedule an appointment.