Looking to Beautify Your Smile? Consider Cosmetic Bonding!
If you are looking for a way to beautify your smile, consider cosmetic bonding. Whether you need to make just a few minor modifications to the aesthetic look of your teeth or have more extensive imperfections you’d like to hide, cosmetic bonding can be the perfect dental treatment to provide you with the beautiful looking smile that you seek.
Cosmetic bonding may be a good option if you are looking to improve the appearance of cracks, chips, decay or discolorations on teeth. Dental bonding can also change the shape of teeth and can close up spaces between teeth. The cosmetic bonding procedure is painless and can be completed relatively simply and easily. Patients of Park Dental Care of Astoria can enjoy the benefits of cosmetic bonding in Queens with just one simple visit to our office and can walk out of our office with a noticeably more attractive smile. It takes about an hour or less per tooth to complete the cosmetic dental bonding procedure in our Queens, NY office.
During the cosmetic bonding procedure, the surface of the tooth or teeth to be bonded is etched or roughened, in order to create an appropriate surface for the bonding material to be adhered to. Once etched, a bonding agent is applied to the tooth’s surface to hold the composite resin material in place that will form the new exterior tooth surface. A high intensity, ultraviolet light or laser is used to harden and cure the composite resin material used to create the bond. This resin material is naturally colored to match existing teeth and once hardened, can be trimmed, shaped and polished to look just like a natural tooth.
Cosmetic dental bonding is one option for enhancing the look of your teeth and is generally less expensive than other cosmetic dental treatments that require more extensive work and time to complete, such as dental crowns, porcelain veneers or dental implants. Since cosmetic bonding can create the same aesthetic results as these more elaborate and expensive options, some of our patients opt for cosmetic bonding procedures to tackle more extensive tooth restorations. One thing to note, however, is that although cosmetic bonding can produce the same aesthetic results as some of these other tooth restoration methods, the bonding material is not as durable and may chip or wear away over time. If this occurs, the bonded area may need to be repaired or replaced.
Can Teeth That Have Cosmetic Bonding Be Whitened?
No, the composite resin material used to create a dental bond cannot be whitened. Therefore, it is best to have your teeth professionally whitened prior to having the cosmetic bonding procedure performed. The resin material used to create a dental bond will be matched to the exact color of existing teeth but cannot be changed once applied.
How To Care for Teeth After Cosmetic Bonding?
There are no special procedures required to care for teeth that have been bonded, other than following general dental hygiene procedures such as proper tooth brushing, flossing and routine dental visits. It is important not to bite hard objects or the bonding material can chip or crack prematurely. Although cosmetic dental bonding creates a fairly durable surface on the tooth, it may need to be repaired or replaced every 5 – 10 years, or sooner, depending on oral habits.
Are There Instances Where Cosmetic Bonding Is Not Recommended?
If tooth imperfections are too extensive, or areas between teeth to be bonded are too large, cosmetic bonding may not be a viable option. Also, since cosmetic bonding only changes the exterior look of the tooth, it is not an option for those that have serious decay within the tooth or below the gumline. Cosmetic dental bonding is a good option only when the exterior surface of the tooth requires enhancement.
Will Insurance Pay For Cosmetic Bonding?
The details of each individual insurance plan can vary but whether or not dental bonding is covered by insurance may depend in part on whether the purpose of the bonding is strictly for cosmetic purposes or whether it is being done to also correct structural problems. If the bonding is only done for cosmetic purposes, it is not typically covered, but the procedure or a portion of the procedure may be covered if cosmetic bonding is done to correct structural problems, such as cracks, chips and areas of decay. It is best, however, to check with your dental insurance provider prior to beginning treatment to review your insurance coverage.
For more information about cosmetic bonding in Queens, contact Park Dental Care today. At Park Dental Care of Astoria, we offer a wide selection of cosmetic dentistry options, including cosmetic dental bonding. Queens residents, as well as those located throughout metropolitan NYC, will find that we are conveniently located near the N & Q subway lines at the Astoria-Ditmars Blvd. station. Let us show you how cosmetic dental bonding can help you achieve the smile of your dreams!
