Do you have one or two teeth with visible flaws? Perhaps one tooth is bigger or smaller than the others, or maybe you have an intrinsic stain that doesn’t respond to whitening treatments. Bonding treatments are an excellent way to correct cosmetic flaws on individual teeth, to make your smile look more attractive and complete.

Also called tooth reshaping, this cosmetic treatment is similar to porcelain veneers, in that it can give your tooth a new façade and a new appearance. However, bonding is a reversible treatment, so it may be a good choice if you are on the fence about choosing (non-reversible) veneers.

Bonding and contouring treatments can correct:

• Chipped teeth
• Enamel erosion
• Intrinsic staining
• Gum recession
• Overly pointed teeth
• Teeth that are too small
• Unsightly shallow cracks (craze lines)

Contact our team at Silver Spring Smiles if you would like to learn more about bonding and other cosmetic dentistry treatments. You can reach us online or call us at 301-588-5400 to make an appointment.

Bonding vs. Contouring

These two treatments are often mentioned in the same sentence, but they refer to two different processes. Bonding is the process by which tooth-colored composite resin is sculpted to a tooth to create a new surface to cover cosmetic flaws. This process adds another layer to the tooth, using the same material in white fillings. Dental composite has been designed to adhere strongly to tooth enamel, so it becomes a seamless part of your tooth and stays fixed in place.

Contouring refers to the process of artistically sculpting away small amounts of natural tooth enamel, to create a more aesthetically pleasing shape. If a tooth is much larger than its peers or has an unusual shape, Dr. Dufera may remove small amounts of enamel at strategic points to create a more attractive tooth line. Bonding and contouring are often combined in smile makeovers, as a skilled cosmetic dentist knows exactly how much tooth to add or take away to create your best smile.

How Do Bonding and Contouring Work?

Tooth bonding and contouring are extremely gratifying treatments since they take place chairside and can usually be finished in one appointment. As a trained and experienced cosmetic dentist, Dr. Dufera does not require the services of a dental laboratory to give you a fantastic smile makeover using bonding and contouring!

If you’ve ever seen the process for applying artificial gel nails, bonding is somewhat similar. Dental composite resin is the “clay” that will be used to sculpt a new face for the tooth being treated. Each bonding procedure will include the following steps:

1. Dr. Dufera will use a shade guide to select the composite resin that most closely matches the color of your teeth.
2. The tooth is gently abraded to ensure the composite resin will bond securely to the tooth.
3. Composite resin is applied to the tooth, and then molded and shaped into an attractive form.
4. Once Dr. Dufera achieves the proper shape for your tooth, a special curing light is used to harden the composite resin and bond it to the tooth.
5. After the composite has hardened, Dr. Dufera may further trim and shape the bonded tooth until it looks just right.
6. The tooth is cleaned and polished until it matches the sheen of the rest of your teeth.

An Affordable Alternative to Porcelain Veneers

Many patients dream about getting a comprehensive treatment like porcelain veneers, but find the cost prohibitive. Additionally, the fact that veneers are not reversible makes it a considerable lifelong commitment. If your cosmetic concerns are limited to just one or two teeth, you may not need veneers to achieve a life-changing smile makeover. Many of the same issues porcelain veneers treat can be corrected with bonding and contouring. Some patients choose to combine bonding and contouring with whitening treatments to create a dramatically improved appearance.

Enhance Your Smile Today!

To learn more about bonding and contouring, or other cosmetic dentistry treatments, Silver Spring, MD, contact our office online or call 301-588-5400. We love to help our patients look and feel their best!