--- title: "Dental Bonding Wildwood, MO | Fix Chips & Gaps | Town Center Dental" description: "Improve your smile with dental bonding in Wildwood, MO. Fix chips, cracks, and gaps with a quick, painless treatment. Schedule your visit today!" url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-bonding publisher: Town Center Dental phone: +1-636-273-5866 quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment --- ![The front desk at Town Center Dental](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/_astro/front-desk.DggnCQNL_1MeaQP.avif) # Dental Bonding Dental bonding uses tooth-colored resin to repair small chips, gaps or stains. Cleveland Clinic says it usually takes one visit and often needs little or no enamel removal. The material is less long-lasting than veneers or crowns. Your dentist will talk with you about whether bonding fits your tooth. [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866) ## Often one visit Cleveland Clinic says bonding can usually be done in a single office visit. ## Lasts a few years Cleveland Clinic reports bonding typically lasts between three and 10 years before touch-up or replacement. ## Stains more than porcelain Cleveland Clinic says bonding does not resist stains as well as porcelain. Ask how to limit staining. ## Made for small changes For bigger changes, your dentist may suggest veneers. Tooth bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure used to treat cracked, chipped, or discolored teeth. During this procedure, our dentist at Town Center Dental will use a tooth-colored resin and a special light to bond the material to the tooth and restore your smile. Bonding is a simple and cost-effective solution compared to other procedures such as crowns and veneers. ## Options Our dentist will consider tooth bonding as an option to repair a defect or imperfection within a tooth. This mainly includes decayed teeth, cracked or chipped teeth, and discolored teeth. Bonding can be used to close spaces between teeth or make teeth longer. When gums recede, bonding can also be used to protect an exposed portion of a tooth’s root. ## Procedure Dental bonding is a quick and non-invasive procedure, multiple appointments are not required, and neither is a local anesthetic. Anesthesia will only be used if the bonding is being used to fill a decayed tooth. In this case, your dentist will need to remove the area of decay using a laser, drill, or air abrasion instrument. For the first step of the bonding process, our dentist will choose a shade of composite resin that matches your teeth. Then the dentist will roughen the surface of your tooth and apply a conditioning liquid. This will help the bonding adhere to the tooth. Next, the dentist will apply composite resin over the tooth, then mold and shape the tooth. Finally, ultraviolet light will be used to harden the material. This procedure will take 30 to 60 minutes in total to complete. ## Aftercare Bonding material can chip, so the most important part of aftercare is avoiding bad habits that can damage teeth. This includes biting nails, eating ice, or chewing on hard inedible objects like pens. Otherwise, your bonded teeth do not require any special care. Be sure to practice good oral hygiene habits by flossing and brushing your teeth twice a day or after each meal, using antiseptic toothpaste and mouthwash, and scheduling cleanings with our dental healthcare provider every six months. ## Advantages And Disadvantages of Tooth Bonding There are limitations to dental bonding. Tooth bonding is best suited for small cosmetic issues concerning your teeth. Bonding materials do not last as long as fillings, crowns, or veneers, and they are also not as strong. Additionally, tooth bonding is only suitable for teeth with very low bite pressure. This means that tooth bonding is normally only used to treat the front teeth. However, as far as cosmetic dental procedures go, bonding is the easiest and least expensive form of treatment. Additionally, tooth bonding requires the least amount of existing tooth enamel to be removed in order to treat damaged teeth. Tooth bonding can be done in just one visit. Allow our experienced dental professionals at Town Center Dental to repair your smile with a tooth-bonding treatment. Please allow us to be your trusted dental care office and call us today at [636-273-5866](tel:6362735866). Bonding and veneers compared Question Dental bonding Dental veneers Visits Usually one More than one Enamel removed Usually little or none Some, which is not reversible Material Tooth-colored resin built up on the tooth Thin shells of porcelain or composite Lasts Typically three to 10 years Varies by material and care Good fit for Small chips and gaps Larger or multi-tooth changes ## How long does dental bonding last? Cleveland Clinic says bonding material typically lasts between three and 10 years before it needs touch-up or replacement. How long yours lasts depends on your habits and how many teeth were treated. Chewing ice, biting nails or using your teeth to open packages can chip it. A [night guard](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/night-guards) may help if you grind your teeth. Your dentist checks the bonding at routine visits. Bonding is a form of [composite resin](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/composite-resin) work. If it chips, your dentist can often repair it rather than starting over. Write down your questions before the visit. Your dentist will talk with you about what to expect and explain each step before it starts. If you are unsure, call (636) 273-5866. The team can answer questions and help you book a visit. The office is open Monday to Thursday. ## Will bonding stain? It can. Cleveland Clinic notes that dental bonding material is somewhat stain-resistant but does not resist stains as well as porcelain. Coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco are common causes. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily. Keep up your cleanings. Your dentist can polish bonded teeth and tell you if a repair is due. If you plan to [whiten your teeth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/teeth-whitening), tell your dentist before bonding. The resin shade is matched to the color of your teeth at that time. Every mouth is different. After your exam, your dentist explains how this applies to you and what your choices are. The office does not publish fees. The team looks at your plan and your treatment, then gives you an estimate for your own case. ## When is bonding the wrong choice? Bonding is for small changes. Cleveland Clinic says that for more dramatic changes you may need other treatments, such as porcelain veneers. A large chip, a badly worn tooth or a heavily stained tooth may need something stronger. Your dentist can explain the pros and cons of each choice. See the [veneers versus bonding guide](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/veneers-vs-bonding) and the [dental veneers](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-veneers) page. If the tooth is cracked or broken, a [crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-crown) may be a better fit. If you grind your teeth, tell your dentist. That can affect how long any cosmetic repair lasts. Keep your follow-up visits. They let your dentist check how things are going and answer new questions. You can also request an appointment online. Tell the team what you want to talk about so they can plan your visit. ## Questions about dental bonding [Read the guideVeneers vs Bonding vs Crowns: Which Option Fits Chips, Gaps, and Stains?](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/veneers-vs-bonding) ### What is the difference between composite bonding and veneers? Bonding builds up tooth-colored resin on your tooth, usually in one visit with little or no enamel removed. Veneers are thin shells that cover the front of a tooth and remove some enamel. Your dentist can explain which suits your teeth. ### Does dental bonding hurt? Cleveland Clinic says that bonding usually needs no downtime. You may have short-term sensitivity afterward, and over-the-counter pain relievers can help. Your dentist will tell you what to expect and when to call. Your dentist can explain more at your visit. ### Can bonding be removed? Often yes. Cleveland Clinic says bonding can be reversed at any time because it typically does not require enamel removal. Ask your dentist what removal would involve for your tooth. Ask your dentist what applies to you. ### How do I take care of bonded teeth? Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. Avoid chewing ice or biting your nails. Keep your regular checkups so your dentist can check the bonding and polish or repair it. Call (636) 273-5866 with questions. ### Is bonding covered by insurance? It depends on your plan and the reason for the work. Cosmetic work is often not covered, but repair of a damaged tooth may be treated differently. The office checks your benefits and gives you an estimate. ## Related services - [Dental Veneers](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-veneers) - [Teeth Whitening](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/teeth-whitening) - [Dental Crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-crown) - [Smile Makeover](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/smile-makeover) - [Night Guards for Bruxism](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/night-guards) ## Sources - [Cleveland Clinic: What Is Dental Bonding?](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10922-dental-bonding) ## Ready when you are [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)