Cosmetic Bonding San Diego | Rancho Bernardo Dentist
Fast and Affordable Front Tooth Repair
One of the most common cosmetic emergencies we treat is a chipped front tooth. For many patients in the Rancho Bernardo area, cosmetic bonding is the single best, most affordable, and most conservative solution. Because it is a minimally invasive, same-day procedure, the cost for bonding a single tooth is typically much lower than a porcelain veneer. If you have a chip, small crack, or a “peg lateral” (misshapen tooth), Dr. Salami can often restore your smile and confidence in just a one-hour appointment with beautifully durable composite resin.
What is dental bonding and how does it fix your smile?
Tooth bonding also called dental bonding or direct resin bonding is an outpatient procedure that’s used to repair cosmetic dental issues. Tooth bonding involves the application of a tooth-colored composite resin directly to the tooth surface, molding it to repair the damage and reshape the tooth, and then hardening it with a UV light or laser to ensure a strong bond to the tooth. Dental bonding is a safe, simple, and affordable way to correct cosmetic dental flaws and restore the radiance of your smile.
What is dental bonding used for?
The resin used in dental bonding is matched to the color of your teeth so that it provides a natural appearance that blends in with the rest of your teeth. This makes it the perfect solution for addressing a range of cosmetic dental issues, including:
- Chipped teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Stained teeth
- Gapped teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Small teeth
Dental bonding is sometimes used to address sensitivity of the tooth root caused by receding gums. It can also be used as a cosmetic alternative to fillings.
Small teeth bonding before and after
How long can I expect my dental bonding to last?
Typically, dental bonding lasts between 3 and 10 years, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Material used
- Location of bonding treatment
- Health and strength of the bonded tooth
- Your chewing habits (do you grind your teeth, bite your nails, etc?)
- Your oral hygiene routine
In order to maximize the longevity of your dental bonding, it’s important to brush your teeth twice daily, floss everyday, visit your dentist regularly, avoid chewing on ice or hard candy, and avoid using your teeth to open packages or beverage bottles.
Keep in mind that high staining foods and drinks could result in your dental bonding staining in a different color than your other teeth. Also, it’s important that you don’t whiten your teeth after your dental bonding procedure because the composite resin will not whiten in the same way as the rest of your teeth, and you could end up with teeth of different colors.
Dental bonding vs. Veneers
Porcelain veneers are another great solution for addressing cosmetic imperfections. There are some significant differences, however. While dental bonding is done in a single visit, porcelain veneers require at least two visits. Here’s a brief overview of some of the other ways the two procedures compare.
Closing Gaps (Diastema): Is Bonding or Veneers Better?
When correcting a gap (diastema) between your front teeth, both dental bonding and porcelain veneers are highly effective, but serve different goals:
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For Small Gaps: Cosmetic bonding is often the preferred, same-day solution. It is incredibly conservative, allowing Dr. Salami to add composite material to the sides of the teeth and seamlessly close the space in one visit without removing any natural enamel.
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For Larger, Multiple Gaps: Porcelain veneers may provide a more comprehensive, uniform result for a “diastema closure” involving several teeth, as they completely cover the front surface of the tooth. A consultation with Dr. Salami in our North County office will help you understand which restorative dentistry approach is the superior long-term choice for your unique smile.
- Cost
More affordable initially but will need to be replaced more often - Appearance
May darken over time More moldable to create custom tooth shape - Durability
3-10 years with proper care
Dental veneers
- Cost
More pricey up front but can last up to 20 years - Appearance
More stain resistant Reflects light more like natural teeth - Durability
10-20 years with proper care
How Can I Fix a Chipped Tooth Fast in San Diego?
A broken front tooth can cause immediate self-consciousness, and you want it fixed as soon as possible. At Dr. Salami & Associates, we specialize in fast, same-day cosmetic dentistry repairs for chipped or cracked teeth. You don’t need to wait weeks for a lab to create a restoration; we can complete your cosmetic bonding in our centrally located Rancho Bernardo office, ensuring you leave our practice with a polished, confident smile and can return to your life immediately.
Can Dental Bonding Be Whitened?
One of the most critical “post-op” questions is whether composite resin responds to teeth whitening. The answer is no: dental bonding material will not change color. To ensure your bonding seamlessly matches your surrounding teeth, it is essential that you complete any professional teeth whitening before your bonding procedure. Once your teeth have reached their ideal bright shade, Dr. Salami can precisely match the composite resin to your new, brilliant look, preventing a mismatch of colors.
Average cost of dental bonding in San Diego and North County
The cost of composite bonding will be dependent on the materials used, the complexity of the treatment, the location of the dental practice, and other factors specific to each individual treatment. For example, a small chipped tooth bonding cost may be lower than the cost of closing a gap, as less resin material may be required.
It’s important to note that unless your tooth bonding is done for medical purposes (to fill a cavity or protect an exposed tooth root, for example), tooth bonding is considered a cosmetic procedure and may not be covered by dental insurance.
Directions: Conveniently located for patients in North San Diego, Escondido, and Poway, just 1 minute off the I-15 at World Trade Dr