Dental Bonding and Contouring

Not every cosmetic concern requires an elaborate treatment plan. Sometimes a small change makes a very big difference, and dental bonding and contouring is one of the most effective ways to accomplish just that. At Creating Beautiful Smiles in Racine, WI, Dr. Palmer and Dr. Smalkoski use bonding and contouring to correct a wide range of minor imperfections quickly, comfortably, and without the need for extensive preparation. Dental bonding involves applying a tooth-colored composite resin material directly to the surface of a tooth. The resin is shaped and sculpted to correct the issue, then hardened with a curing light and polished to a smooth, natural finish. Bonding can repair chips and cracks, close small gaps between teeth, improve the shape of an oddly formed tooth, cover surface discoloration that does not respond to whitening, and even make teeth look longer or more even. Dental contouring, sometimes called tooth reshaping, takes a slightly different approach. Rather than adding material, contouring removes tiny amounts of enamel to smooth out rough edges, reduce the length of an overly long tooth, fix minor overlaps, or refine the shape of a tooth that is slightly irregular. Bonding and contouring are often used together in the same appointment to achieve a beautifully balanced result. One of the greatest advantages of these treatments is how little time they require. Most cases can be completed in a single visit, with no anesthetic needed for contouring and only minimal preparation for bonding. The results are immediate and can last for several years with proper care. If you are bothered by a small flaw in your smile, bonding and contouring may be exactly the simple, affordable solution you are looking for.

Your bonding and contouring appointment at Creating Beautiful Smiles begins with a conversation about what you would like to change about your smile. Dr. Palmer or Dr. Smalkoski will take a close look at the teeth you want to improve and discuss which approach or combination of approaches will give you the best outcome. For dental bonding, the surface of the tooth is lightly conditioned to help the resin material bond securely. The composite resin is then selected to match the shade of your natural tooth as closely as possible and applied directly to the tooth. Your dentist will carefully shape the material by hand, building up volume or filling in chips and irregularities until the desired result is achieved. A curing light is used to harden each layer as it is applied. Once all the material is in place, it is smoothed and polished to blend seamlessly with the surrounding tooth surface. For dental contouring, your dentist uses a fine sanding disc or instrument to gently remove small amounts of enamel from specific areas. This may smooth a rough or jagged edge, reduce a slightly pointed tooth tip, or even out two teeth that are not quite the same length. The amount of enamel removed is very small and typically causes no sensitivity. When bonding and contouring are combined in the same visit, the entire appointment usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes for one or two teeth, though longer appointments may be scheduled when more teeth are being treated. Results are visible immediately, and most patients leave feeling pleased with the change right away. With regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups, your results can last for many years.