Your smile is usually the first thing people notice about you, so don’t settle for one that doesn’t make you feel amazing!  With advanced digital technology and training, Dr. Schultz can enhance your smile in as few as one appointment!

If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your smile due to small chips or gaps between your teeth, or if you dislike the color or shape of your teeth, cosmetic bonding may be a great option! Cosmetic bonding is a conservative and affordable alternative to veneers and other cosmetic treatment options, that can help to restore and enhance the appearance of your front teeth.  This procedure involves the use of a composite (tooth-colored) material that is bonded to the tooth, to address any of these imperfections.

The great news about cosmetic bonding and contouring is that it’s a conservative way to address your esthetic concerns (usually, a minimal amount of tooth structure needs to be removed), and can typically be completed in a single appointment.

What is Cosmetic Bonding and Contouring?

Cosmetic bonding can help to:

  • Fill in small gaps
  • Fix small chips
  • Conceal spots of erosion (wear of the enamel due to acid or other abrasive materials)

With dozens of shades and hues to choose from, Dr. Schultz can select colors of composite (tooth-colored filling material)that best match your tooth before we begin the procedure.  She will also discuss any re-contouring or reshaping that will change the length or width of the teeth, so that we can create a restoration that is harmonious with the shape of your face and smile.

  • Shorten or lengthen overly long or short teeth
  • Re-shape teeth
  • Eliminate chips
  • Close gaps between the teeth

The Procedure

During a cosmetic contouring appointment, Dr. Schultz will carefully remove a minimal amount of enamel to adjust the shape and/or length of the tooth/teeth as needed. The process is completely comfortable, and usually no anesthetic is needed.

If cosmetic bonding is indicated, tooth-colored filling material (composite) can be added to a tooth/teeth to fill in chips and/or gaps between the teeth, in order to improve their overall appearance. The tooth-colored resin, custom selected to match the color of your tooth/teeth, is applied to chips and/or gaps and is shaped to look like your natural tooth. Targeted light is then used to harden the resin, and then the restoration is contoured and polished. Most patients can have a single tooth restored in one treatment, but others may require multiple appointments to treat more than one tooth.

Caring for Your Composite Bonding

It’s important to care for your teeth following a composite bonding procedure to ensure long-lasting results. While the results of cosmetic contouring are permanent, resin from bonding can become discolored without proper care. Patients should avoid large amounts of tea, coffee, and cigarettes to avoid staining the bonding resin. Also, regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits can help to keep your smile healthy and help to maintain the appearance of your natural teeth. Composite bonding can last for years if proper care is taken.

A great smile can be your most attractive feature, so it’s important that you’re happy with the way your smile looks.  We have many different techniques available to shape and sculpt your teeth, so talk to Dr. Schultz about which option may be the right one for you!  Contact us today for more information.

See our cosmetic bonding smile gallery here.