Patients in Farmington Hills benefit from composite bonding

Composite dental bonding is a versatile and natural-looking treatment that can correct a multitude of dental concerns, such as:

• Repairing a cavity without noticeable silver amalgam fillings
• Protecting the exposed roots of a tooth which may be caused by receding gums
• Whitening the appearance of dulled or discolored teeth
• Restoring chipped or broken teeth
• Repairing and protecting teeth with decay
• Closing gaps between teeth
• Enhancing the shape or length of the teeth

At Richard S. Bernstein, DDS, located in Farmington Hills and serving patients from nearby West Bloomfield, Walled Lake, and surrounding communities, we believe in providing our patients with a host of family and cosmetic dentistry options to care for their smiles, including composite dental bonding.

A special resin is layered onto the teeth and a light hardens it. Bonding requires very little preparation to the tooth being treated and is typically a painless procedure. Dr. Bernstein and the patient select a precise match for the shade of material. The tooth is lightly abraded and conditioned, which helps the bonding resin to adhere. The putty-like material is applied, shaped, and smoothed to the appropriate shape and hardened with a laser or ultraviolet light. Once the material is set, Dr. Bernstein trims and polishes the resin to blend with the patient's natural teeth. The process typically takes less than an hour.

Composite dental bonding offers many advantages for patients seeking small corrections to imperfections. The procedure can usually be performed in one visit and does not have a significant impact on tooth enamel.

Bonded teeth are easy to maintain with proper oral hygiene, including brushing twice per day, flossing regularly, and visiting our office for professional cleaning and examination. Patients should avoid harmful habits such as fingernail biting, chewing ice, or eating hard foods because the composite bonding can chip if excessive force is applied. Bonded teeth should be retouched every few years.

For more information about the comprehensive array of advanced dentistry available at Richard S. Bernstein, DDS, contact our professional dental team at 248.636.2100. Appointments may also be conveniently requested online.