Dental Bonding in Gulfport, MS

More than one-third of all Americans are unhappy with their smiles. While for some the displeasure occurs because of crooked teeth, for others the problem comes down to chipped or cracked teeth. 

To help you perfect your smile and prevent tooth decay from arising in untreated cracks, John Hopkins, DDS, at Centre for Smile Designs offers dental bonding. 

What Is Dental Bonding?

Dental Bonding in Gulfport, MSDental bonding is a cosmetic procedure that uses tooth-colored resin to fix tooth imperfections. The resin material can change the shape, size, or color of the treated tooth. 

Dental bonding is a good option if you need to:

  • Conceal cracks and chips in your teeth
  • Hide tooth discoloration
  • Change the shape of your teeth
  • Hide gaps between your teeth

The resin material that Dr. Hopkins uses for dental bonding is the same that he uses for filling cavities and protecting roots that are exposed because of gum recession. 

Benefits of Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a quick procedure. It usually takes 30 to 60 minutes per tooth, making it much faster than other options like veneers or crowns. 

Dental bonding is also less expensive. If you worry about being able to afford treatment, or if you have many teeth in need of repair, bonding can provide better cost-effectiveness than veneers. 

Another benefit of dental bonding is that it helps with tooth discoloration. If you have one or more teeth that have stains or are completely discolored, Dr. Hopkins offers the chance to get the exact color you want. Resin comes in various hues, so he can always find the one that matches your healthy teeth. 

Dental bonding is also less invasive than veneers and crowns. With dental crowns, Dr. Hopkins has to remove a significant amount of enamel to allow the crown to comfortably fit into place. Although veneers require less enamel removal, some enamel must still be taken. On the other hand, for the majority of people, dental bonding does not require any enamel removal. 

The results of dental bonding are natural and comfortable. Many people turn to metal crowns when they have trouble affording ceramic ones, but metal crowns are clearly noticeable. You may not want that. Dental bonding can offer many of the same results while matching the resin to your teeth. 

Crowns and even veneers can sometimes take a while to get used to. With dental bonding, you will hardly feel the changes to your tooth.

Finally, because dental bonding can help cover cracks and chips, it is an inexpensive way of protecting your teeth from bacteria. 

The Dental Bonding Procedure

If you have chips, cracks, or discoloration, you can turn to Centre for Smile Designs to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hopkins. 

At the consultation, Dr. Hopkins will ask about your medical history and oral health history. He will also want to know about your oral hygiene routines and whether you take any medications. 

He will then assess the damaged tooth to see if you are a good candidate for dental bonding. To determine this, he will take CBCT X-rays to make sure there is no bone loss. He will also examine your gums. If you have signs of gum disease or severe tooth decay, he will recommend treating those problems first. 

Dr. Hopkins will also tell you all about the costs you can expect. There are many payment options you can turn to, including Care Credit, which allows you to make monthly payments so you can get the exact treatment you need. 

Dr. Hopkins will help you select the right resin color. He has a resin color guide that allows him to customize the material.

After that, he will roughen the surface of the tooth and apply a conditioning liquid, which can help the bonding resin stick to your teeth. 

Dr. Hopkins will then apply the resin, which has a consistency similar to putty, and shape it to cover the whole tooth or the damaged part of it. To dry the resin, he uses a special curing light that bonds the material to the surface of your tooth. 

Once the resin is dry and securely in place, Dr. Hopkins will polish it so it matches the rest of your teeth. 

Most people do not need anesthesia when getting dental bonding. 

Dental Bonding Aftercare

The dental bonding procedure doesn’t require any downtime. You will be able to participate in your regular activities right after your appointment.

To keep the dental bonding looking great for years to come, you’ll want to take care of it as you do your regular teeth. This means brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. Choose a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. 

Like your natural teeth, the resin used in dental bonding can get stained. Especially during the first few days after the procedure, avoid or limit your consumption of foods and drinks that can stain enamel and resin. These include:

  • Wine
  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Sodas
  • Berries

You also want to avoid certain hard foods that can crack or chip the resin, like chicken bones, ice chips, and hard candy. Don’t open packages with your teeth, either. 

If you grind your teeth at night, ask Dr. Hopkins whether a mouthguard is a good option. Grinding your teeth can put a lot of pressure on the bonding. 

If you take care of your oral health, dental bonding can last as long as 10 years before needing to be replaced. 

Get Help for Chipped or Cracked Teeth

If you have tooth chips or cracks, or if you have discoloration that keeps you from having the kind of smile you want, you can turn to Dr. John Hopkins at Centre for Smile Designs in Gulfport, MS. 

With over 40 years of experience, he offers comprehensive care that allows you to get treatment for your whole family under one roof. He works with some of the most advanced imaging technology, including CBCT X-rays, to provide an accurate diagnosis. 

Don’t live with cracked or otherwise damaged teeth when there is help available. Contact Centre for Smile Designs today.