Cosmetic Bonding in Washington

Bonding can change how a tooth looks, but it can't answer every question about that tooth. If it hurts when you bite, has a deep break, or keeps losing a repair, covering the visible spot may miss the problem. An exam can help sort out what needs attention before you decide whether a cosmetic change makes sense. You don't have to know the cause when you come in. Tell us what you feel, what you can see, and what has changed.

How your teeth meet matters, too. A bonded edge that takes pressure each time you bite may have a harder job than one that doesn't. Clenching or grinding can add to that pressure. That doesn't rule out bonding in every case, but it does change the question from "Can this edge look smoother?" to "Will that shape work when I use my teeth?" If a large part of the tooth is missing, adding resin for appearance alone may not address what the tooth needs.

The change you want might also be bigger than bonding can make look natural. Adding material to one tooth affects how it looks beside the others. If that tooth would need to become much wider or longer to give you the result you pictured, a small addition may end up looking out of place. Our cosmetic dentistry in Washington includes more than bonding, so you can describe the result you want without deciding on a procedure first. It's better to be clear about that goal than to settle for a change that doesn't address it.

Think about what you expect afterward as well. Bonding material can chip or pick up stains over time. A change that looks right at first may need attention later, especially if it's on an edge that gets a lot of use. If you want a result that won't ever need another look, bonding can't promise that. It's fair to ask how much material the change would take and what could affect it over time before you decide.

And if a small cosmetic detail doesn't bother you much, you don't have to change it. You may decide you'd rather leave the tooth as it is. That's different from ignoring pain, a new break, or another change you don't understand. In those cases, the useful first step is to find out what's happening with the tooth. Bonding should be a choice about a change you want, not a way to avoid a question about your dental health.

Start with the one thing you want to look different. You don't need dental terms. Point to the edge, corner, or space that catches your eye, then say what you'd like to keep the same. If you have a photo of your tooth before it changed, bring it. A picture of your own smile can be more useful than a picture of someone else's teeth.

The next question is how small a change would do the job. Bonding adds tooth-colored material, so the proposed shape needs to make sense on your tooth, not just look good in isolation. For example, making one front tooth match its neighbor may call for a slight change to its edge. Asking to make it much longer is a different decision. You should be able to describe the result you're hoping for before you agree to it.

Tell us if the tooth has been repaired before, or if its appearance has changed recently. Those details give the dentist a clearer picture of what you're asking to change. You can also say when you notice the concern most, such as when you smile in photos or see the tooth from the side. That helps keep the conversation tied to what matters to you.

Before deciding, ask what part of the tooth would change and what would stay as it is. If the answer isn't what you pictured, it's fine to pause and explain again. You can also ask whether your goal calls for work on just one tooth or whether changing that tooth alone would make it look out of place. The point isn't to leave with the biggest possible change. It's to know what you're choosing.

At our office at 300 Peoria St, cosmetic bonding is an available service. Dr. Dennis Burton and Dr. Jonathan Gifford staff this location. You don't have to decide on a shape or shade before you come in. Come ready to show the detail you mean and ask whether bonding can make the modest change you want.

If you're thinking about bonding, you may want to know who works at the office you'll visit. Our office is staffed by Dr. Dennis Burton and Dr. Jonathan Gifford, and cosmetic bonding is offered here. Those are the local details that matter more than a list of every dentist across the practice's four offices.

Dr. Burton joined the practice in 1988. He's been with the practice for over 30 years. Dr. Gifford splits his time between Washington and Peoria. If you have a preference for either dentist, mention it when you call so you can ask about availability at our office.

Knowing who staffs an office doesn't tell you which dentist would handle a particular appointment. It's reasonable to ask who would see you to discuss the change you want and who would do the bonding if you decide to go ahead. You can ask that before choosing an appointment time, especially if seeing a particular dentist matters to you.

Your choice should rest on whether you're comfortable asking questions and whether the proposed change makes sense to you. You don't need to agree to work you don't understand.

You can also ask what you'd need to know before committing to treatment, including which tooth or teeth the dentist would recommend bonding and what might affect the result. Those questions aren't a test of your dental knowledge. They help you find out whether the dentist's recommendation matches the small change you came in to discuss. If it doesn't, you can say so.

This practice accepts and bills most insurance plans and moved to a fee-for-service model in August 2024. If payment or insurance affects your decision, ask how your plan would be handled and what the proposed bonding would cost before you agree to treatment. Working with a plan doesn't, by itself, tell you what that plan will pay.