Pediatric Dental Bonding Scottsdale AZ

What is Dental Bonding?

You may have heard of composite fillings as an alternative to silver fillings for cavities. In dental bonding, we apply the same tooth-colored, composite resin material to your child’s teeth, only instead of filling cavities we also apply it to the teeth exteriors to effectively reshape and resize them. 

An old advertising slogan went, “Art steps in where nature fails.” Today, modern cosmetic dental bonding materials and techniques can step in when, because of nature or otherwise, your child’s smile needs help to become the most appealing it can be today and later in life.

Dental bonding is an effective way to correct problems with smiles, including:

• Fixing the appearance of cracked or chipped teeth
• Closing gaps between teeth
• Changing the shape of teeth
• Correcting for tooth discoloration
• Replacing silver fillings with less conspicuous, tooth-colored fillings
• Protecting exposed roots of teeth from gum recession

How We Apply Dental Bonding in Our Scottsdale Office

The procedure to apply dental bonding to your child begins with an assessment that we will do with you. 

During this assessment, we will do an examination of your child’s mouth and take X-rays. 

If the assessment reveals problems more serious than a smile that needs help, like tooth decay, gum disease, or tooth alignment issues better treated through orthodontics, we will let you know at this time.

This is also a good time for you to ask questions about dental bonding that we do not answer here.

During the dental bonding procedure, we will prepare your child’s teeth to apply the composite material and choose a color for the bonding material that matches the color of the surrounding natural teeth.

When we apply the ceramic material it will have a putty-like consistency, but this will harden quickly. Once it does, we will make any final adjustments to the material and then polish it to a natural-looking appearance.

The bonding procedure usually takes only one appointment to complete.

Dental Bonding FAQs

Where can I find child dental bonding services near me?

If you live in the Scottsdale-Phoenix area, then we are near you. We provide a full range of pediatric dental services, including dental bonding, orthodontics, Invisalign, and more.

Is dental bonding a common procedure in pediatric dentistry?

Dental bonding is a frequently-used cosmetic procedure today for children and adults. It is proven safe and effective as a way to affordably make smiles straighter and brighter.

What is the difference between dental bonding and veneers?

A veneer is a porcelain cap that adheres to the front of the tooth. To apply a veneer, we must remove some of the tooth enamel. And once a veneer goes on, it is permanent. 

Dental bonding, by comparison, does not require us to remove any tooth enamel and is reversible. It does not last as long as veneers do, though. A veneer can last from 10 to 20 years, while dental bonding usually lasts for 3 to 10 years.

Note that you might hear or see the term “composite veneer” when reading about dental bonding. This term describes a dental bond that covers the entire surface of a tooth.

How long does dental bonding take?

Unless your child’s dental bonding is combined with other dental treatments or procedures that require more time, it usually takes 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to do. Ordinarily the entire process can be done in a single appointment.

Is dental bonding painful?

Because dental bonding does not involve tooth enamel removal and does not penetrate existing enamel, your child should experience no pain.

In most cases, we do not need to apply any local anesthesia during the procedure. If your child has any temporary sensitivity after dental bonding, an off-the-shelf children’s pain reliever will usually be enough.

Does dental bonding require any special cleaning or maintenance?

Generally, no. Your child’s dental bonding is ready-to-use as soon as the procedure is complete, so there is no period of waiting before he or she can resume normal activities.

We suggest, however, avoiding behaviors that can put unusual pressures on dental bonds, like chewing on items in response to stress or boredom, or using the teeth like tools to open things like packages.  

For cleaning, the procedure to use with dental bonding is the same as for ordinary tooth brushing. We recommend your child brush at least two times a day, floss at least once a day, and follow a regular schedule of dental check-ups and cleanings with us.

How long does dental bonding last?

As stated above, the useful life of dental bonding before maintenance is needed is typically from 3 to 10 years. How long your child’s dental bonding lasts can be affected by factors like how many teeth we need to treat and your child’s oral habits.

Are there situations when dental bonding is not appropriate to use?

Although dental bonding uses the same composite material as we use to fill cavities, it is a cosmetic procedure, not a medical or dental treatment. If your child has dental problems like extensive tooth decay or gum disease, or if a more intensive solution like orthodontics would be a better choice, then we will discuss with you alternatives to dental bonding.

Is dental bonding removable?

Yes. We can remove your child’s dental bonding at any time if it is necessary or if your preference changes to a different cosmetic or treatment procedure.

What are the advantages of dental bonding? 

Dental bonding costs less than most other cosmetic procedures like veneers or crowns, or corrective procedures like orthodontics. It is minimally invasive and easy to apply, typically in a single visit to our Scottsdale offices. Dental bonding is also completely reversible.

Are there any disadvantages to dental bonding?

Dental bonding is not as durable as porcelain veneers, so it does not last as long and is more subject to chipping. Dental bonding color resins also do not resist staining as well as porcelain does.

How much does dental bonding cost?

The answer to this question depends on three factors: how many teeth will need dental bonding, the overall condition of your teeth, and how much bonding material needs to be used.

On average, dental bonding in Phoenix or Scottsdale costs between $300 to $600 per tooth before weighing in the other considerations. Still, compared to other cosmetic smile improvement options, like veneers and crowns, dental bonding is almost always significantly more affordable.

Will my health or dental insurance cover dental bonding?

Many Insurers will consider dental bonding used for cosmetic purposes to be an elective procedure, and they may not help you with the cost of dental bonding. If the dental bonding is part of a larger dental treatment plan for your child, though, which includes the use of the ceramic material for additional purposes like cavity fillings or covering exposed roots, this might qualify for insurance coverage.

We recommend you discuss dental bonding or other cosmetic treatments with your health or dental insurer to learn more about how it might help you with the cost. Also, if your insurance will not help, we can discuss affordable financing options with you, including monthly payment plans.

Come See Us About Dental Bonding in Scottsdale for Your Child’s Smile

With dental bonding technology, improving your child’s smile has never been easier, faster, and more affordable than it is now. We specialize in child dentistry, including cosmetic dentistry. If you live in Scottsdale or Phoenix, then our offices are convenient and close by to you.

Call us at (480) 422-4544 to schedule a free dental bonding consultation appointment for your child. Or, if you prefer, you can get in touch with us online to make an appointment or to ask us any questions you might have.