A Brighter, More Confident Smile: Dental Bonding with Dr. Richard Grubb

Do you envy people with naturally straight, even, gleaming white smiles? Have stains, chips, gaps, or cracks in your teeth left you feeling self-conscious? Modern dental bonding could provide the quick cosmetic fix you’re looking for — without requiring extensive orthodontics or veneers.

Dr. Richard Grubb of Family Implant and Reconstructive Dentistry uses tooth-colored material bonded to the teeth to improve smiles and repair damage. 

What Is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding uses thin, translucent porcelain, composite resin, or other materials to cover cracks, gaps, discoloration, and minor misalignment. Unlike bulky veneers, bonding applies only to a thin layer over your teeth. This requires minimal removal of healthy tooth structure underneath. The material adheres directly to the teeth for seamless, uniform color correction or reshaping.

While used primarily for cosmetic enhancement, bonding can also repair chips or cracks for structural and aesthetic benefits. It provides a friction-free surface over uneven areas prone to trapping stains or bacteria. The bonding process takes a single office visit, requires no anesthesia, and sets quickly with a special curing light. And since it mimics the light-reflective properties of natural tooth enamel, properly cared-for bonding blends right in.

Benefits of Dental Bonding

• Seamless solution for minor gaps, stains, chips, or uneven surfaces
• Thin application preserves healthy tooth structure
• Quick and comfortable in-office application with no anesthesia
• Uniform color for a naturally beautiful smile
• Can combine subtle reshaping with stain concealment
• Single-visit application
• Durable yet reversible if dental needs or preferences change

Candidates for Dental Bonding

Dental bonding lends itself well to a variety of cosmetic and structural needs, with candidates including those who want to:

• Conceal stains or discoloration from food, drinks, smoking, medications, or age
• Fill small gaps or spaces between close-set teeth
• Improve the symmetry of uneven teeth
• Repair minor chips and cracks
• Reshape small teeth for a symmetrical appearance
• Close small gaps caused by minor misalignment or missing teeth
• Provide a short-term solution for teenagers before orthodontic treatment
• Camouflage the discolored portion of endodontically-treated root canal teeth

The Dental Bonding Process at Family Implant and Reconstructive Dentistry

Dr. Grubb’s balanced expertise in both cosmetic and advanced restorative treatments helps him determine whether bonding alone or in conjunction with implants, crowns, or veneers offers the ideal solution for patients’ dental issues and cosmetic goals.

During the initial consultation, he meets with patients to evaluate their oral condition, aesthetic objectives, and budget. He provides realistic illustrations of attainable outcomes so patients understand the results. Diagnostic data help him develop a precise treatment plan.

At the bonding appointment, Dr. Grubb selects composite resin in the preferred tooth shade. He roughens the binding site on the teeth ever so slightly to establish traction and may selectively remove a small amount of surface enamel. After isolating a couple of teeth at a time from saliva exposure, he applies bonding agent liquid to enable the resin to adhere. 

Next, he sculpts pliable resin material over the prepared bonding site on the teeth with specialized instruments. He fine-tunes shape and color for seamless integration of the bonded material and existing teeth. 

He uses a curing light to harden the material in seconds. After some additional polishing, he’ll have the patient examine their beautiful new smile! Total bonding appointment time averages 30 to 60 minutes.

Caring For Dental Bonding

While bonding provides durable and stain-resistant enhancement, optimal longevity relies partly on good oral care habits. Dr. Grubb offers tips like:

• Brush with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste twice daily
• Gently floss once per day, taking care around bonding edges
• Rinse using an antiseptic mouthwash to reduce bacteria and acidity
• Avoid smoking, tobacco, and heavily-pigmented foods and drinks
• Visit Dr. Grubb every six months to ensure bonds remain intact

Over time, the bonding material may chip or discolor slightly as bonding edges collect minimal bacteria or stains that require quick and inexpensive repair by Dr. Grubb. Compared to more invasive treatments like veneers or crowns, dental bonding offers an affordable and lower-commitment cosmetic solution for a wide range of issues — backed by Dr. Grubb’s experience with simple and complex cases.

Frequently Asked Questions