Dental Bonding in Chicago, IL

What dental bonding at AAP Dental includes

Dental bonding at AAP Dental includes an examination, shade selection, light roughening of the enamel, application of a bonding agent, layering and sculpting of composite resin, light curing, and polishing, all in one visit of 30 to 60 minutes per tooth.

• Shade match: the composite shade is chosen against the wet tooth so the repair blends with the neighboring enamel.
• Surface preparation: the enamel is etched with a mild acid for 15 to 30 seconds, which creates microscopic pores the resin grips.
• Sculpting: putty-like composite is shaped to rebuild the edge, close the gap, or cover the discoloration.
• Curing: a blue light hardens each layer in about 20 seconds.
• Finishing: the bonding is trimmed to the bite and polished to the gloss of enamel.

Dental bonding cost and insurance

Dental bonding cost is quoted per tooth and is lower than a veneer or a crown, because no dental lab is involved and the work is finished in one visit. Insurance covers bonding when it repairs a broken tooth and usually excludes bonding done for appearance alone.

AAP Dental accepts most traditional dental insurance plans and does not participate in HMO plans. Payment options include CareCredit financing, flexible payment plans, cash, checks, and credit cards. The dentist gives a per-tooth quote at the consultation.

What dental bonding treats and the results to expect

Dental bonding treats chipped edges, small cracks, gaps of up to about 2 millimeters, worn or short teeth, exposed root surfaces, and single discolored spots, and the result is visible the same day. Bonding lasts 3 to 10 years because composite is softer than porcelain and picks up stain faster than enamel.

• A chipped front tooth is rebuilt to its original length in one visit.
• A gap between the front teeth is closed by adding composite to both teeth.
• An exposed root from gum recession is covered, which reduces cold sensitivity.
• A white or brown spot on the enamel is masked without removing healthy tooth.

Who dental bonding is for

Dental bonding suits adults, teenagers, and children with a small chip, crack, or gap on an otherwise healthy tooth. Bonding is not recommended for large fractures, teeth that take heavy biting force, or patients who want a change across several front teeth, because those cases last longer with a porcelain veneer or a dental crown.

Patients who want whiter teeth overall are treated with take-home whitening before bonding, because composite does not whiten and the shade is matched to the final tooth color.

Before, during, and after dental bonding

Dental Bonding at AAP Dental follows 3 stages: preparation, the visit itself, and aftercare, and each stage has its own instructions below.

Before dental bonding

A dental cleaning removes plaque and stain so the composite bonds to clean enamel, and whitening is completed 1 to 2 weeks before bonding when a lighter shade is wanted.

During dental bonding

1. The dentist selects the shade and isolates the tooth from saliva.
2. The enamel is etched and a bonding agent is applied and cured. Anesthetic is used only when decay is removed near the nerve.
3. Composite is layered, sculpted, and cured, about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth.
4. The bonding is shaped to the bite and polished.

After dental bonding

Eat normally the same day. Avoid biting fingernails, pens, or ice, because composite chips under sharp force. Limit coffee, tea, and red wine for the first 48 hours while the surface fully sets, and keep cleanings every 6 months, where the hygienist repolishes the bonding.

Dental bonding vs veneers

Dental bonding differs from veneers by material and lifespan: bonding is composite sculpted in one visit that lasts 3 to 10 years, while a veneer is lab-made porcelain placed in 2 to 3 visits that lasts 10 to 15 years. Choose bonding for one or two small repairs and veneers for a lasting change across several front teeth.

Why choose AAP Dental for dental bonding in Chicago

• Dr. Eduard Vernovsky, DDS treats broken teeth and dental emergencies, so a chipped tooth is often repaired with bonding at the same visit it is examined.
• Dr. Myung Jin Nam, DDS brings prosthodontics training to shade matching and tooth shape.
• Bonding is completed in one visit at the Harlem Avenue office, including Saturdays until 4:00 PM.
• AAP Dental accepts most traditional insurance plans, CareCredit, and flexible payment plans.

Dental bonding near Harlem Avenue: location and hours

AAP Dental Group sits at 5037 N Harlem Ave, Chicago, IL 60656, at the corner of Harlem Avenue and Foster Avenue on the Northwest Side. Patients come from Norwood Park, Harwood Heights, Norridge, Edison Park, and Park Ridge, all within 15 minutes of the office. Weekday hours at AAP Dental run Monday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM, Wednesday 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and Thursday and Friday 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Saturday hours run 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and the office closes on Sunday.

Dental Bonding questions

Dental Bonding patients at AAP Dental Group ask these 5 questions most often, and each answer below is the dentist’s short reply.