Bring out your smile’s unique, natural beauty with fast and non-invasive dental bonding

As a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Joyce Kahng is also a talented “dental artist.” From Orange And Magnolia Dental Studio in Costa Mesa, California, Dr. Kahng works with patients to skillfully bring out the natural beauty of their one-of-a-kind smiles. She offers various options to correct cosmetic imperfections, including dental (teeth) bonding, a fast and conservative alternative to porcelain veneers. 

Bonding “basics”

Bonding refers to placing a tooth-colored dental material over the front surfaces of visible teeth marred by conditions such as chips and small cracks. The composite resin material disguises cosmetic concerns in a natural and attractive manner. Dr. Kahng will work with you to determine if dental bonding is the best option to get or restore your ideal smile. 

Candidates for bonding may also have: 

• Gaps between their teeth
• Other types of misalignment or uneven spacing between teeth
• Signs of wear and tear
• Damaged or discolored front teeth fillings
• Stubborn intrinsic (internal) stains or discoloration

Dr. Kahng may also use her artistic and technical skills to reshape a poorly-contoured tooth with resin. Likewise, quality dental materials may be applied to “resize” a worn or otherwise irregularly-sized tooth. Dr. Kahng will only know if dental bonding is appropriate after reviewing scans and X-rays of your mouth. She conducts a thorough evaluation, partly to ensure that no other issues are at play; for instance, dark discoloration can be symptomatic of dental decay or cavities. Additionally, she spends a lot of time with patients, getting to know their personal goals and their “smile inspiration” (smiles they admire).

The process

Dental bonding is sometimes called “direct veneers” – for good reason. Porcelain veneers, too, are placed on the front surfaces of the front teeth. So, they also cover up chips, excess spaces, and other flaws. However, the process of preparing, fabricating, and placing porcelain veneers differs from dental bonding. Porcelain veneers are also known as “indirect veneers” because they are made in a dental lab and then secured to the tooth. To accommodate the width of the veneer, a minimal amount of natural enamel is removed from the tooth. So the veneer fits on top of the tooth properly. 

With dental bonding, the composite resin material is applied directly to the tooth. Dr. Kahng then expertly shapes this putty-like material. Once the desired result has been achieved, the resin is hardened and secured to the tooth. No natural tooth structure is removed to prepare direct veneers (bonding); the tooth only needs to be conditioned to promote the strongest bond between the enamel and resin. 

Both direct and indirect veneers have advantages and disadvantages, which Dr. Kahng is happy to discuss with you during a consultation. Generally, porcelain veneers are popular due to their ability to resist stains, highly natural appearance, and durability. Dental bonding or direct veneers have many benefits as well, including: 

• A fast process – Can be completed in just one visit.
• Affordable
• Non-invasive
• Tooth-preserving
• No tooth sensitivity (as no enamel is removed)

Call (949) 867-4346 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kahng at Orange And Magnolia Dental Studio in Costa Mesa, CA. You may also request a virtual consultation from the comfort of your home.