Frequently Asked Questions

Is the SmileBond process painful?
SmileBond is so painless that over 90% of our procedures are done without the need for local anesthesia, because bonding is an additive process. In most cases, no pre-grinding or removal of tooth tissue is required. If a tooth is mal-positioned or rotated from “normal”, a portion of the tooth may need to be removed or reduced but usually even minor reduction can be done without local anesthesia. For teeth requiring more extensive work, a small amount of local anesthesia renders the process pain-free.

How much does SmileBond cost?
A SmileBond rule-of-thumb: our procedures will cost roughly half that of comparative traditional porcelain procedures.

Will my health insurance pay for SmileBond?
Dental benefits plans vary widely. Such plans will generally pay for dental work to address decay and/or fractures. So if your teeth being cosmetically restored also have decay and/or fractures, and this can be documented with photos or x-rays, benefits are available. Note that all plans have annual maximums, co-pays and percentage allowables. Your SBS dentist financial coordinator can estimate dental benefits for you. SmileBond is not a benefit payable under medical insurance plans.

How long does the process take? How many visits?
Prior to your SmileBond bonding day, we recommend that you have consultation and records gathering visits with your SmileBond dentist. If necessary, the consult and records visits can be combined. Average SmileBond procedures take 1-2 hours, while more extensive SmileBond procedures take 3-4 hours. Usually a 1 hour follow up visit is recommended, for final polishing and photos.

This sounds too good to be true. May I preview my SmileBond smile before finalizing it?
Yes! You may preview your SmileBond smile prior to permanent placement of the bonding. The molds will simply be placed over your teeth and bonding applied, minus bonding adhesives. The molds will then be removed so you can preview your smile - even take photos! And, changes can still be made to the design if you like. Once you approve the design, the mock-ups will be easily removed from the teeth as you await your SmileBond appointment.

I have TMJ. Does that disqualify me from SmileBond or how can SmileBond help me?
SmileBond is a great corrective tool for TMJ treatments. Your SmileBond dentist has been trained in bite and jaw joint diagnostics and stabilization. Typically, it works like this: after records and x-rays have been obtained (tumors and infections must also be ruled out so sometimes MRI or CT scans are necessary), a special bite splint will be fitted and adjusted over time. Once the jaw joints and muscles are comfortable and adjustments to the bite splint are no longer necessary, SmileBond can be used to harmonize the teeth to the comfortable jaw position. SmileBond has revolutionized TMJ therapies, by providing a cost effective method for tooth restoration, while eliminating the need for excessive grinding adjustments.

I'm very self conscious. I either cover my smile or I don't smile at all, because I'm ashamed of my teeth. How can SmileBond help me specifically?
SmileBond dentists report that among the saddest things they experience are patients who cover their smiles. SmileBond is a great option for these individuals because it creates trust between the patient and dental professional so that immediate cosmetic/esthetic results can be obtained. It is extremely gratifying to enable a person become comfortable smiling again!

"Bad teeth" run in my family. Is SmileBond a permanent solution or is it a "temporary cosmetic fix"?
Interestingly, the causes for "bad teeth" can usually be discovered rather than written off as hereditary. Common causes are: bacterial infections, which cause gum diseases and cavities; abnormal wear, which can be caused by tooth mal-alignment; habits, diet or medications. SmileBond dentists are trained in "primary care" dentistry and will be able to identify and treat causes of "bad teeth" before starting cosmetic treatment.

Regarding "permanence": No restoration is as good as a natural, un-restored tooth, in its original unworn form, of course. The longevity of dental restoratives is affected by many different factors. They are subject to wear and tear just like tooth enamel and may need repairs or replacement eventually. Unlike some temporary, false, cover-up teeth products marketed today, SmileBond restorations are fixed to the teeth by the dentist and are "permanent" in that they cannot be removed by the patient. Compared to porcelain, grinding composites do wear down sooner. However, we expect that to change as scientists improve the properties of bonding resins over time. Porcelain also causes more wear to natural tooth surfaces than bonding. So many factors must be weighed when choosing a restorative.

Is SmileBond a universal solution - will it work for everyone?
SmileBond is a universal option for all persons with natural tooth enamel. If a patient already has crowns in place, those teeth with crowns should have new ones placed if needed for cosmetics or function. It is common that some SmileBond cases will include bonding and porcelain, which is referred to as a combination case.

Who are Dr. Bill and Dr. Barb Vuillemot? / Who are the SmileBond certified dentists?
Drs. Bill and Barb Vuillemot graduated from the University of Michigan Dental School in 1985 and have been practicing in the Lansing Michigan area since. They opened Trillium Dental in 1993 and moved to their Lake Lansing Rd location in 1996. Trillium Dental promotes dental education, prevention, and restoration with a unique blend of innovation, and tried and true techniques. They are members in good standing with the American Dental Association (ADA) and the MI Dental Association (MDA), and pursue extensive continuing education.

Drs. Barb and Bill are the inventors of SmileBond Systems and are the only dentists in the Mid-Michigan area certified to perform SmileBond restorations. Their goal is to teach other dentists to perform SmileBond procedures and to confirm them as SmileBond certified dentists. SmileBond Systems dentists are trained in: 1) assessment and diagnosis, 2) jaw stabilization and case work-up, and 3) mastery of SmileBond procedures and methodology. SmileBond dentists will have access to ongoing training programs and updates, and be uniquely positioned to take advantage of improvements in bonding materials.

Is this a brand new procedure or have you (SmileBond dentists) had a lot of experience with this? I don't want to be a guinea pig. It would be terrible if my teeth got even worse after a procedure.
Dental bonding materials have been successfully used in dentistry for decades. The SmileBond System is a brand new way to use existing dental materials, in a way that is more accurate and efficient. In 2001, we offered the procedure to several of our patients on a trial basis, so they were our original "guinea pigs"! Happily, the process has been a great success, and those patients are still with our practice helping us promote SmileBond.

Drs. William and Barbara Vuillemot have pioneered the SmileBond System procedures and have treated dozens of clients. Prospective patients are invited to view before and after photos, read testimonials, and tour our office smile gallery. In some cases, arrangements can be made for interested people to speak with a SmileBond patient about their experience.

For your teeth to turn out "worse" would be a rare event indeed. Remember, bonding procedures are relatively non-invasive, so changes and adjustments can be made easily to bonded restorations, in order to achieve a satisfactory result. Also, a "mock-up" allows you to clearly see the intended result prior to starting.

Why is it important to me that SmileBond is a patented process?
The patent is important to you because it shows that extensive study, research and clinical trials were achieved, resulting in SmileBond Systems being recognized by the US government as being uniquely different than standard dental school procedures. Thus SmileBond Systems provide real alternatives for many people seeking help for functional and cosmetic dental problems. The patent provides a trusted format for expanding a business model to allow the public access to a network of trained professionals.

How long does SmileBond last?
See SBS Blog for a discussion of longevity and cost.

Would orthodontics work just as well as SmileBond?
If the teeth are the desired color and if there is no chipping, wear, or fractures, and if improvements to crowding or rotation are all that is needed, then orthodontics alone could probably suffice.  Orthodontics can level and align the teeth over the arches, but cannot address color or damaged tooth structures.  SmileBond treatments sometimes start with an orthodontics phase and finish with SmileBond for color and tooth form.