Dental Bonding
If you have a cracked, chipped, or discolored tooth, a dental bonding procedure can help restore your confidence and improve your smile. It basically involves the application of a tooth-colored composite resin to the damaged teeth.
Your dentist will first roughen the tooth surface, and then use a liquid to enable the bonding agent to adhere to the tooth. Composite resin is then applied over the liquid and hardened using a special light, which helps the material stick firmly to the tooth.
Why Is Dental Bonding Performed?
Dental bonding can be opted for when you have:
| • | Tooth decay |
| • | Cracked or chipped teeth |
| • | Discolored teeth |
| • | Spaces between your teeth |
| • | Short teeth |
| • | De-shaped teeth |
| • | Recessed gums that have exposed a part of the tooth root |
Dental Bonding Procedure
Here are the 3 major steps involved in the dental bonding technique:
Preparation
Not much advanced preparation is required for dental bonding. Anesthesia is generally not needed, unless the bonding is required for decayed teeth, there is a need to drill to alter the tooth shape, or the tooth is chipped close to the nerve. Your dentist will pick a composite resin color to match your natural teeth using a shade guide.
Bonding
Your dentist will first roughen the surface of the affected tooth and then smear a conditioning liquid on it. This allows the material to stick to the tooth effectively. The putty-like resin is molded and smoothed into the shape required. A bright light or laser is then used to harden the resin. As it is being hardened, your dentist will trim, shape, and polish it to resemble the texture of the other teeth.
Completion
The dental bonding process takes around 30-60 minutes per tooth. Due to the limitations of this procedure, dentists usually consider dental bonding a short-term solution for cosmetic problems.
Benefits Of Dental Bonding
Here are some of the major advantages of dental bonding:
| • | Dental bonding can address several flaws, such as chipping, decay, discoloration and gaps. |
| • | Bonding is more affordable than other cosmetic procedures, such as crowns and veneers. |
| • | Dental bonding can be completed in a single sitting as opposed to crowns and veneers, which need more time to be created in a laboratory and at least two visits to the dentist. |
| • | Bonding does not require tooth enamel removal, making it a minimally intrusive procedure. |
How To Care For Bonded Teeth
The durability of dental bonding depends upon the amount of bonding done and your oral habits. It is vital to care for bonded teeth in the same manner as natural teeth.
Resin may get stained, so make sure you do not consume coffee, tea, wine or tobacco too often. It is especially crucial to refrain from staining foods for the first 48 hours following any composite treatment.
During the days following the dental bonding procedure, if you observe sharp edges, an unusual feeling while biting down, or bonding chipping off, consult us immediately. If you are suffering from a decayed or damaged tooth, learn about our office using our FAQs then schedule an appointment and contact Ford Dental Group at (714) 409-6161 today.