What Is Dental Bonding?
Composite resin is used in dental bonding to repair and reshape teeth. It can fix chips, cracks, and breaks, restoring teeth to a natural, smooth appearance. With proper care, the results can be long-lasting. It’s also a cosmetic solution to enhance the shape, colour, and gaps between teeth, offering an alternative to veneers or braces.
What Distinguishes Dental Bonding from Other Options?
There are several treatment options available for improving your teeth or achieving your ideal smile.
The right choice depends on your individual needs and goals. During your consultation, we’ll walk you through all the options, outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Here are some benefits of dental bonding to consider:
Quick and painless
In contrast to treatments like fillings or dental veneers, which often involve drilling and preparation of the tooth, dental bonding usually requires little to no removal of natural tooth structure. As a result, the procedure is typically fast, comfortable, and involves minimal to no discomfort.
Low upfront cost
Dental veneers and orthodontics can be expensive due to their customized and detailed nature. In contrast, dental bonding is a more budget-friendly solution for addressing small adjustments to a few teeth.
Great for small repairs
For those seeking more extensive changes to their smile, a more comprehensive treatment plan with dental veneers, crowns, or orthodontics may be more appropriate. However, for minor repairs, dental bonding offers a simple and convenient solution.
The Dental Bonding Process
Whether you are opting for dental bonding for restorative reasons or purely for cosmetic enhancement, the process follows the same general steps.
Here’s what you can expect during your dental bonding appointment:
Preparing the Tooth
First, a thin plastic film (a dental matrix) is placed between your teeth to protect the adjacent ones from any preparation gel or composite resin. Your tooth is then thoroughly cleaned and dried, and a mild acidic gel is applied for a short time. This gel roughens the surface of the tooth, promoting a better bond.
Applying the composite resin
The dentist applies layers of composite resin that match the colour of your teeth. Each layer is hardened using a blue light to ensure strength and durability. The resin is carefully shaped and sculpted to create a seamless, natural-looking finish.
Finishing touches
After a bite check, your dental bonding procedure is complete. The dentist will give your tooth a final polish, ensuring it blends in naturally with the rest of your teeth. The repaired tooth will be almost indistinguishable from the others. A note will be made in your chart, and during future check-ups, the dentist will pay particular attention to the bonded tooth to monitor its condition and address any potential wear or damage.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
This cosmetic procedure involves applying composite resin to repair teeth that are chipped, cracked, or discoloured. It can also help close gaps between teeth and improve their shape.
No, the procedure is usually painless. If necessary, the dentist will apply local anaesthesia to ensure your comfort. Most patients feel little to no discomfort during or after the bonding process.
The duration of dental bonding can vary based on factors like oral hygiene, dietary habits, and the placement of the bonding. With proper care, bonding can typically last anywhere from 5 to 10 years before it may need to be touched up or replaced.
No special care is needed beyond maintaining good oral hygiene. Regular brushing, flossing, and routine dental check-ups are key to ensuring the bonding material lasts as long as possible.
In specific circumstances, insurance may cover dental bonding, especially when it serves a restorative function. However, as coverage varies across plans, it’s important to consult your provider to confirm the details of your coverage for dental bonding procedures.
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