Bonding

Understanding Dental Bonding and Whether You Are an Excellent Candidate for the Treatment

Also known as teeth or composite bonding, dental bonding is a simple and pain-free cosmetic procedure your dentist can complete with just one dental visit. Generally, the procedure involves the application of tooth-colored resin material on your teeth to repair them or enhance their appearance for an improved smile.

Aside from helping improve your smile, dental bonding can also strengthen your tooth if you have cavities to prevent pain and sensitivity issues when chewing your favorite foods. Generally speaking, you would be an excellent candidate for this cosmetic dental procedure if:

You Have Discolored Teeth

If you are ashamed of showing your smile to your friends due to a discolored tooth, you could be an excellent candidate for dental bonding. Dental bonding can help camouflage teeth discoloration to improve your smile appearance.

You Have Chipped Tooth

While your teeth enamel is highly mineralized and strong, it can chip when biting hard foods, like nuts, or facial trauma caused by a sporting injury or auto accident. When that happens, your dentist will likely recommend bonding to restore your teeth’ shape and size for an esthetically appealing smile.

You Have Gapped Teeth

While sometimes the gap in the teeth could be hereditary, other times it could be due to tooth loss. Dental bonding can help fix the issue of a brighter smile if you have minor gaps or spaces between your teeth.

You Have a Tooth That Appears Shorter Than Others

If you have teeth with non uniform length, dental bonding can make them uniform for the well-aligned and bright smile you deserve.

You Have Irregularly Shaped Tooth

Irregularly shaped teeth can significantly impact your smile’s appearance. If you have one or more irregularly shaped teeth, dental bonding could help restore their ideal shape to give you an attractive smile.

How to Prepare for a Dental Bonding Procedure

Before your dental bonding appointment, your dentist will sit down with you and discuss your dental cosmetic goals. If you have any questions about the procedure, this would be the ideal time to ask the dentist to know what to expect. Since it is a simple and non-painful procedure, anesthesia will not be necessary to numb the skin around the affected tooth unless you have a cavity.

Your dentist could require an X-ray of your gums and teeth to ensure you are eligible for this procedure. If you have periodontitis, severe tooth decay, or other severe oral health issues, you must treat them before the dental bonding procedure.

While the dental bonding material can cover the discoloration caused by the decay, when left untreated, this issue could cause severe infection and, eventually, tooth loss.

What to Expect During Your Dental Bonding Treatment

During the dental bonding procedure, your cosmetic dentist will do the following:

Select the Appropriate Shade

Since teeth whiteness has different shades, your dentist will begin the procedure by selecting a composite resin material that matches your natural teeth appearance using a shade guide.

Prepare the Affected Tooth

During this step, the dentist will apply a conditioning liquid to the surface of your tooth to make it rough. Doing that helps the bonding material adhere to the tooth.

Apply the Tooth-Colored Composite Resin on the Tooth

Once your tooth is rough and etched, the dentist will apply the bonding material, which he/she will mold and carefully form to look like your other undamaged, healthy teeth.

Cure the Bonding Material to Harden it

The dentist completes the procedure and restores your smile by hardening the bonding material with a laser or specialized UV light.

Polish the Bonding Material

To finalize the process and give you that dazzling and natural-looking smile you deserve, your dentist will make any necessary adjustments to the tooth’s shape and size and then polish it.

Generally, depending on the extent of the damage, this entire procedure will take thirty to sixty minutes per affected tooth to complete. That means the procedure will typically take longer when several teeth require bonding. The time it will take to complete this procedure will also depend on the dentist’s efficiency and experience.

That is why retaining the services of a qualified and experienced dentist is advisable whenever you need a smile makeover or any dental health services. While it depends on the patient, you could experience temporary discomfort after this procedure, which you can ease with over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers like ibuprofen.

How to Care for Your Bonded Tooth

Since the bonded material does not have the same strength as your natural teeth, some habits could reduce their lifespan. Generally, the dental bonding material could last three to seven years, depending on your oral hygiene. Below are tips that can help increase the lifespan of your bonded teeth:

• Maintain an excellent oral routine, including brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice daily
• Avoid or reduce sugary and starchy foods because they increase the plaque-causing bacteria in your mouth
• Avoid drinking beverages that stain and discolor your teeth, including red wine and coffee
• Avoid smoking or using tobacco products because they can stain your teeth, including the bonded teeth
• Avoid biting or chewing crunchy and hard foods, like nuts, because they can weaken the bonding material with time, causing it to break
• Avoid acidic foods like oranges and lemons because they contain acid, which can erode your teeth
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to maintain the composite resin
• Schedule routine dental visits with your dentist for routine cleanings and check-ups
• Use antibacterial mouthwash at least once daily to rinse your mouth

When you notice any sharp edges on the bonded tooth or accidentally break the bonding material, you should consult your dentist immediately for a check-up and treatment.

Benefits of Dental Bonding

Cosmetic dental bonding has several benefits you cannot overlook if you need a smile makeover. For example, this procedure is:

Straightforward and Non-invasive

Tooth bonding is less invasive and more straightforward than most cosmetic dental procedures, like veneers and crowns. It will take the dentist approximately one hour to apply the bonding material to each affected tooth.

Helpful in Retaining Your Tooth’s Structure

Unlike most restorative dental procedures, dental bonding does not necessarily require the removal of your tooth enamel, meaning your tooth integrity and structure are maintained.

Pain-free

Dental bonding is pain-free unless your tooth requires drilling or you have an exposed nerve, meaning anesthesia will be unnecessary during the procedure.

Fast and Convenient

Unlike other cosmetic dental procedures like crowns and veneers, dental bonding is a fast and convenient cosmetic dental procedure because it requires a few steps and a single dental appointment.

Toxic-free

Since the composite resin material your dentist will use during the dental bonding procedure is 100% biocompatible, you do not have to worry about it leaking dangerous chemical components into your mouth.

Versatile

The dental bonding procedure can help cover several teeth imperfections affecting your smile appearance, including discolorations, stains, and chips.

Long-Lasting

The composite resin material your dentist uses during this procedure could last several years, depending on your general oral hygiene habits and the specific location of the bonded teeth on your mouth.

Cost-friendly

Although other cosmetic dental procedures like veneers could transform your smile, not everyone can afford the cost of these services. Fortunately, dental bonding could be an ideal alternative for this procedure because most dentists will charge you a small portion of the total veneer procedure cost.

In addition to all these benefits, dental bonding is a procedure you should consider if you want to improve the appearance of your teeth because it gives you a natural-looking smile.

Dental Bonding Potential Side Effects and Risks

Being curious about what to anticipate during and after dental bonding is normal and natural. Knowing what to anticipate after the procedure and the possible side effects you could experience can make you less anxious about the treatment. To that end, here are the possible risks and side effects associated with tooth bonding, respectively:

Dental Bonding Risks

The dental bonding procedure is commonly associated with the following risks:

1. Infection

Before your dentist commences the tooth bonding process, he/she must check whether the tooth is infected and thoroughly clean it to remove any debris or decay. If your tooth is infected or decayed, treating this issue should be a priority before the dental bonding procedure.

When the dentist fails to treat an abscess or infection, it will continue eating the tooth away, necessitating extensive dental procedures, like root canal therapy or tooth extraction.

2. You Could Experience an Allergic Reaction

While it does not occur in every patient, the roughening liquid and the dentist’s equipment during your dental bonding procedure could cause an allergic reaction.

3. Discoloration of the Bonding

The composite resin your dentist will use during the dental bonding procedure is more susceptible to discoloration than natural teeth. That is particularly true if you often drink coffee, red wine, or smoke tobacco-related products. To maintain the bright color of your bonded teeth, you should avoid or reduce your intake of these drinks and avoid smoking.

Another reason to reduce or avoid these staining beverages is that the resin used during the dental bonding procedure resists teeth whitening or bleaching agents. That means whitening a bonded tooth once discolored is challenging, affecting your smile appearance.

4. Wearing Down of the Composite Resin

It is natural and unavoidable for the composite resin used during the dental bonding procedure to wear down with time. However, proper oral hygiene can help reduce the wearing down of the composite resin, increasing the lifespan of your bonded tooth.

Dental Bonding Side Effects

The dental bonding procedure has few side effects, all thanks to modern technology and the non-invasive nature of the treatment. However, if your dentist had to remove some parts of your enamel before the procedure, you could experience some mild tooth sensitivity and discomfort when biting or chewing food. Thankfully, you can reduce the sensitivity and discomfort by taking over-the-counter medications.

Comparing Dental Bonding With Other Dental Restoration Procedures

In addition to being a cosmetic procedure, dental bonding can help restore your teeth. Below is a comparison between various dental restoration procedures and dental bonding:

Dental Bonding Versus Veneers

Dental bonding is an excellent treatment option if you have slight damage or imperfections in your teeth. Compared to veneers, dental bonding is also less invasive and cheaper. Your dentist only needs you to schedule one appointment to complete the procedure.

On the other hand, veneers are a thin layer of shell (composite or porcelain-made) that your dentist places on the front surface of your teeth to improve their appearance. You will be an excellent candidate for this cosmetic dental procedure if you have a chipped, discolored, or stained tooth or set of teeth.

In addition to being invasive, placing veneers on your teeth requires the removal of larger portions of your tooth enamel.

Generally, the main distinction between these two procedures is the area of the tooth that requires repair. Bonding is all you need if the area that requires repair is minor. However, if the area requiring repair is large, your dentist will likely recommend dental crowns, but it is an expensive treatment compared to dental bonding.

Ensure you consult a seasoned cosmetic dentist to know the best treatment for your unique dental condition.

Dental Veneers Versus Dental Filling

A dental filling is an excellent treatment for patients with cavities. However, dental bonding is ideal for people with minor tooth discoloration and chips to help improve their smile appearance. However, the composite resin material a dentist uses during a dental bonding procedure can be suitable for filling a tooth with a cavity.

The specific cosmetic dental procedure your dentist will recommend if you need a smile makeover will depend on your unique dental condition.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bonding

Whether you are curious about dental bonding or think you could be an excellent candidate for this procedure, you probably have several questions. Below are some of the common questions people ask about dental bonding:

1. What is the Cost of Dental Bonding?

How much you will pay for a dental bonding procedure will depend on various factors, including:

• The number of teeth that require repair
• The extent of your tooth damage
• The dentist experience

The dental bonding procedure could cost you between $90 and $450 if you have a cavity. Fortunately, if you have insurance, it can cover the partial or complete expense of the treatment, depending on your policy. However, it is worth noting that most insurance providers do not cover cosmetic dental procedures unless the procedure addresses underlying tooth health issues, like a cavity or sensitivity.

Ensure you consult with your dentist beforehand to know whether your insurance policy will cover the dental bonding procedure to make the necessary financial arrangements for the procedure.

2. How Long Does Dental Bonding Last?

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, how long a dental bonding will last will depend on how you care for it and your oral hygiene practices. However, the bonded tooth generally lasts between three and ten years.

3. Is Dental Bonding Permanent?

No. Since the dentist does not have to remove your tooth enamel during the dental bonding procedure, he/she can reverse the treatment whenever you want.

4. Is Bonding a Safe Cosmetic Treatment for My Teeth?

Yes. Generally, dental bonding does pose any oral and general body health risks. As long as you have healthy teeth and gums, dental bonding is an excellent way to improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile.

5. When Should I Consult a Cosmetic Dentist?

If you have discolorations, stains, chips, or any other concern that affects your smile appearance, scheduling an appointment with a dentist could help. Talking with your dentist about your cosmetic goals can help him/her personalize a treatment plan for your unique dental condition.

Also, if you recently had a dental bonding treatment, you should call your dentist as soon as possible when you detect sharp edges on the bonding or your bite feels off.

Find a Calabasas Dentist Near Me

Cosmetic dental imperfections, like discolorations, gaps, and chips, can affect your smile’s appearance and confidence. However, you do not have to live with them for the rest of your life. A reliable dentist can fix these imperfections through dental bonding to improve your smile’s appearance.