Nov 24, 2020
Tooth bonding is an application done to correct minor damages or gaps in teeth. A tooth-colored resin material is applied and hardened with a special light to the tooth to restore it. The resin has a color similar to that of your teeth for a natural-looking appearance.
Why Is Composite Bonding Done?
Composite bonding can be an alternative considered to:
- Repair chipped or cracked teeth
- Improve the look of a discolored tooth
- Protect a sector of the tooth’s root that has been exposed when gums recede
- Modify the shape of a tooth
- Reverse the effects of tooth decay
What Are the Advantages of Composite Bonding?
Dental bonding can make cosmetic improvements to your smile quickly without causing any damage to your tooth. Some of its advantages are:
Speed of completion – It can be done in one office visit taking about 30 to 60 minutes. However, the procedure may take longer if it is more extensive.
Low cost – Tooth bonding is one of the least expensive composite procedures.
Easy preparation – Bonding requires the least amount of enamel removal compared to veneers and crowns. The tooth’s surface only needs to be roughened to help the resin bond with the patient’s tooth.
The procedure is non-invasive: Anesthesia is not essential unless bonding is done to fill a decayed tooth.
The Disadvantages
Staining – The resin does stain with time.
Durability – Bonding materials used in this procedure are not as strong as those of other alternatives such as crowns and veneers, meaning the materials can break off the tooth.
Although this procedure is not permanent, it does not ruin your tooth. The material used may fade away or become chipped after some years, but this does not affect your natural tooth in any way.
What Are the Alternatives to Cosmetic Bonding?
They include:
Veneers – A veneer is usually bonded to the front surface of the tooth. It is made from porcelain and can cover gaps where orthodontic treatment may not be suitable.
Crowns – A crown is usually placed over the entire visible portion of the tooth.
What to Expect
Preparation – Minimal preparation is needed for composite bonding. Anesthesia is often not essential unless when filling decayed cavities. The dentist will use a shade guide to select a composite resin that matches your tooth’s color.
The bonding process – The dentist will roughen your tooth’s enamel and apply a conditioning liquid to help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. The resin used is molded and smoothed to the desired shape. Afterward, it is then hardened with a blue, bright light or laser. Your dentist will then trim and reshape the material before it’s polished to resemble the sheen of the rest of the tooth surface.
Time of completion – The procedure typically takes thirty minutes to one hour. However, if several teeth are to be done, it would require more than one visit. You can return to your normal daily activity immediately after your appointment because most of the bonding procedures do not require anesthesia.
Risks
The composite resin is not as strong as a natural tooth. It is easily susceptible to breaking off completely. If you are about to go for a composite bonding procedure, you may have to quit some habits such as smoking to avoid staining.
Its Lifespan
How long they’ll last will depend on:
- How much bonding was done
- Your oral habits, and
- The care you give your bonded tooth
How Do You Take Care of a Bonded Tooth?
Special care is required to keep your bonded tooth looking natural because bonding is more susceptible to staining and chipping. Here are some caring tips:
- Cut down your consumption of tea, coffee, smoking, red wine, and staining food.
- Avoid biting your nails or chewing hard objects such as pens, pencils, or raw cassavas, which may chip the material.
- See the hygienist regularly to maintain good oral health to keep the material stay clean and unstained.
- Brush your teeth often.
- Visit your dentist if you feel strange when you bite down or notice sharp edges for it to be repaired.
For more information about oral appointments from a cosmetic dentist, make an appointment with a Greeley dentist at Affordable Dental Clinics.
