Tooth Bonding
Dental bonding is one of the simplest & most versatile restorative treatments that we offer. If you have a tooth that is slightly chipped, cracked, or decayed, we can use resin to cover or rebuild the damaged areas.
Bonding functions as a cosmetic treatment to fill gaps, reshape teeth & fix discoloration. In some cases, it is used instead of amalgam fillings or even to protect tooth roots. The material used in bonding is a putty-like plastic composite resin. Once it has been sculpted onto the tooth, it is then hardened. We can easily customize the color of the bonding resin to match the exact color of your tooth enamel for a seamless look.
Our skilled team can help determine if dental bonding is the best way to restore your smile. Call us today to schedule a consultation.
What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is a fairly straightforward process compared to other restorative dental treatments. Tooth bonding can be used to treat teeth discolored from tooth decay, chipped teeth, & gaps between teeth. In most cases, bonding procedures can be completed in a single visit. It doesn’t usually require anesthesia & takes about as long as your usual cleaning appointments.
The dentist will remove some tooth enamel to roughen the surface where the bonding agent will be placed. After applying a liquid to help the resin stay attached, the dentist will shape the bonding material to be both functional & aesthetically pleasing. Once it is placed & molded, the material is solidified with ultraviolet light & then polished. The dentist will check to make sure you can comfortably bite down. If any adjustments are needed, they can smooth down or build up the restoration until you are satisfied.
Limitations of Bonding
Although bonding is an incredibly useful tool for small-scale repair & cosmetic dentistry, it does have limitations.
Composite resin lacks the durability that veneers & crowns have. If you have a majorly damaged tooth or need a longer-lasting solution, bonding may not be your best option. Veneers & crowns are also more resistant to staining than bonding.
While bonding can be used for small gaps, it is not a replacement for orthodontic treatment. Crooked teeth & most bite problems can only be resolved by shifting your teeth with braces or other orthodontic appliances.
Bonded teeth do not respond well to whitening, because getting your teeth whitened after a bonding treatment may create a color mismatch between your original teeth & the bonded tooth. It’s a better idea to have teeth whitening done first so we can use a brighter, whiter resin to match your shiny new smile.
What Are the Risks of Tooth Bonding?
Although tooth bonding is generally accepted as a procedure with few risks, there are a few things to know beforehand. Tooth bonding is not as strong as your natural tooth, resulting in some elevated risk for the bonding to chip or break off. Because of this, it is recommended to limit chewing on ice & hard food items. Additionally, dental bonding may become stained when eating certain foods, so you may experience discoloration if you consume a lot of dark liquids such as coffee & soda or smoke.
Preparing for Tooth Bonding
Dental bonding does not require any more preparation than getting a small dental filling done. No preparation is needed for this procedure but you will need to schedule a consultation with your dentist beforehand to ensure that you are a good candidate for the procedure.
