Dental bonding refers to a cosmetic procedure in which a dentist applies a resin material (matching the color of your tooth) and hardens it using a special light. This helps in bonding the resin material to your tooth to enhance your smile. Dental bonding is typically done for repairing a chipped, decayed, discolored, or fractured tooth. It can help make the teeth look longer. A lot of people prefer this over amalgam fillings.

A huge advantage of dental bonding is that it is one of the least expensive and simplest cosmetic dental treatments. It is possible to shape and polish the resin material used in dental bonding so that it matches the remaining teeth. In most cases, dental bonding is utilized for cosmetic reasons. It can also help close spaces that appear in between teeth or for changing the color or shape of teeth.

The Procedure

There is hardly any time or effort needed to prepare for dental bonding. You may not even require anesthesia for the procedure unless the dentist is filling a decayed tooth. The dentist will choose a resin color which closely matches your natural tooth color in order to carry out the bonding procedure. There are basically two types of dental bonding: direct composite bonding and adhesive bonding.

Direct Composite Bonding

In this process, the dentists make use of tooth-colored resin composites (natural-looking or white materials) for filling cavities, closing teeth gaps, repairing cracks or chips, and restoring the worn-out teeth edges. The dentist may also directly apply it to shape the teeth surfaces, which tend to be highly noticeable when the person smiles.

Adhesive Bonding

In contrast to direct composite bonding, adhesive bonding involves the attachment of a restoration to the tooth. The technique is generally utilized for porcelain veneers, inlays, esthetic crowns, and bridges. Once a color is picked by the dentist (to match your natural teeth shade), the tooth surface is roughened with a mild phosphoric acid solution. Immediately after the dentist removes the roughening agent, he applies a fluid bonding agent to your teeth.

Crowns and veneers are customized coverings for the tooth and need to be made in a proper laboratory. Dental bonding, on the other hand, can take place in an office, unless multiple teeth need treatment. In addition to this, in comparison to crowns and veneers, very little tooth enamel is required to be removed in bonding. The administration of anesthesia might not be necessary in dental bonding, unless a cavity filling is being done.

Dental Bonding Aftercare

The good news is that your teeth do not need any special care after a dental bonding procedure. You simply need to follow the basic oral care practices, such as brushing the teeth a minimum of two times each day, flossing, and rinsing with antiseptic mouthwash. Also, don’t forget to visit your dentist to get routine cleanings and check-ups. In order to prevent chipping off of bonded material, avoid poor habits such as chewing pen ends, biting fingernails, chewing on ice and other hard objects, or trying to remove a bottle cap with your bonded teeth.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit experienced cosmetic dentist Dr. Dan Miller for a consultation, where he will be able to tell you more about dental bonding and can answer any questions you may have. To make an appointment for a consultation, contact our office.