What is dental bonding?

When is tooth bonding needed?

Composite bonding can be used to correct many common imperfections. It may serve for:

• closing small gaps between the teeth,

• filling cavities (instead of distinctive silver amalgam),

• fixing chipped or fractured teeth,

• protecting exposed roots,

• restoring decayed teeth,

• adjusting color,

• changing the shape or length of a single tooth.

Teeth bonding procedure

Unlike crowns or veneers, which need to be done in a lab, dental bonding can be completed in a single appointment. What’s more, the procedure is painless, so usually, anesthesia is not necessary. The exception is fixing a decayed or chipped tooth, where the inner portions of teeth have been exposed.

Preparation

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The procedure itself doesn’t require much preparation.

If you are considering teeth whitening, be sure to complete it before dental bonding. The shade of the material will be closely matching your natural teeth color, but it cannot be changed afterward. Even if you decide to whiten your smile later, the composite will remain darker. The color-changing procedure has to be finished at least 2 weeks before bonding, so chemical substances won’t interfere with one another.

Have your teeth cleaned by a professional before dental bonding, especially if you’re overdue with regular check-ups.

Bonding

Picture by Authority Dental under CC 2.0 license

First, the dentist will choose the shade that’s closest to your natural teeth color and prepare the composite resin. Next, they will roughen the surface of the tooth and apply a conditioning liquid. This helps the bonding material to stick to the tooth.

The resin is then put on the prepared surface and shaped into the desired form. The material is hardened with ultraviolet light. Don’t worry if something feels off - the dentist can correct the shape even when the resin is dry.

The whole procedure usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes.

How to take care of bonded teeth

You can experience mild sensitivity for a few days after the procedure, but other than that you can go back to normal activities right after the appointment.

The bonding material is resistant, although not as strong as our natural teeth. To avoid chipping, try to not bite your nails, chew on pens or ice cubes. Be careful with hard foods, such as candies. Never use your teeth as a tool to cut or open things - even if all of them are healthy.

Composite resin is prone to stains, so smoking, drinking coffee, tea, soda or red wine are likely to leave their mark.

Teeth bonding pros and cons

Dental bonding is a cheaper and faster alternative to veneers or crowns. It’s also less invasive compared to other restorations: only a minimal amount of enamel is removed, while crowns require significant reduction.

Teeth bonding is the best fit for small-scale repairs and cosmetic corrections (such as fixing mamelons teeth). It’s used mostly in low-pressure bite areas, such as front teeth.

Dental bonding near me

Teeth bonding is a common treatment, but your comfort and satisfaction greatly depend on the skills and expertise of a dentist performing the procedure. What’s more, location plays a big role in defining the final price tag. How to find a local dentist that won’t break your budget?

Authority Dental has an extensive database of dental professionals with great reviews and affordable prices. We can help you find an affordable dental clinic nearby and book an appointment.

Your insurance and preferred form of payment will be taken into consideration to optimize the costs. Financing options are also available. The service is free of charge and available 24/7.