You may have one or more dental issues such as discolored teeth, decayed teeth or teeth that are irregularly shaped, chipped or with spaces between them. Dental bonding could be one of the solutions to help you get your new and improved teeth, helping you smile ear to ear.
Dental Bonding
WHAT IS DENTAL BONDING?
Dental bonding is a procedure where your dentist coats your teeth with a tooth colored resin material to bond with the surface of the teeth using a special light to harden the material. This repairs the discolored, chipped, decayed teeth resulting in healthier teeth.
WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSIDER DENTAL BONDING?
You can consider dental bonding for any of the following:
- Repair decayed tooth by using composite resins to fill cavities
- Repair chipped, broken or cracked teeth
- Enhance appearance of discolored teeth
- Fill in the spaces between the teeth
- Make teeth appear longer or change its shape
- Cosmetic substitute to amalgam fillings
DENTAL BONDING PROCEDURE
Preparation: There is not a lot of preparation that needs to be done. Anesthesia may not be necessary except in cases involving the filling, drilling of teeth or addressing something close to a nerve. Your dentist will pick the shade of the composite resin to match your teeth color.
Bonding: The tooth surface is etched and roughened before applying a conditioning liquid. This helps the material to form a strong bond with the tooth. The tooth colored resin is applied, shaped and molded as per the requirement. A special curing light is used to allow the material to harden. Once the material is hard, it is further trimmed, shaped and polished to match well with the rest of your teeth.
The whole process takes anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes per tooth.
ADVANTAGES OF DENTAL BONDING
The procedure is simple, easy and cost effective. This doesn’t need custom tooth covering made unlike veneers and crowns, so the procedure can usually be done in one visit. Also, very little of the enamel is removed in this process. Anesthesia is typically not required unless it involves cavity filling.
The material used does not resist stain as well as veneers or crowns. It does not last as long and can chip and break.
Dental bonding is a great option for small cosmetic changes or temporary correction of defects. It could be used in areas where there is low pressure from bites like the front teeth.
Consult our dentists at the San Anselmo Family Dentistry for the best approach to fix your teeth problems.
HOW DO I CARE FOR MY TEETH AFTER DENTAL BONDING?
There is no special care required after the procedure. Follow good oral practices as always, brush twice a day and floss once a day. To protect the material from chipping, avoid biting on hard objects or anything that puts pressure on your teeth. Schedule check-ups with your dentist on a regular basis to maintain your oral health. Depending on your oral habits, dental bonding can last between 3 to 10 years after which it needs to be redone.
Contact us at San Anselmo Family Dentistry for your dental bonding needs. Your oral health is important to us. We have successfully completed many dental bonding procedures and sent home, happy, smiling patients. Set up an appointment or call us to know more about the options you may have. We will be happy to answer all your questions so you can make an informed decision.