You should consider dental bonding if you want to correct any of your teeth' imperfections or damage. After the procedure, you will enjoy facing your days with the confidence that a bright smile brings. This cosmetic treatment helps you correct any dental aesthetic concerns you might have while preserving your teeth' natural structure better than other dental procedures like dental crowns.
During dental bonding, your dentist will use a tooth-colored composite resin, usually a durable plastic, and apply it to the affected tooth. Your dentist will apply the material to the surface of the affected tooth and harden it using a special light that allows the material to bond with your tooth.
You do not have to worry about taking long to complete the procedure as you can accomplish this within one visit to your dentist. Also, this procedure will be more pocket-friendly than other dental cosmetic procedures. Teeth bonding is painless and takes less time than other dental restorative treatment options. Since it is a non-invasive procedure, it is ideal even for children with broken or chipped teeth.
Reasons for Having Cosmetic Teeth Bonding Procedures Done
Teeth bonding is one way of correcting aesthetic issues regarding your teeth' shape, spacing, and coloring. Your dentist may recommend this procedure to address the following dental issues:
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To repair a cracked or chipped tooth.
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Minimize spaces and gaps between your teeth.
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Conceal tooth discoloration and stains.
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To modify your tooth's shape.
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To repair a damaged or decayed tooth.
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To lengthen your teeth.
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Protect your tooth's root if it has been exposed to gum disease or recession.
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As an alternative to amalgam fillings.
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To correct your bite.
Qualifying for a Dental Bonding Procedure
You will qualify for a dental bonding procedure if you have suffered a minor injury, you are dissatisfied with your tooth appearance, and if your tooth is not severely damaged or decayed. If your tooth is severely decayed, it would be advisable to have a dental implant rather than bonding.
One thing to have at the back of your mind when considering dental bonding is that you should first be satisfied with your teeth's coloring. If your teeth are stained or you wish to whiten them, you should do so before undergoing dental bonding. This is because your dentist will choose a shade similar to your teeth. However, if you decide to whiten your teeth after a dental bonding procedure, the bonded tooth will not whiten, leaving you with mismatched teeth. However, you can still whiten your teeth after bonding, but you will be required to redo your dental bonding to match the new shade of your teeth.
Types of Cosmetic Dental Bonding
There are two types of cosmetic dental bonding, and they include:
Direct Tooth Bonding
This type of tooth bonding involves using a composite resin material that is used directly on the affected tooth. Your dentist will apply the resin material with a unique adhesive to acquire the desired tooth shape. This type of dental bonding is very common and will help you quickly fix a minor tooth decay or chip during a single dental visit.
You will only need to visit your dentist once to have the procedure. This type of dental bonding can have a lifespan of up to eight years, depending on your oral habits and bite.
Indirect Tooth Bonding
This type of dental bonding requires a customized bond made at a laboratory. You will have to visit your dentist twice. During your first visit, your dentist will take the measurements and make restoration of your decayed tooth. Then they will send this mold to the lab, where the lab technicians will make a restoration using composite resin material and then harden it using a specialized heat to harden or cure them.
You will have the restoration bonded to your tooth during your second visit. Indirect tooth bonding will help restore or repair a severely decayed or broken tooth.
Both the indirect and direct dental bonding procedure incorporates the use of a composite resin material.
Teeth Bonding Procedure
When you visit your dentist for a tooth bonding procedure, the first step is to discuss it with your dentist. During this discussion, you will inform your dentist about your dental goals, and they will advise you accordingly.
After your discussion, your dentist will examine your mouth and request dental X-rays. Your dentist will do this to ensure you qualify for the dental procedure. If your dentist realizes that you have gum disease, severe tooth cavities or decay, or other oral health issues, they will ask you to treat them first before having a tooth bonding procedure.
Once your dentist ensures that you can have a cosmetic tooth bonding procedure, they will:
Choose a Resin Shade That Matches with Your Tooth Natural Color
Your dentist will use a shade guide to choose a resin material for your bonding that matches your tooth's natural color.
Roughen Your Teeth In Preparation For The Bonding
Your dentist will roughen the surface or enamel of your tooth by using coarse paper or a fine-grit bur, which will create a thin smear layer on your enamel. The roughening procedure ensures a smooth transition with the bonding.
They will then use some bonding agents to penetrate the smear layer or a mild solution to remove it. After using the mild solution, you will rinse it away immediately. Your dentist may use a plumber's tape on your adjacent teeth to protect them against the acidic solution. Afterward, they will apply a conditioning gel or liquid to help the bonding work.
Apply The Resin Material
Your dentist will then apply the resin material to the roughened tooth. Since the resin has a putty-like consistency, it will mold easily to your tooth, giving it an ideal shape.
There are several bonding agents on the market today to choose from. When choosing a bonding agent, your dentist will consider one that provides speed, reliability, and applicability and matches your tooth's design and shape.
Your dentist will then apply the resin material to your teeth by hand or using a basic mold to help design or craft your tooth's design. One thing to note is that your dentist will have to shape the resin material to replicate your natural teeth. While crafting the shape of your bonded tooth, your dentist will match it with the shape of its corresponding counterpart on the other side of your mouth to ensure it is symmetrical.
To achieve and make the desired design, your dentist must make fine cuts or trims on the resin to develop realistic grooves and contours in the bonded tooth. They can achieve this painlessly and efficiently by using UV rays to harden the resin and trim it to the tooth's desired shape.
Cure the Resin Material
Next, your dentist will use UV rays as a curing light to harden the resin material for about 20 seconds, and this will help the material bond to your tooth's surface. Sometimes, if your tooth requires extensive repair, your dentist might add the resin material several times, which will require several curing sessions. Repairing extensive damage will make it difficult to repair at once, and if your youth is severely damaged, maybe you should consider other dental treatment options.
Additionally, depending on your tooth translucency, your dentist might lay the refined material with different shades to mimic whether it is monochromatic or not.
Polish The Bonded Tooth
Then your dentist will use a brush or wheel to polish the bond and an aluminum oxide glaze to finish the bonding procedure. The entire tooth bonding procedure can take up to 60 minutes to complete.
The Advantages of Dental Bonding
Dental bonding has several advantages compared to other cosmetic dental procedures. Some of these advantages may include:
Least Expensive
Dental bonding is one of the least expensive and most accessible dental procedures.
Convenient and Fast
Unlike other dental procedures like crowns and veneers, which you will need the lab to make specifically for you, you will have to make several appointments before the procedure is completed. On the other hand, dental bonding will be done in a single office visit unless you want the procedure to cover several teeth.
Non-Invasive Dental Treatment
While other cosmetic dental procedures may involve enamel removal or alteration to facilitate them, dental bonding does not require your enamel to be removed.
Application of Local Anesthesia
Dental bonding does not require applying local anesthesia unless you have the procedure done to repair a cavity or a severely damaged tooth.
Versatile
Dental bonding is versatile in that you can use it to cover several cosmetic dental imperfections like cracks, chips, and stains.
The Disadvantages of Cosmetic Dental Bonding
Staining
After having a dental bonding treatment, your teeth will be susceptible to staining, unlike in other dental procedures like crowns. Although the cosmetic resin material is stain resistant, it does not resist well to most stains like porcelain restorations.
Short Life Span
Dental bonding does not have a long lifespan compared to other cosmetic dental procedures. Dental bonding can last for three or ten years before requiring a touch-up or repair, depending on your oral habits, chewing habits, and bites.
Bonding Material Can Break Or Chip Your Tooth
The bonding material used during a bonding procedure could break or chip your tooth, especially if your enamel has been severely damaged or decayed. Additionally, the resin material used in the procedure may chip or break.
Not Strong Enough
The cosmetic resin material used in dental bonding does not leave your teeth as strong as in dental fillings, veneers, or crowns. With dental bonding, the procedure covers and fills your enamel but does not necessarily strengthen your tooth to its original natural strength.
Due to some disadvantages of dental bonding, most dentists view it as a short-term solution for minor cosmetic problems. Also, your dentist may recommend dental bonding if you are having issues with a low bite. Therefore, talking with your dentist before deciding on any cosmetic dental procedure is essential.
Preparing for a Dental Bonding Procedure
After deciding to have a dental bonding treatment, you may be anxious, wondering about the dos and don'ts of such a procedure. In this situation, you do not have to worry as the procedure does not require much preparation. However, you should inform your dentist beforehand if you are under medication.
If you are experiencing anxiety, talk with your dentist and find out if they can give you something before the procedure. Your dentist may use local anesthesia while preparing to repair your severely damaged tooth. Since they will have to start repairing the decayed tooth by cleaning it, they will have to drill and craft its design to the desired shape. Cleaning a decayed tooth, drilling it, and then filing it to the desired shape may be painful and uncomfortable. Also, if the damage or tooth decay is near a nerve, your dentist will have to inject you with local anesthesia to facilitate a smooth process.
After Care For A Bonded Tooth
Dental bonds are susceptible to stains and chipping compared to other dental restorative measures. Therefore, you must avoid habits that may facilitate chipping or breaking the bonding material or tooth. Some of these habits include:
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Chewing on hard substances like ice or pens.
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Biting on your fingernails.
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Use your bonded teeth as a tool. For example, to open the bottle top.
Also, it would be best if you tried to cut down on your coffee, wine, and other dark drinks, which might stain your bonded teeth. If you consume a lot of staining beverages and cigarettes, your bonded teeth will stain quickly, which will call for a replacement sooner than expected.
If you realize that your bonded tooth has a sharp edge or you feel your bite is off, you should contact your dentist immediately. To ensure your bonded tooth has a longer lifespan, you should practice good oral hygiene, like brushing your teeth after every meal and flossing regularly. If you have the habit of grinding your teeth while sleeping, you should consider buying a night guard to help protect your teeth. Also, consider visiting your dentist at least twice a year.
How Long Will Cosmetic Tooth Bonding Last?
The lifespan of a cosmetic dental bond depends primarily on your oral hygiene and how your dentist performed the procedure. You should realize that bonded teeth are not as strong as your natural teeth, and therefore, you should avoid habits that may shorten their lifespan. Typically, a bonded tooth can last up to ten years before needing a replacement if you practice good oral habits.
Expectations After A Dental Bonding Procedure
Dental bonding does not require time to recover. You can resume your daily routine, like driving immediately after leaving the dentist's office. However, if you had local anesthesia during the operation, you should not operate machinery or drive immediately after the procedure. You can ask a friend or a family member to accompany you to your appointment if you know your dentist will put you under local anesthesia.
After your dental bonding treatment, you should practice good oral hygiene to ensure your teeth are bright and have healthy gums. If you are undergoing treatment for oral health issues, continue with your medications.
Since dental bonding has few pre-bonding preparations, its aftercare is almost non-existent. If you experience some sensitivity after the procedure, do not panic, as this will pass in a couple of days. However, if the sensitivity persists for longer, do not hesitate to contact your dentist.
Risks Associated With Dental Bonding
Dental bonding does not involve surgery, which makes it a safe procedure. Your dentist rarely uses local anesthesia for this procedure since it does not require surgery. Lack of surgery or local anesthesia greatly minimizes any risk, although you may experience an allergic reaction to the resin material.
The chances of experiencing an allergic reaction are also rare. Although resin materials do not contain BPA (bisphenol A) derivatives, most resin materials contain substances that may turn into BPA derivatives when they mix or come into contact with saliva. This makes it necessary to rinse away the resin material from your mouth as soon as possible. Most dental experts believe that the benefits you will reap after tooth bonding outweigh the risks associated with the procedure.
Contact an Experienced Dentist Near Me
While your teeth are naturally strong, they can sustain damage. If your teeth are broken or your front teeth are shorter, you should consider a cosmetic dental procedure like teeth bonding. At Tarzana Dental Care, our oral health specialist will examine your mouth and advise you accordingly. Sometimes, all you might require is to have your teeth cleaned, and you are good to go, and sometimes tooth bonding may come in handy. What is vital is to consult with your dentist and develop good oral habits. If you have any concerns regarding your oral well-being, kindly call us at 818-708-3232, and we will address them accordingly. We take pride in taking care of the dental health needs of Tarzana residents.