Cosmetic Tooth Bonding

What is Dental Bonding used for?

Dental bonding can be used for:

• Patching and reshaping cracked, chipped, or worn-down teeth.
• Filling small gaps between teeth.
• Shaping your natural teeth to enhance symmetry.
• Covering discolored teeth.
• Repairing and reshaping teeth after cavity fillings.
• Protecting exposed tooth roots. 

Am I a good candidate for dental bonding? 

We recommend dental tooth bonding for minor cosmetic issues like the ones listed above. However, eligibility for dental bonding may be restricted under certain conditions, such as: 

• Extensive damage
• Severe tooth decay 
• Gum disease

Additionally, if a patient exhibits significant teeth grinding, this could cause premature wear and breakage of the bonding material. In these cases, we will assess your condition and may recommend a different treatment that is more suitable for your needs.

Steps Involved in Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a straightforward procedure that often only takes 30-60 minutes per tooth. The routine procedure consists of: 

• An examination and thorough cleaning of the area. 
• Color analysis to ensure the resin matches your natural enamel. 
• Prepping the tooth with an etching liquid for improved adhesion. 
• Coating the tooth with dental glue in preparation for the resin. 
• The color-matched resin is applied to the tooth.
• The resin is solidified using ultraviolet light, then trimmed, shaped, and polished until you are satisfied with the final look. 

This non-invasive and timely procedure leaves you with natural-looking and immediate results in under an hour. You can, for the most part, resume eating and drinking normally after your procedure. However, we do recommend that you be mindful of the bonded teeth – we will provide you with postoperative instructions and aftercare. 

Pros And Cons Of Dental Bonding

Pros of Dental Bonding: 

Affordability:

Dental bonding is often much cheaper in comparison to other dental cosmetic procedures such as Veneers.

Quick and Pain-Free Procedure:

Dental bonding is a non-invasive procedure that often takes 30-60 minutes per tooth. There is no need to use anesthesia, and dental bonding requires zero downtime post-procedure. 

Preserves Tooth Enamel:

Unlike other cosmetic dental procedures like veneers, dental bonding does not remove your tooth’s enamel. The only preparation before a dental bonding procedure is a thorough cleaning of the area to remove any food. 

Cons of Dental Bonding: 

Staining:

If you do not take proper care of your bonded tooth, it could stain and hinder the aesthetic of your smile. Ensure you brush and floss regularly to maximize the bonded teeth’s longevity. 

Less Durability:

Dental bonds use composite resin, which is not as durable as veneers and crowns. We recommend you try to avoid crunching and grinding on hard food as this could wear down the material. 

Post Operative Instructions and Aftercare

You should care for your bonded teeth the same way you do for all surrounding teeth, with proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. 

• Continue proper hygiene; floss and brush your teeth daily. Especially after consuming sugary or acidic foods or beverages.
• To ensure the longevity of your bonded teeth, try to avoid crunching or grinding on solid foods. 
• 24-48 hours after your treatment avoid things that may stain your teeth like coffee, tea, and cigarettes.

Additional Information: 

• Contact our office immediately should you for some reason experience symptoms such as fever, persistent pain, heightened gum swelling, allergic reaction, or an irregular bite. 
• If pain persists, we can prescribe pain relief medications to alleviate discomfort and pain. It is important to start prescribed antibiotics immediately and finish as instructed. Do not consume any alcohol while taking medications.