Dental bonding is a type of cosmetic dentistry that is affordable and offers great results when your smile is less-than-perfect. If you are looking to correct minor dental imperfections, cosmetic dental bonding may be a good choice for you.

What is dental bonding?

Dental bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that fixes imperfections in teeth. Your dentist applies a tooth-colored composite resin to the affected tooth. They shape and polish the resin, then apply a special light that hardens the material and bonds it to the tooth.

Teeth bonding is a great option to correct the following minor dental issues:

When you decide that dental bonding is the best option for you, your dentist will select the composite resin that most closely matches your natural teeth. With the exception of work on cavities or in areas where decay is present and teeth are sensitive, anesthesia is generally not needed.

The surface of the targeted tooth is roughed up and prepared with a conditioning substance that helps the composite resin adhere better. Once the composite resin is applied and shaped to the desired affect, a bright light is applied to help it harden and bond.

From start to finish, cosmetic dental bonding takes between 30 and 60 minutes per tooth. Gaps may take a bit longer, but most teeth will take less than an hour.

What are teeth bonding pros and cons?

Dental bonding comes with many advantages (and a few disadvantages when compared to other cosmetic procedures).

Advantages of dental bonding

In addition to not requiring anesthesia, a plus for patients who are scared of needles, it has a variety of advantages over other cosmetic procedures.

  • Affordable: Dental bonding cost is one of the most affordable treatments. In addition, many insurance plans cover it if it is related to a tooth’s structure. Other treatment options can be far more expensive.
  • Quick: Most teeth bonding procedures can be done in one visit in under an hour. For busy people, this can be reason enough to choose dental bonding.
  • Less invasive: To prepare the tooth, very little of the tooth’s enamel needs to be removed. This protects the natural tooth and makes it a less permanent solution. Crowns and veneers move enough of your natural tooth that it must then remain covered forever.

Disadvantages of dental bonding

Especially when compared with veneers, it has a few disadvantages that are worth considering.

  • They may not resist stains as well: Although the material used in tooth bonding resists stains, it is not quite as resistant as porcelain or ceramic, two common veneer and crown materials.
  • They may chip or crack: Composite resin does not have the same strength as other materials for veneers or crowns. This can cause them to be a bit more fragile than other cosmetic options.
  • They are not as natural-looking: Composite resin can be expertly color-matched to surrounding teeth, but because the material is not translucent it won’t look quite as natural as veneers or crowns. Light does not reflect off composite resin as much as veneers. This reflection is what gives other cosmetic options their natural appearance.

Most dentists recommend dental bonding for areas of the mouth that will not have much biting force applied (e.g., front teeth). It’s best suited for correction of cosmetic defects and minor bite imperfections, especially when time and budget are issues.

How long does tooth bonding last?

Tooth bonding is considered a temporary fix. Due to the material and the manner in which it is affixed to the tooth, you can expect your work to last between three and ten years before needing to be replaced or repaired.

So how do you reach the upper limits of that range? Here are four ways you can extend the life of your dental bonding.

1. Practice good dental hygiene

Brush and floss daily, and make sure to visit your dentist twice yearly. They can check on your dental bonding and make sure all is well.

2. Avoid hard foods

Crunching into a hard pretzel or routinely biting down on hard candy can shorten the life of your cosmetic dental bonding by years.

You don’t have to live a life filled with soft foods. Just be careful of your dental work when you choose a crunchy snack.

3. Fix bad habits

Biting your nails, chewing on pens and ice, and opening cans or bottles with your teeth: these spell disaster for teeth bonding.

Take this as an opportunity to change these bad dental habits!

4. Avoid coffee, tea, wine, and cigarettes

Especially in the first 48 hours, composite resin is susceptible to staining. Avoiding the above allows the resin to harden and become more stain resistant.

In general, dental bonding is fairly sturdy and doesn’t require much special care. Proper dental hygiene and mindful attention to how you use your teeth should be enough to help them last a good amount of time.

Does tooth bonding hurt?

One of the main reasons people choose this procedure to fix cosmetic imperfections or improve their bite is that the procedure is generally pain-free, even without anesthetic. For people who avoid the dentist due to fear of needles or shots, this can be a huge benefit.

Plus, getting dental bonding for a cosmetic problem can help stave off more serious problems. Minor cracks in teeth, left untreated, can allow bacteria to get inside the tooth or underneath the gumline. This bacteria can quickly lead to recurrent caries or even tooth abscess.

AZ Dentist is a Phoenix area cosmetic dentist that can help you understand all of your options when it comes to tooth bonding vs. veneers or crowns. Call us today for more information!

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