Five Facts About Dental Bonding to Note Before Getting the Procedure
What is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is a type of tooth-colored material that is bonded to the surface of the teeth. The material can be anything from composite to porcelain, but the composite is most commonly used for this treatment.
Dental bonding in Wilkes-Barre, PA, can be used to cover up dental imperfections like chips, cracks, and gaps in between your teeth. It can also be used as a replacement for missing dental structures like fillings or crowns.
Dental Bonding Vs. Veneers; How Do They Differ?
Dental bonding is a tooth restoration procedure used to fill in the gaps and repair worn-down teeth using composite resin.
Veneers are thin pieces of custom-made porcelain made by a dental lab tech or dentist for each patient. They can cover up unevenness, chips, stains, gingival recession, and other cosmetic dental problems on both the top and bottom fronts of your teeth.
Composite bonding is a common and affordable cosmetic procedure, and here are a few facts about it.
1. Dental bonding fixes a range of problems
Dental bonding is an adhesive material applied over the tooth’s surface to make the tooth appear more natural.
Dental bonding is used in several different situations, including:
- Cover up small chips in teeth
- Close gaps between teeth or correct indentations on teeth that are too large for fillings
- Cover up discoloration or stains on teeth that cannot be removed with a cleaning or whitening treatment
2. The dental bonding procedure is non-invasive and affordable
A dental bonding procedure is the process of applying dental adhesives to the tooth surface.
The dental bonding procedure starts with an examination, during which the dentist evaluates the condition of your teeth and looks for indications that a dental restoration is necessary.
Anesthesia is rarely used unless you have decay present or the cracks and chips are near the nerve.
The dentist will apply a conditioning liquid on the teeth to roughen the enamel. The tooth bonding material is then applied and molded to fit the shape of the teeth. The teeth are smoothed to the ideal shape and hardened with a bright light. The dentist will trim the excess material and polish the teeth to achieve a uniform sheen.
3. Dental bonding is reversible
Unlike the veneers, composite bonding does not require the trimming of the enamel. This means if you want to change the treatment, you can remove the resin material and apply a different treatment.
4. Resin bonding is, however, not as durable
While the resin material is affordable and easy to apply, it is not as durable as the veneers or crowns. The bonded teeth can crack, chip, and discolor, depending on your dental hygiene practices. Because of these limitations, dentists use bonding as a short-term dental procedure to correct minor problems.
5. Aftercare is important
How well you care for the bonded will determine how long it will last.
Avoid using your teeth as tools to open bottles or bite hard objects
- Limit your consumption of staining foods and beverages that can cause the bonded teeth to discolor
- Maintain proper dental hygiene to prevent decay and cavities
- Visit the dentist regularly for assessment of the composite bonding
What are the Advantages of Dental Bonding?
The advantages of dental bonding include:
- It is a cost-effective solution for people who don’t want to spend a lot of money on cosmetic dentistry.
- It’s also the least invasive way to correct gaps in your smile or fillings.
- As it doesn’t involve any drilling, it won’t require you to numb the area with local anesthesia. It can be done in just one visit and will take about an hour for treatment completion.
What are the Drawbacks of Dental Bonding?
The primary drawback of bonding is that it might not last as long. Furthermore, it can chip, crack and discolor. Dental bonding treatments are, however, relatively inexpensive and do not require any anesthesia.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit NEPA Dental Group for more information about dental bonding and what you can expect during and after the procedure.