All About Dental Bonding
A cracked, chipped, or stained tooth can quickly and easily be corrected with dental bonding. Learn more about this dental procedure and see if it can help you restore your smile.
Taking a Closer Look at Dental Bonding
Dental bonding, sometimes referred to as just bonding, is a dental procedure that is used both in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. This dental procedure uses a tooth-colored material known as composite resin to change or alter the appearance of a tooth or set of teeth.
When a dentist performs dental bonding, he or she will create a mixture of composite resin that matches the natural color of your teeth. Once the mixture is created, your dentist will take the composite resin and layer it onto the tooth. A special light is then used to bond the composite resin directly to the tooth. After the composite resin has successfully bonded to your tooth, your dentist can then polish, shape, or shave the material so it looks like your natural teeth.
Examples of How Dental Bonding can be Used to Restore Your Smile
Dental bonding is a very common cosmetic dental procedure. However, it can also be used as part of a restorative dental procedure. The following are some examples of how dental bonding is used to help people restore their smile:
- Correct the appearance of a chipped tooth
- Give stained or discolored teeth a whiter, more natural appearance
- Correct cracks in teeth
- Change the shape of a tooth by altering its height or width
- Correct small gaps between teeth
- Make teeth appear straighter by altering their appearance
- Safe treatment method for cavities and tooth decay
- Optional treatment method to help provide protection for a tooth’s root if it is exposed due to gum recession
Why is Dental Bonding So Commonly Used in Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry?
There are a number of reasons why dental bonding is commonly used in both cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Some of the reasons this dental procedure is so common include:
- Cost effective dental procedure – patients can improve their smile without having to spend a lot of money
- Quick results – patients do not have to wait weeks to see results with dental bonding. They are able to see changes in the appearance of their teeth at the end of their dental appointment.
- No need for multiple dental appointments – other cosmetic dental procedures, such as veneers, cannot be done in a single office visit. Dental bonding can be completed in a single office visit.
- Painless dental procedure – applying the composite resin to the tooth is a relatively painless procedure. If the composite resin and dental bonding are being used to fill a cavity there may be some pain and anesthesia may be needed, but for cosmetic procedures there is no pain and no anesthesia needed.
- No preparation required – no advanced prep work is needed in order for dentists to perform a dental bonding procedure
What Happens During the Dental Bonding Process
Dental bonding is a fast, simple process that takes just a few minutes. If you are having multiple teeth bonded, the process may take longer as each tooth will need to be bonded and shaped.
The following is a look at what will happen when your dentist performs dental bonding:
- Use of a shade guide to choose a color – your dentist will use a shade guide to find a color of composite resin that matches the color of your natural teeth
- The surface of your teeth will be roughed up
- Conditioning liquid is applied to the tooth – this helps keep the bonded material adhered to your teeth
- Composite resin is placed onto the tooth and then shaped to look like a natural tooth
- A UV light is used to harden the composite resin into place
- Harden composite resin will be trimmed and shaped
- Composite resin is polished to give it a very natural appearance
Want to see how dental bonding can improve your smile? Call Artistic Touch Dentistry to schedule an appointment with our dentist to discuss dental bonding.