Although our teeth are incredibly strong, unfortunately, they are not indestructible. Sometimes they become cracked, chipped, fractured, discoloured and otherwise decayed. If you’re dealing with a tooth or teeth that fit into that criteria, dental bonding can help. In this post, we’ll go over the ins and outs of teeth bonding and how you can get started today.
What Is Teeth Bonding?
During teeth bonding, a tooth-coloured resin material is applied and a special light is used to harden the resin, which “bonds” the material to the tooth to restore or ameliorate your smile.
- Repairing tooth decay.
- Repairing of chipped or cracked teeth.
- Improving the appearance of discoloured teeth.
- Closing gaps between teeth.
- Making teeth appear longer.
- Changing teeth shape.
- Replacing silver fillings for a cosmetic alternative.
- Protecting a part of a tooth’s root that has been exposed as gums recede.
What Happens During Teeth Bonding?
If you’re getting ready for a dental bonding appointment, you may be a bit nervous about what to expect. Here’s the typical process:
- Preparation — There’s not much you’ll need to do to prepare for your teeth bonding procedure. Anaesthesia is usually not necessary during teeth bonding unless it is being done to fill in a decayed tooth, the tooth must be drilled to change its shape or the chip is near a nerve. Before the procedure, your dentist will select a composite resin colour that closely resembles the colour of your other teeth.
- Bonding — Once the dentist chooses the shade of your composite resin, they’ll roughen the surface of the tooth and then apply a conditioning liquid. This is helpful to allow the bonding material to adhere to the tooth. Next, the dentist will apply resin and mould and smooth it into the desired shape. After that, the dentist will use a bright light or laser to harden the resin. Once the material hardens, your dentist will do a bit more trimming and shaping before polishing it to match the sheen of the rest of the tooth.
Caring for Bonded Teeth
Once your teeth have been bonded, there are a few precautions you should take to ensure you can maintain your freshly bonded teeth. This is important because if your bonded teeth are not cared for properly, they can chip. So, it’s crucial to avoid biting your fingernails, chewing on pens, ice and other hard objects — don’t use your bonded teeth to open things!
Other than that, bonded teeth don’t need much special care aside from good oral hygiene practises, such as:
- Brushing your teeth at least two times per day.
- Flossing at least one time per day.
- Rinsing your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash once or twice per day.
- Seeing your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.
- Replacing your toothbrush or head every three months.
- Avoiding too many sweet foods and drinks.
- Avoiding too much coffee and alcohol.
- Cutting down or stopping smoking.
How Long Do Bonded Teeth Last?
The lifespan of bonded teeth depends on a few factors, including how much bonding you had done and your oral habits. Unfortunately, bonded teeth do not have the same strength as natural teeth and some habits can make their lifespan even shorter. For example, if you bite down hard, the bonding material may break off your teeth. Also, people who smoke or drink a lot of dark-coloured food and beverages, like coffee and red wine, will see their bonding material stain much faster and will need a replacement sooner.
In general, you can expect your bonded teeth to last from three to ten years before they need to be touched up or replaced.
Are There Any Risks Associated With Teeth Bonding?
Teeth bonding is a safe and simple outpatient procedure that does not carry any adverse risks.
Unlike veneers, your dentist will not grind down your teeth during bonding. So, if the composite resin gets damaged, you can get it fixed without having to worry about what your tooth will look like. Composite resin also chips and breaks less frequently than crowns and veneers do.
Teeth bonding takes between half an hour to an hour per tooth, making it one of the easiest, fastest and least costly cosmetic dental procedures available. Unlike veneers and crowns, which have to be customised and manufactured in a lab, bonding can typically be done in a quick visit to your dentist’s office — unless several teeth need bonding.
At Boon Dental, we are dental bonding experts. If you’d like to learn more about how dental bonding can help you achieve a better smile or to book an appointment, contact us today.
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