Dental Bonding 101: Is It Necessary and What Can You Expect?

While our teeth are strong and can last for a lifetime, they can chip and crack. The chipping and cracking of the teeth are not only caused by a direct blow to the teeth. They can chip if you bite a hard object like a glass bottle. It is also easier to chip your teeth if you suffer from bruxism or the grinding of the teeth, have decay, and are overly exposed to large amounts of acid that can eat away the enamel.

Getting dental bonding near you can help repair and correct chipped teeth and prevent them from damage.

What is Tooth Bonding?

Dental bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that involves the application of a tooth-colored resin material on the teeth and hardened to repair cracked, chipped, and broken teeth.

When Is Dental Bonding Recommended?

Dental bonding is mostly recommended for teeth with minor injuries and not severely decayed. If you have severe decay, the dentist may opt for other treatments instead of dental bonding.

Besides minor decay, our dentist in 94806 may recommend teeth bonding if you have discoloration and are not happy with the color of your teeth. Teeth whitening can bleach your teeth, but if you have severe discoloration, teeth bonding may be more ideal.

You can bond your teeth to cover the minor gaps between them.

Teeth Bonding Vs Veneers

Both veneers and bonding address almost the same dental problems. However, the decision to use either of them will depend on the severity of the problem. If you have mild cracks, discoloration, and gaps between your teeth, the dentist can opt for dental bonding.

Dental veneers are shells that are fixed on the teeth to correct the shape, size, and color of teeth. These shells are ideal for moderate to severe problems. However, for these veneers to be fixed, the enamel needs a little reshaping and this is irreversible.

What Is The Process of Getting Bonding?

Dental bonding is a non-invasive and fast procedure that does not require anesthesia. The only time that local anesthesia is used is if you need a tooth filling, if the crack is near a nerve, or you need a dramatic change in the shape of your teeth.

• Teeth preparation

While enamel reshaping is not required, the dentist will prepare the teeth to make it easy for the resin material to bond to the teeth. A conditioning liquid is applied to the teeth to roughen the surface. The dentist will also choose the right material to match the color of your teeth.

• Bonding process

A tooth-colored resin is applied on the teeth, molded, and smoothened to the desired shape. The dentist may use a light to harden the material and the excess is trimmed. Finally, the teeth are polished to match the rest.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Teeth Bonding?

Teeth bonding is the least expensive procedure and is easy to apply. Plus, your teeth do not require reshaping as is the case with crowns and veneers.

On the downside, however, bonded teeth are not as durable and can stain. Also, they are prone to cracking and chipping, if not taken care of properly.

Teeth bonding can last between five and seven years. Because of these limitations, dentists recommend bonding as a short-term treatment for mild procedures.

How to Care for Bonded Teeth?

While dental bonding repairs your teeth, they are not as durable as your natural teeth or other dental restoration. That is why you need to take care of them by avowing chewing hard objects like ice cubes. Also, avoid the habits like biting fingernails or using your teeth as a tool for opening the bottles.

It is also advisable to avoid taking lots of coffee, wine, and tea as this can lead to discoloration. If the bonding material discolors, it cannot be whitened. The dentist will opt to remove the resin and reapply it to match the rest of the teeth.

Schedule an Appointment 

Visit iSmile San Pablo for more information about dental bonding and what you can expect during your procedure.