Dental bonding is a very simple and effective procedure that has been gaining a lot of popularity over the past few years. As the technology and results have improved, dentists around the world have become more likely to recommend it as a cosmetic procedure to help restore a person’s smile.
How Does it Work?
Dental bonding can now be used to repair chipped, decayed or cracked teeth, improve the color of teeth, close the spaces between them and change their shape. The resin is also sometimes used to protect a person’s tooth root after receding gums have exposed them. So, it’s kind of a jack of all trades in the dental world.
The procedure of dental bonding involves the use of a resin material to correct minor damage or deformation to teeth. The resin used in bonding is made of a plastic-like material that’s applied directly onto the tooth and hardened with the use of a special light.
The light makes the resin bond with the tooth before it can be molded to form a shape which resembles the missing part. The color of the resin can also be adjusted to match the shade of your teeth, so there’s no need to worry about it being noticed.
What to Expect
Anesthesia is not required for this procedure as it is completely painless. However, it may be required if the bonding is done on a decayed tooth.
The resin is available in a variety of different colors and the dentist can use a shade guide to decide which shade of resin will suit your teeth best. The tooth’s surface is roughened up and liquid conditioner is applied to it directly. While applying the resin to this roughened tooth the resin can be molded into the desired shape, as it is in a putty-like form.
To harden the putty-like resin, ultraviolet light or lasers are applied directly onto it when it’s in place. This hardens the material and the dentist maybe able to shape up the resin further before polishing it. The teeth can look almost flawless at the end of this procedure, whichtakes just around 30-45 minutes.
The Benefits
Fixes Cosmetic Issues – The look and feel of your teeth can be almost completely changed with the help of this tooth bonding method. Newer varieties of teeth bonding resin are made of a material that is a lot more durable than before. Unattractive gaps between your teeth can be completely filled in this way. Teeth that may have been broken or partly chipped due to some accident can be repaired and made to look just as they did before…or even better.
Long Lasting - The bonding material also tends to last incredibly long and most teeth bonds can last anywhere between 3 and 10 years. The lifespan of the material used in the bond depends on factors concerning your oral care and the amount of bonding material used. Once the bond has worn outthough, it can easily be retouched or replaced. Dentists generally prefer to use this bonding material on areas of the teeth where they don’t expect much biting friction. This is to prolong the life of the material as much as possible.
Cost & Time Efficient - Another advantage of dental bonding is that it is a relatively inexpensive procedure. The cost per tooth for dental bonding may vary depending on where you live but they generally cost between $100 and $400 per tooth.
The procedure is not as time-consuming as the bonding can be done right in the dental clinic and no custom made molds need to be made in a special lab. Fitting crowns could take a few days as custom-made crowns need to come back from a lab but dental bonds can be done with very little material, all of which is easily available to the dentist.
Low Maintenance - The most incredible part of this treatment is that once the bond has been applied it requires no special care or maintenance. You can eat and chew just as before without the fear of damaging the bond. The material is also remarkably resistant to stains and will not get discolored easily.
Besides avoiding chewing hard objects such as ice, pencils or bottle caps, bonded teeth require no special treatment besides generally accepted best oral hygiene practices like brushing twice a day, flossing once a day and regular dental check-ups. Once the material has been set onto the existing tooth, it’s barely noticeable. But youshould still be careful to avoid any direct pressure on the tooth after the treatment.
Minor cosmetic changes and major defects on teeth can all be rectified by this treatment. There are always new developments in modern dentistry that make life easier for patients, so be sure to consult your dentist about the newest techniques that may work for you.
About the Author: Dr. Kenneth Makis one of the dentists behind MKD Dentistry in Downtown Los Angeles. He and Dr. Dennis De Mesa and Dr. Rodney Kleiger practice general and cosmetic dentistry and offer a wide range of treatments. In his spare time, Dr. Mak likes to share his expertise and passion for preventative care as a guest author on a variety of online publications. Click here to learn more.
