A Detailed Guide to Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is one of the most common non-invasive ways of improving your smile and tackling cracks, chips, and gaps between your teeth. A procedure that takes about 30 to 60 minutes, it not only helps make your teeth look even and proportionate but also repairs discolored teeth. 

If you plan to undergo dental bonding, knowing what it is, how long it lasts, precautions to take after the procedure, and its pros and cons can help you make the right decision. Here’s everything you need to know about dental bonding to help you with that.

What Exactly is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure that involves applying a tooth-colored resin material to the concerned tooth, which is then hardened using a special light. This helps bond the material to the tooth to improve the smile profile of a person.

Why You’d Consider Dental Bonding

There are various reasons why people opt for teeth bonding. To begin with, it is the most common solution to repair decayed teeth, chips, and cracked teeth. Dental implant complications can also be repaired with dental bonding. Dental bonding is useful in improving the appearance of discolored teeth. If you have gaps or spaces between your teeth or want to change the shape of your tooth for even-looking teeth and a beautiful smile, the dental bonding procedure can help.

Types of Dental Bonding

There are two common types of dental bonding based on the material used and the procedure, which are as follows:

1. Adhesive Bonding
   Adhesive bonding uses a type of acid or corrosive material known as an etchant. The procedure also involves an adhesive and curing light for attaching the restoring element to the damaged tooth. Adhesive bonding finds its application in porcelain veneers, fillings, and crowns free of metals.
   
2. Direct Composite Bonding
   One of the most common dental bonding procedures involves using a composite resin similar to the teeth’ color. The dentist molds the material to fit your teeth, which is then applied to the teeth using a bonding agent. The procedure is complete when the resin is cured with the help of a UV light. Once the tooth is bonded, it can also be shaped as per needs after it hardens.

Pros of Dental Bonding

The following are the reasons why dental bonding is a preferred procedure for structural and aesthetic issues:

1. Minimally Invasive
   Dental bonding, unlike other procedures, such as porcelain veneers and crowning, only requires minimal work and does not involve removing the enamel.
   
2. Least Expensive
   Dental bonding is also a cost-effective alternative to several dental procedures for correcting chips and gaps and modifying the shape of your teeth.
   
3. Customized Coverings
   This procedure is ideal for many dental issues, such as discolorations, imperfections, gaps, chips, cracks, and much more. This makes the dental bonding procedure one of the most versatile options.
   
4. Fast and Convenient
   Dental bonding is a non-invasive procedure and takes only one office visit, which makes it less time-consuming and convenient.
   

Cons of Dental Bonding

While dental bonding offers several advantages, knowing a few cons of this procedure can help you decide if it suits you. With that said, here are some disadvantages associated with dental bonding.

1. Not Stain-Resistant
   The material used in dental bonding may not be completely stain-resistant, unlike porcelain restorations. This means that your bonded teeth may develop stains from certain foods, dark beverages, and frequent smoking, especially when proper oral health is not maintained.
   
2. Short Lifespan
   Dental bonding may not take as long as many other materials do. The material used for dental bonding lacks the strength of natural teeth. It is prone to chipping when you chew on hard foods, such as nuts, candies, crunchy foods, etc.
   

What Happens after Teeth Bonding?

When you get teeth bonding done, paying extra attention to your oral health is crucial. This helps maintain the health and brightness of the dental bonding material. Furthermore, it is strongly recommended not to consume crunchy or hard foods as such foods can chip the resin.

Dental Bonding Cost

Dental bonding can range from $100 to $400 per tooth. However, the exact cost depends on various factors. The costs may vary based on the city of the dentist’s clinic, the work scope, the affected area’s size, and much more. While your insurance may cover dental bonding costs, this largely depends on whether your issue is structural or cosmetic.

Taking Care of Your Bonded Teeth

The bonding material is prone to chipping, so it is imperative to take proper care of the teeth that have undergone the dental bonding procedure. Habits such as biting fingernails, eating hard foods like ice, chewing on pens, or tearing things open using your bonded teeth should be avoided. Brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, and using an antiseptic mouthwash once a day are all oral care habits that must be followed to ensure your bonded teeth last longer.

When Do I Need to Visit the Dentist?

You should visit your dentist when you feel discomfort upon biting or chewing or notice a sharp edge on a bonded tooth. These signs indicate that your bonded teeth need to be fixed or shaped to ensure they do not cause inconvenience when you eat.

Dental bonding can be a useful, painless solution to various dental issues. Since dentists don’t work close to pain-causing nerves in the mouth, it offers exceptional results minus any pain. People also choose to go for dental bonding as it takes no amount of recovery time. you can easily go back to all the normal activities right after getting your teeth bonded. If you have decided to opt for dental bonding, it is recommended that you consult your dentist, find out everything about the procedure, and understand how you can care for your teeth to ensure the outcomes are more long-lasting.