Written by Dr. Reza Khazaie
Dental bonding — also referred to as “Teeth Bonding” can fix these cosmetic dental issues.
There are several cosmetic dentistry procedures available in the marketplace today from which a person can choose. These include All On 4 dental implants, dental veneers, and dental crowns, all of which can enhance or create a beautiful smile.
Getting cosmetic dental work done can be a significant upfront investment. The high costs, though, can be prohibitive for many, including patients who would greatly benefit from cosmetic dentistry.
The good news is dental bonding also referred to as teeth bonding, may be the solution.
The best news is it’s not as expensive as many dental cosmetic procedures.
What is dental bonding (teeth bonding)?
Dental bonding, also known as teeth bonding, is a simple, cost-effective, and straightforward cosmetic procedure that is designed to alter and enhance the shape, size, and color of a person’s teeth using dental-grade resin composites.
Unlike most conventional cosmetic dental procedures, dental bonding is a largely additive process. Dental-grade resin is applied to a tooth, for example, a chipped tooth, and then sculpted into the correct shape.
In comparison, other cosmetic dentistry techniques, such as a dental crown procedure, require the removal of some existing dental material. In a crown procedure, the dentist must shave off some of a tooth’s enamel to provide a suitable attachment point for the crown. With a dental implant, the entire target tooth must be extracted and replaced with an artificial replacement tooth while both crowns and dental implants can offer those who require replacement teeth a long-lasting and highly aesthetic solution.
However, they are not a solution for everyone. For most people, dental bonding is an excellent solution for repairing damaged, discolored, or disfigured teeth that are still structurally sound.
How teeth bonding alters the look of your teeth
Dentists apply bonding resin to a patient’s teeth to cover up blemishes, repair cracks, fill in chips, and otherwise give the target tooth a perfect shape, size, or color. When properly color-matched to your existing teeth, once the dental bonding resin has cured, it is impossible to tell where the existing tooth ends and the resin begins.
Bonding resins repair and restore your teeth without any noticeable hardware, scars, or material transitions.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dental Bonding
Advantages of dental bonding
Disadvantages of dental bonding
Overall, dental bonding can be an excellent option for making minor cosmetic improvements to your smile, but it’s essential to discuss your individual needs and expectations with your dentist to determine if bonding is the right choice for you.
What to expect when you get your teeth bonded
Dental bonding is usually a relatively quick and straightforward procedure. Patients typically need just a single appointment, depending on the number of teeth that require repair or restoration.
The dental bonding procedure begins with dental etching. This is merely a preparatory stage during which the dentist will scrape or etch a person’s teeth to create a rougher surface. This is very important and allows the dental resin to mechanically bond to existing dental surfaces.
Once etching is complete, the next step is to apply a chemical primer followed immediately by the actual resin composite material. The material is carefully shaped to the correct size and proportions desired. Once the tooth has been completely restored, the resin is allowed to harden, typically with the aid of a curing light.
While this is the typical order of events, patients can expect for a standard dental bonding procedure; many advanced cosmetic dentistry clinics also include one important additional step: porcelain.
Practices that employ a biomimetic approach may also add a porcelain ceramic layer on top of the composite resin giving the final restoration superior strength, shine, and a very appealing luster.
How long does tooth bonding last?
The longevity of dental restoration accomplished through teeth bonding will depend on a variety of factors including the quality of the execution of the restoration, the balance of a patient’s bite, which teeth were restored, a patient’s diet, and how well a patient takes care of his or her teeth.
Resin-based restorations, including teeth that are repaired through dental bonding, tend to wear faster than restorations using other materials such as porcelain ceramics.
On average, bonded restorations last between 4 to 8 years, although some may fail sooner while others have been known to last up to a decade or longer.
Is dental bonding right for me?
A dental bonding procedure can be a transformative solution for those looking to repair or restore their smile. It is relatively affordable, fast, minimally invasive, and looks great to boot. When executed correctly and paired with rigorous dental hygiene, bonded teeth can last many years before needing to be redone or touched up.
