Cosmetic Dentistry: What is Dental Bonding?

Cosmetic dentistry is really just a large umbrella term for a variety of different dental treatments and procedures. Understanding what problems exist with a patient’s tooth can determine what form of dentistry is needed to restore teeth to proper health. If a dentist has already decided that dental bonding is the right treatment to pursue, you may be wondering what it entails, how the procedure will go and other general questions.

Understanding the basics

Preparing for a dental bonding treatment is not necessary, as it is a relatively simple process with minimal hassle involved. Here is what a patient may expect from their visit to the dentist for bonding, as well as the general timeline, reasons for bonding and care instructions.

Dental bonding defined

Dental bonding is a type of cosmetic dentistry that involves the placement of resin over or on a tooth. The process can be completed in one office visit to the dentist and is one of the least invasive dental procedures available.

Uses

Bonding is helpful in fixing a variety of dental problems and restoring teeth to a functioning and attractive level. Cracked, chipped, discolored and decaying teeth can all be candidates to receive bonding. Applying the resin to a tooth can alter its shape and improve its appearance, which, in some cases, can lead to an enhanced smile. It can fill gaps between teeth or lengthen teeth when they have been worn down. Bonding is also a popular option for filling in smaller cavities that do not require root canals.

The office visit

When a patient arrives at the dentist’s office for bonding, they can expect to go through the following steps:

• The dentist examines the patient’s teeth and matches the resin to the natural teeth color
• The surface of the tooth is abraded so that the resin will stick to it better
• A liquid is smeared over the tooth, and the resin is applied
• An ultraviolet light is used to harden the resin to the tooth

Oftentimes there is no preparation before dental bonding, but a dentist will instruct a patient if some is required.

Timeline

The visit for dental bonding can last between 30 minutes and one hour. However, every case is different, and some may take shorter or longer. Bonding may be expected to hold between 3-10 years, depending on the patient’s oral hygiene habits.

Maintenance

Caring for a dental bond is no different than maintaining good oral hygiene. This includes brushing twice a day, flossing at least once a day and rinsing with mouthwash. To prevent the bonding material from chipping away, it is advised not to chew overly hard foods or bite nails or pencils. These could lead to damage of the bond that requires an appointment for a replacement sooner than expected.  

Conclusion

Dental bonding is one of the simplest and least expensive forms of cosmetic dentistry. It may be a good option for those with minimal tooth wear or cracks who want to restore their smile to its former appearance.

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