Will Your Bonded Teeth Stand Apart from the Rest Becoming Noticeable?

Dental bonding is a process where a cosmetic dentist uses a tooth-colored durable plastic material for application on your teeth and hardens it with a special light. The material used during the bonding process is similar to the material helping fill cavities on your teeth with unnoticeable fillings.

You can consider teeth bonding as an option if you have dental issues like cavities, discoloration, gaps between your teeth, uneven teeth, and as an alternative for silver amalgam fillings. Bonding also helps protect exposed tooth roots because of gum recession.

Besides the above, cosmetic dentists can repair your front teeth using tooth-colored bonding material if you have broken front teeth. Dental bonding is an excellent process for treating minor cosmetic issues with the appearance of your teeth. For example, cosmetic dentists consider this process best suited for short-term correction of cosmetic problems and correct teeth in areas with low bite pressure. Therefore, discussing the best treatment suitable for you with your dentist is essential before you decide on getting your teeth bonded.

Will Your Bonded Teeth Stand Apart from Other Teeth and Appear Noticeable?

The dentist providing the bonding treatment to repair your chipped teeth will start the process by choosing the color of the composite resin from a shade chart to ensure the material nearly matches the color of your natural teeth. If you have discolored teeth, the dentist recommends you get teeth whitening treatments before undergoing the bonding process.

The dentist recommends teeth whitening before bonding because it enables them to select the color of the composite resin to match the shade of your newly whitened teeth closely. If you decide not to have your teeth whitened, you compel the dentist to choose a color resembling your natural teeth.

Dental bonding is not stain-resistant. Therefore, you may develop stains on the bonded teeth if you frequently consume staining beverages like coffee, red wine, or smoke. In addition, your bonded teeth become noticeable if you try to stain them but otherwise appear like your natural teeth, especially if you adhere to your dentist’s instructions.

How to Prepare for the Bonding Procedure

Minimal preparation is needed for the dental bonding process. Therefore, you may not need anesthesia unless you need the procedure to fill a decayed tooth or have a tooth drilled to change its shape.

Dental bonding requires about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth because the cosmetic dentist must roughen the tooth surface to apply an etching liquid. The preparation by the dentist helps the bonding material adhere to the tooth. The tooth-colored composite resin is then applied over the tooth, molded, and smoothed to the desired shape. Next, the dentist hardens the material using a bright light or laser. The dentist can further trim and shape the tooth and polish it to match the sheen of the rest of the tooth’s surface even after the material hardens.

The Benefits of Dental Bonding

The dental bonding procedure is comfortable, requiring merely one visit to the dentist’s office besides being the most affordable. Unlike dental veneers or crowns custom created in a dental lab, the dentist accomplishes the bonding procedure in the office in one visit unless you need several teeth bonded. In addition, bonding does not require enamel removal or anesthesia unless you want the treatment to fill a cavity.

The Cons of Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is not stain-resistant like crowns or veneers. The bonding material is not as durable as your natural teeth or even fillings and can chip and break off the tooth. Bonded teeth can sustain damages if you frequently chew ice, pens, pencils, fingernails, or bite down on complex foods and candy. Using your teeth for purposes other than eating and chewing, like trying to open packages, can also damage them. If you notice sharp edges on bonded teeth or feel your bite is not familiar, you can call your dentist for repairs.

Besides, the above bonded teeth don’t need special attention. You merely need to follow acceptable oral hygiene practices such as:

• Brush your teeth twice daily.
• Floss your teeth at least once.
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash for rinsing at least once a day.
• Visit your dentist for six-monthly exams and cleanings.

With proper dental hygiene practices, the bonding material on our teeth lasts for three to ten years before needing replacements. However, the bonded teeth will blend in with your natural teeth due to the tooth-colored material. Therefore, they might stand apart from the rest if you allow staining to develop on them and need replacements earlier than eected.xp