1. Bond, Dental Bond
Dental bonding repairs decayed, cracked or chipped teeth by bonding a tooth-colored resin material to existing teeth. The resin is hardened with a light and bonds to the teeth. Bonding fills gaps between teeth, fixes broken teeth and covers discoloration. It makes teeth look longer and protects the roots of teeth when exposed due to periodontal disease. Bonding is a great option for people who need minor dental repairs and want a fresh smile at an affordable price.
2. Bonding Benefits
Dental bonding is the least expensive of all other types of restorative dentistry procedures because it doesn't require special molds or fittings and happens right in the dental office. Crowns and veneers are more expensive because they go to a laboratory for proper construction. Bonding also requires less enamel removed than other procedures, so there is rarely a need for anesthesia unless it's to fill a cavity. In most cases bonding takes only one visit to the dentist unless several teeth need work.
3. Bonded for Life?
Bonding is not a one time fix for most people. Although they look much like your natural teeth, the bonding material does chip more easily than other materials, and bonding is nowhere near as strong as a crown or regular filling. Bonded teeth also do not resist stains as well as crowns and are not as strong as veneers.
4. Bonding Basics
Bonding doesn't require any advance preparation. Your dentist will use a shade chart to determine what bonding color best matches your existing teeth. The dentist roughs up the tooth's surface and applies a conditioning liquid. Then a resin material, much like putty, goes over the tooth and is smoothed and shaped. An ultraviolet light or laser dries the resin and the dentist does further filing or shaping of the tooth. Finally the tooth gets a good polish to match the rest of the teeth. The entire procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth.
5. Be Kind to the Bond
Since bonding is more delicate than other restorative materials it's important to use care when brushing and flossing. Choose gentle toothpastes designed for bonded teeth. Ask your dentist for suggestions. Visit the dentist regularly for professional cleanings. Pay attention to hard foods and cut things like apples or fresh veggies in small pieces to avoid chipping dental bonds. Keep hard objects like fingernails or pencils away from bonded teeth.
