If you have teeth with chips, cracks, decay, or discoloring, then you may want to talk to the dentist about the changes that dental bonding can provide.
What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is a technique where the dentist uses a composite resin to change the surface of the tooth. The resin can strengthen weak spots after the decay is removed, can provide protection where a chip could cause increasing long-term damage, and can change the overall appearance of the tooth. Dentists can use dental bonding to make gaps between teeth appear smaller, the shape of the tooth appear straighter, and the size of the tooth appear longer. Depending on the severity of your exposed tooth root or the amount of gum recession, the dentist can even use dental bonding in place of traditional metallic fillings.
What to Expect
After you have talked to the dentist about the problems you are looking to address and the dentist has determined that dental bonding is best treatment option, the dentist will work with you to choose the best shade of the composite resin to use. The color can be adjusted to match your natural tooth leaving you with results that people will not be able to differentiate from your original teeth.
Next, the dentist will need to prepare the surface of your tooth so the resin will adhere to it completely. The dentist may need to roughen the area before they apply a conditioning liquid where the resin will be applied.
Then the dentist will apply the composite resin which is almost like a putty to the tooth. The dentist’s artistic talents will come into play when the dentist is shaping the resin. To harden the material from a putty-like texture to a solid barrier, the dentist will use an ultraviolet light or even a laser.
Finally, when the composite resin is hardened and set in place, the dentist may make minor adjustments to ensure your bite is even and the final product achieves the look you were expecting.
Each case is different and depending on the nuances of your particular dental bonding procedure, it may take thirty minutes to an hour from start to finish. If the dentist is going to address multiple teeth, the dentist may want to complete them over multiple visits to ensure there is enough time to get you the smile you’ve been hoping to share with the world.
Risks
While the shade of the composite resin looks like your natural teeth and the end result gives you the visual of the teeth you’ve always wanted, the resin is not as strong as natural teeth. It can chip or break off completely if you do not take precautions and care for it properly. Additionally, the composite resin stains differently than your natural teeth, so after your dental bonding procedure, you may need to change your habits. Quitting smoking, biting your nails, and chewing ice are not ideal for maintaining dental bonding results long term.