Tooth bonding or dental bonding procedure involves cleaning, covering chipped, discolored, fractured, or decayed teeth with composite resin material. The bonding is polished, shaped for ensuring it shines and matches the color of the existing teeth. It is the most preferred option for improving the cosmetic appearance of the front teeth.
Gapped teeth, especially the front ones, can cause awkwardness. Dental bonding can prove to be the best option when it comes to closing the gap between the front teeth and bringing that impressive shine back.
A simple procedure
Often referred to as one of the most cost-effective cosmetic dentistry procedures, dental bonding can be completed within one sitting. It needs between 30 to 60 minutes.
The treatment can help fix filled cavities, repairing cracked teeth, improving discolored teeth, closing gaps between teeth, protecting roots exposed due to gum recession, and make teeth appear longer.
Tooth-colored resin is applied on the teeth and hardened using a special light. Your dental care expert would choose resin material that matches the color of the existing teeth. The second step involves making the surfaces of the teeth rougher and cleaner, for ensuring there’s an excellent bonding surface. A conditioning liquid needs to be applied for ensuring the bonding resin sticks correctly. Then, the resin material is applied to the teeth and scalped for giving the right tooth-like shape. A UV light or laser is used for hardening the material. Once the material hardens, the dentist would give final touches and polish it for making sure it matches with the teeth.
After completion of the procedure, the patient does not need any additional care and can brush, floss regularly. The resin can last for three to ten years if the patient follows proper oral hygiene.
Bondings can be done within a single trip to the dental office. They need much less of the enamel to be removed compared to veneers and crowns.
Dental bonding for crooked teeth
There are two fundamental ways for straightening crooked teeth. Dentists can either consider straightening the alignment of teeth with orthodontistry or recreate the top for changing their appearance with cosmetic options.
Depending on the number of procedures that need to be completed for proper alignment or matching the bite, your dentist would recommend braces, Invisalign, veneers, or crowns. However, if the teeth need considerable work on their surface, the dentist might simply prefer skipping orthodontics and go straight for dental bonding with new nicely lined up tops.
Strengthening the vulnerable teeth
Besides improving the overall look, the treatment helps in strengthening vulnerable teeth. The harmful bacteria can grow and multiply quickly in such gaps. Eventually, it can promote tooth gum decay, cavities as well.
During the dental bonding procedure, dentists clean the infected teeth and cover the same with a colored seal that offers further protection from bacteria.
An alternative for a usual tooth filling
Fillings appear gray or silver during the first few months after placing the same. However, later, they turn black and even resemble decay at times. After considering the condition of the affected tooth, dentists can also recommend dental bonding instead of amalgam fillings.
Of course, it’s not an option for covering tooth decay under the crown with a root canal. The bonding procedure is ideal for areas that do not face much of bite pressure. In case if the damage is on the teeth that face pressure while eating (molar), your dentist would recommend a crown or veneer-based treatment.
Dental offices charge between $300 and $600 for the treatment. But, the cost may vary depending on the condition of the patient’s teeth and other restorative procedures necessary to be performed. Most of the dental insurance plans cover dental bonding costs if the process needs to be performed due to medical reasons rather than cosmetic.
On the other side
Remember, dental bonding is ideal for minor corrections or adjustments. It can be a temporary fix that offers superb cosmetic results. Dental bonding stains a little bit more compared to veneers and crowns. So, the patient needs to follow the usual brushing and flossing routine for maintaining oral hygiene.
As mentioned earlier, dental bonding may last for three to ten years. All that the patient needs to do is avoid too much consumption of red wine, coffee, tea as these can trigger discoloration after a few years.
But again, the ease with which bonding is done, and the way it covers unsightly teeth, help it remain in the list of the least expensive dental cosmetic procedures. The process can help in making your teeth look new again without totally breaking the bank. It can help you regain that lost smile within minutes before attending the big event. Are you looking for options to cover unsightly teeth? If so, you should surely consider fixing an appointment for Dental Bonding at TruCare Dentistry.