05 May Everything You Need to Know About Dental Bonding
Do you have chipped, discolored, or misshapen teeth? You may be a good candidate for a cosmetic dental procedure called bonding. Dental bonding is a non-invasive way to restore the natural look of your teeth. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about teeth bonding, including its benefits as well as details about the procedure and aftercare.
What Is Dental Bonding?
Bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that involves applying a layer of tooth-colored composite resin to a damaged tooth. It’s a quick, non-invasive way to fix a variety of cosmetic dental issues, including chipped, cracked, discolored, or irregularly shaped teeth.
The composite resin is shaped and polished to improve the appearance of your teeth. The material is also colored to match your existing teeth and give you a beautiful, seamless smile.
Does Dental Bonding Hurt?
Since teeth bonding is a non-invasive procedure, and doesn’t require any drilling or removal of any of the tooth structure, dental bonding is usually painless. However, we may use a local anesthetic to numb the area if your teeth are particularly sensitive.
After the procedure, it’s normal to experience some minor sensitivity to hot and cold foods or beverages, but this should subside within a few days. If the pain doesn’t go away, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Bonding?
Aside from improving the appearance of your smile, there are several other benefits to teeth bonding.
- It’s quick and easy. The teeth bonding process is usually completed in a single appointment, so you can benefit from a more beautiful smile in no time.
- The procedure is non-invasive. Unlike other cosmetic procedures (such as crowns and veneers) dental bonding does not require any drilling or removal of tooth structure.
- It’s affordable. Teeth bonding is usually less expensive than other cosmetic dental procedures.
What Happens During a Teeth Bonding Procedure?
The dental bonding procedure is typically completed in just one appointment and can take anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour per tooth. The length of the procedure depends on the extent of the work needed.
Here’s how a typical bonding procedure goes:
- First, your tooth will need to be cleaned and prepared. We’ll roughen the surface of the tooth and apply a conditioning liquid.
- Next, we choose a composite resin material that matches the color of your teeth, apply it to the affected tooth, and mold it to the desired shape.
- Then we quickly harden the bonding material using a special light.
- Finally, after the material has hardened, we polish and shape it to match your teeth.
How Long Does Teeth Bonding Last?
The lifespan of teeth bonding varies depending on several factors, like the location of the bonding, your oral hygiene habits, and your dietary habits. But with proper care and maintenance, dental bonding can last anywhere from three years to ten or more.
To extend the longevity of teeth bonding treatments, make sure to practice good oral hygiene habits. Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, floss daily, and visit the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. You should also avoid biting or chewing on hard objects like pens, ice, and your fingernails, as this can chip or crack the bonding material.
Dental Bonding in Prescott, Arizona
Even a minor flaw in your smile can cause you to lose confidence. Luckily, at Prescott Dentistry, we can correct chips, cracks, discoloration, and misshapen teeth with a simple dental bonding procedure. We’ll help you achieve a natural-looking smile that you can be proud of.
If you’re interested in improving the appearance of your smile, call us at 928-445-1660 today to schedule a consultation.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (5/5/2023). Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash