Dental Bonding

Teeth Bonding Uses

Dental Bonding can be considered to fix the following dental issues:

• To repair tooth decay

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• To repair chipped or cracked teeth

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• To improve appearance of discolored teeth

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• To close spaces between teeth

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• To make teeth look longer

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• To change the shape of teeth

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• As a cosmetic alternative to alagam fillings (combination of metals that has been the most popular and effective filling material used in dentistry for the last 150 years)

How Does Dental Bonding Procedure Work?

Once you schedule a consultation with your dentist, you can discuss your treatment goals together. Once you are comfortable with your treatment plan, your dentist will use a shade guide to select the correct composite resin color that matches your teeth. Your dentist will slightly etch the surface of the tooth to roughen it. The tooth will then to coated with a conditioning liquid which allows the bonding material to adhere.

When your tooth is prepped, your dentist will apply the composite resin and is molded and smoothed in its proper shape. An ultraviolet light is used to harden the material. Once the material has hardened, your dentist will further trim and shape it and polish the material until it matched the sheen of the rest of the tooth surface. To minimize the staining of the bonding material, you will need to avoid substances such as coffee, tea, red wine and smoking for 24-48 hours after bonding is performed.

Direct Composite vs Adhesive Bonding

Direct Composite Bonding: The process where dentist use tooth-colored composites that they have in their offices to fill cavities, repair chips or cracks, close gaps between your teeth and build up the worn-down edges of teeth.

Adhesive Bonding: The process of attaching a restoration to a tooth. This method is commonly used for esthetic crowns, porcelain veneers, bridges and inlays/onlays.

Dental Bonding Pros & Cons

Advantages:

• Dental bonding is one of the most common and least expensive of cosmetic dentistry procedures.

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• Can usually be done in one short office visit unless multiple teeth are involved.

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• Required little to no removal of tooth enamel.

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• Most dental bonding procedures do not require anesthesia.

Disadvantages:

• Material used is not as strong as your real teeth.

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• Bonding only lasts a few years before it needs to be repaired.

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• Bonding material can become stained.

What Does Dental Bonding Cost?

Dental bonding is a very affordable cosmetic dentistry procedure. Most dental insurances cover portions of dental procedure costs. The average cost for dental bonding can range from $150-$1,500.