Dental bonding is a quick and easy cosmetic dental procedure that can improve the look of your smile. Dentists can fill gaps, cover stains, and repair chips with tooth-colored resin. The material is carefully moulded and polished to fit perfectly with your natural teeth, giving it a smooth, natural finish. It is also a relatively non-invasive procedure that can be done in just one sitting, which makes it an excellent choice for people who want to see an instant improvement in their smile at a low cost.
Are you ready to determine whether dental bonding is right for you? Call Agoura Hills Advanced Dentistry to schedule a consultation today and start the process of obtaining the smile you deserve.
What is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is a commonly used cosmetic dental procedure to improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, discolored, or gapped. The procedure involves applying a special tooth-colored composite resin to the tooth’s surface. This is a combination of plastic and glass, which the dentist can shape artistically to restore the tooth’s appearance.
The main aim of dental bonding is to regain a tooth’s form, functionality, and aesthetics non-invasively. The dentist will carefully choose the composite resin’s shade, which is required to make the repair barely noticeable, as it blends with natural teeth. After applying the resin, the dentists carefully shape it to the desired form before a special light hardens it. The final product is then buffed to a natural-looking shine.
An important characteristic that differentiates bonding is that it is an additive process. This means that, in most cases, it does not involve much or any removal of the natural and healthy tooth structure and is, therefore, a conservative and patient-friendly procedure. Unlike veneers or crowns, bonding usually requires minimal enamel removal and is applied directly to the existing tooth.
This non-invasive procedure shows how modern dentistry can create beautiful results without destroying your own teeth. It is a quick, efficient, and transformational way to attain a perfect smile.
What Dental Problems Can Bonding Correct?
Dental bonding is a versatile cosmetic treatment that can repair several issues, providing a simple and effective way to address the most common imperfections in a smile. It is usually recommended for minor to moderate problems that do not need more comprehensive and therefore more expensive treatment, like porcelain veneers or crowns. This makes it a favorite among patients who want a quick and visible change to the appearance of their smile.
Some cosmetic problems include:
Repairing Chips and Cracks
Dental bonding is one of the most popular ways of repairing cracks and chips. Bonding can repair minor chips and cracks caused by accidents, wear and tear, or minor fractures. The dentist carefully places and shapes the composite resin to perfectly resemble the shape of the missing or broken part so that the tooth’s appearance is restored and its structure is enhanced. The procedure is accurate so that the repaired tooth matches the others well.
Closing Gaps
Dental bonding can also be a good remedy to fill small gaps between the teeth, or diastemas. Instead of going through an expensive, time-consuming orthodontic procedure to correct minor spacing problems, the dentist can fix the problem with bonding, resulting in a dramatic and quick improvement. By adding composite resin to the sides of the teeth, the dentist can close the gap, resulting in a more symmetrical smile. It is a painless treatment that provides fast and noticeable improvement in the overall aesthetic appearance of your smile.
Concealing Discoloration
For tough stains that professional whitening procedures cannot remove, the stains can be covered by bonding. Intrinsic stains are discolorations that originate inside the tooth. By covering the stained enamel with a thin coat of tooth-colored resin, the dentist can cover these stains. This is especially beneficial for single discolored teeth that look out of place against the rest of the smile. It leaves you with a brighter, more uniform smile without having to treat all of your teeth.
Lengthening or Recontouring Teeth
Bonding is also an effective remedy to correct crooked or short teeth to give them a more harmonious smile. Composite resin can be used to add to the length of a tooth shorter than the others or to mask an irregular shape that spoils your smile. It allows the dentist to create a more consistent and even appearance for your smile.
Treatment of Exposed Roots
Bonding can also be used in more than just cosmetic ways. Gum recession may leave the sensitive roots of the teeth exposed, causing discomfort and the risk of decay. Bonding can seal these exposed root surfaces, creating a protective barrier against sensitivity and further damage.
This large variety of applications means that dental bonding is a simple, cost-effective, and highly efficient option for many patients who desire to improve their smile through a single, minimally invasive procedure.
Good Candidates for Dental Bonding
Your oral health and cosmetic needs will determine whether you are a good candidate for dental bonding. Typically, the most promising patients are those:
- With good general oral health
- Who do not smoke
- Who want to address minor cosmetic concerns. These may involve filling small chips, sealing slight gaps between teeth, or covering slight discoloration that has not responded to whitening procedures.
The process is an excellent option if you require a quicker and less invasive alternative to veneers or crowns.
Dental bonding is not suitable for everyone, though. It cannot be applied to major structural repairs like repairing a tooth with large-scale decay or a large crack because composite resin is not strong enough to withstand the high biting forces in these areas.
Likewise, people with serious bite or alignment problems, including those that would usually necessitate orthodontic treatment, are not good candidates. The material cannot withstand the forces to correct significant misalignments, which could cause the bonding material to chip or fracture.
Moreover, the procedure is not ideal for individuals who regularly grind their teeth (bruxism), as the pressure would most likely wear out or chip the composite resin. It is also true of heavy smokers, whose nicotine and tar stains are likely to end up marring the aesthetic outcome of the resin in the long term. In these instances, a dentist may recommend using more durable materials, including porcelain veneers or crowns, which can withstand stronger forces and resist staining better.
The Dental Bonding Procedure
The dental bonding procedure is a non-invasive and straightforward procedure that usually takes place in one visit to the dentist. You can expect a comfortable experience with little to no pain because most of the procedures do not require anesthesia unless the bonding is applied to fill a cavity or the tooth is fractured close to a nerve. The whole procedure of a single tooth typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, and you can return to your daily life with a new, refreshed smile.
Shade Selection
The initial phase is the selection of shade. Your dentist will carefully select the color of a composite resin to match your natural tooth enamel with the help of a shade guide. This will help to ensure that the bonded area will flow naturally with your other teeth and that the result is natural and aesthetically desirable.
Tooth Preparation
When the right shade is carefully chosen to suit the natural teeth, the tooth is ready to bond. This crucial preparation step is a delicate yet critical surface modification.
A small etching on the tooth’s front surface uses a mild acidic liquid. This strategic use of the etching liquid left microscopic holes and a slightly porous texture on the tooth’s enamel. This porous topography is essential because it multiplies the surface area exponentially, allowing the composite resin to establish an incredibly strong and sturdy bond with the natural tooth structure. This makes the restoration a lasting and safe undertaking.
Application and Sculpting
After carefully preparing the tooth, the dentist proceeds to the artistic and technical stage of applying bonding material and its form. It is a soft, putty-like composite resin, which is carefully applied in thin layers in increments that match your tooth’s color. With exceptional skill and a keen eye for detail, your dentist meticulously carves and molds this versatile material. This hands-on process makes it possible to repair the chips accurately, fill the holes perfectly, and even shape a tooth entirely to attain the required aesthetic effect.
The resin’s pliable consistency gives the dentist a high level of artistic control, allowing them to create a natural contour, recapitulate a tooth’s natural surface texture, and blend the material flawlessly with the surrounding teeth. This is where the restorative process becomes an art form, which would show that a beautiful and natural look is achieved.
Treating the Material
One significant step is completed when the composite resin is molded correctly to give it the preferred shape and profile. A concentrated high-intensity curing light, usually of a bright blue color, is focused on the bonded substance. This is a powerful source of light that induces a photochemical reaction in the resin. In particular, it causes a catalyst in the composite to become active, and the material then hardens and solidifies virtually immediately, typically in seconds. This fast polymerization process guarantees the sculpted resin a firm, stable, and permanent component of the tooth structure that entraps the new form and look.
Final Shaping and Polishing
Once the resin has solidified, your dentist will perform the final touches, which include trimming, shaping, and polishing the bonded tooth. This last step provides a smooth surface that feels and looks exactly like your natural tooth and creates a seamless and durable restoration.
The Dental Bonding vs. Porcelain Veneers
The decision between dental bonding and porcelain veneers is an important one when it comes to enhancing your smile. Although the two procedures are used to solve specific cosmetic issues, they vary significantly in cost, durability, and treatment process. It is crucial to understand these differences to make an informed decision that fits into your aesthetic and budgetary preferences.
- Dental bonding — Dental bonding costs are far more affordable, usually only a few hundred dollars per tooth. It is not a permanent solution, as its average lifespan is 3 to 10 years. The composite resin used in bonding is also permeable and can easily be stained by certain foods and beverages, including coffee, tea, and tobacco, among others, with time. The treatment is minimally invasive and, in many cases, can be done in one visit to the doctor, without removing tooth enamel. This is why bonding is perfect for minor repairs like small chips, filling in small gaps, and touching up some cracks.
- Porcelain veneers — Porcelain veneers are a more permanent and durable solution. They are more costly, typically over a thousand dollars per tooth, but their life span is a definite advantage, lasting 10 to 15 years, or even longer with proper care. Porcelain is exceptionally stain-resistant. Therefore, veneers are much brighter and more consistent than composite resin. Veneers involve a more complicated process and take at least two visits to the dentist, and the enamel on the teeth must be permanently filed off to fit the veneer. Due to their durability and best appearance, veneers are the most common choice for a complete smile makeover and more serious discoloration or structural problems.
The choice ultimately depends on your priorities. Dental bonding is the best option for people who need a cheap, easy, and reversible solution to minor cosmetic deformities. The procedure does not involve any removal of enamel, making it an excellent choice when it comes to conserving natural tooth material. On the other hand, porcelain veneers are your best bet if you seek a long-lasting and dramatic smile transformation. The initial investment is higher, and it is irreversible because of the preparation of the teeth. Nevertheless, their incredible longevity and stain resistance provide a more lasting alternative to a perfect, bright smile that will last more than ten years.
The Cost of Dental Bonding
Learning about the cost is a crucial aspect of deciding on dental bonding. One of the main benefits of dental bonding is its cost, making it a very affordable cosmetic procedure. The price can vary depending on several factors, but it is generally expected to be between $300 and $600 per tooth in the United States. This is much less than a porcelain veneer, which costs well over a thousand dollars per tooth.
Several factors affect the cost within this range:
- Your geographic location is a significant driver, since dental fees will be higher in major metropolitan areas with a higher cost of living than in rural or suburban areas
- The repair’s size and complexity also play a vital role. A small chip will cost less than a larger, more complex repair or filling a large gap between teeth.
- The experience and reputation of the dentist may influence the price, since a highly skilled cosmetic dentist can demand a higher price due to their skills and artistic abilities.
When it comes to dental insurance, it is essential to understand the nature of your coverage. Dental insurance mostly does not cover cosmetic procedures, like closing a small gap to improve aesthetics.
However, when there is a structural or restorative purpose behind the bonding, like repairing a chipped tooth in an accident or filling a cavity, there is a greater chance of partial coverage. It is always important that patients discuss their dental insurance benefits with their dental insurance provider and understand what is covered in their particular plan before committing to treatment.
Long-term Health and Maintenance
You must take good care of your teeth after the dental bonding to ensure they last long. Although the procedure provides a beautiful and speedy solution to cosmetic problems, its longevity depends on your daily routines and oral health care regimen. A bonded tooth may last 3 to 10 years before it needs to be touched up or replaced.
You should also do several things to ensure your new smile remains bright and in shape as long as possible. Most importantly, you should maintain regular and high-quality oral hygiene practices. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, use a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste, and floss once daily to remove plaque and food particles from all surfaces of your teeth, including the bonded areas. Going for regular checkups and professional cleanings with your dentist is also crucial, as it will enable your dentist to monitor the bonding state and resolve any possible complications early on.
Equally important as proper care is avoiding harmful habits. The bonding composite resin is not as strong as natural tooth enamel, so consider your habits. Avoid biting on hard substances like ice, hard candy, pens, or even fingernails, as this is likely to cause the bonding to chip or fracture. Moreover, the resin is porous and prone to stains compared to porcelain. To avoid discoloration, reduce your intake of highly pigmented food and beverages such as coffee, red wine, tea, and dark-colored sodas, and quit smoking altogether.
Find a Dental Bonding Expert Near Me
Cosmetic dentistry, especially dental bonding, is highly effective and convenient for changing your smile. Bonding is a quick, inexpensive, and minimally invasive way to achieve a brighter smile, as this technique can fix chips, seal gaps, and brighten teeth in a single appointment. It speaks to the power of contemporary dental work to achieve dramatic results with minimal inconvenience.
When ready to learn how dental bonding can beautify your smile, schedule a consultation with Agoura Hills Advanced Dentistry today. Let us help you achieve the radiant smile you deserve. Contact us at 888-818-878-7300 for further assistance.