What To Expect From Composite Bonding
If your smile isn't as bright and beautiful as you'd like due to tooth decay, discoloration, chips, cracks, gaps or abnormal tooth shape, composite bonding might be just the solution you need. Cosmetic dentists use tooth-colored composites to help reshape and repair your teeth during the bonding procedure. Bonding is one of the least costly cosmetic dentistry procedures, so it may be a good choice if veneers or other more expensive procedures, such as crowns, are out of your price range.
Dental bonding procedures can usually be done in a single visit, and most patients don't need to have anesthesia during the procedure. There's no need for the dentist to make molds of your teeth and send them off to a dental laboratory to create custom covers or veneers because cosmetic dentists have the composites they need for bonding in their offices. Your dentist will likely take mouth X-rays during your initial consultation visit to help decide exactly what needs to be done to give you the best smile possible.
During the procedure, your dentist will first etch the surface of your teeth to create a rougher surface for the material to adhere to. Next, your provider will shape the composite material around each tooth you're having done. The material may be thinner in some places and thicker in others where you have gaps to fill or damaged teeth that need to be restored. Finally, the material is cured with a special light or laser so that it hardens instantly, and your dentist will make any final shaping adjustments and polish your teeth.
Though bonding is inexpensive, it doesn't last as long as some other cosmetic procedures. You'll likely need to visit your dentist for touch-up work every few years to keep your new smile intact, though composite bonding can last up to 10 years for some patients.
The composites used in bonding aren't as strong as your natural teeth, so it's important to avoid biting your fingernails or chewing on very hard substances to avoid damaging the material. Bonded teeth also aren't as resistant to stains as crowns or veneers, so it's best to avoid things with high staining potential, including smoking and drinking coffee or dark teas. At the very least, brush your teeth as soon as you can after smoking or eating or drinking anything that has a tendency to stain teeth.
If you have any questions about whether dental bonding is right for you, consult with a cosmetic dentist in your area, such as at Dental Implant & Cosmetic, PC, to discuss your concerns and find out what procedure would be best to achieve your desired results.