Dental bonding is when a tooth-colored composite resin is applied to one or more of your teeth to cover staining or repair damage. It is an excellent, cost-effective way to to improve the appearance of chipped or stained teeth and give everyone the opportunity to confidently flash a beautiful smile.
Dental bonding can also correct small cracks, or subtly increase the size of the teeth to close gaps, black triangles, or correct differences in length.
How is dental bonding done?
The process is as simple as it is painless. The whole procedure will typically take less than 60 minutes and does not require anesthesia.
Your dentist will create a custom mix of resin colors that closely matches the natural color of your teeth. The surface enamel will be lightly roughened to allow the resin to bond to your natural teeth. Your dentist will apply the composite resin, mold or shape the teeth, and then harden the material with an ultraviolet light.
What are the Advantages of Dental Bonding?
We all get plenty of advantages from modern cosmetic dentistry, and bonding is no exception. In our opinion, the most beneficial effect of bonding is an improved smile. We are all social creatures, and we love to smile. But when we are embarrassed because we know that our teeth don’t look their best, we avoid smiling, which is a shame. After receiving a dental bonding procedure, you can stop worrying about the appearance of your teeth and start smiling again.
Bonding can help with other dental problems and imperfections. Bonding can help in tooth decay cases, as well as chipped or cracked teeth. Quite often, bonding can help improve the shape and color of the teeth and their spacing. Bonding is great for anyone who suffers from those minor imperfections and small defects.
Considerations
The bonding procedure can often be completed in a single office visit and can significantly improve a tooth’s appearance. However, since the plastic resin used is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it is more likely to stain, chip, or break than natural teeth. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before needing repair.