Composite resin bonding, or dental bonding, is a special dental cosmetic and restorative procedure in which a tooth-colored, putty-like synthetic substance is layered directly on the enamel surface to change its shape, size, or color. In this process, a high-density mix of glass or quartz fillers is suspended in a resin matrix, which is chemically and mechanically bonded to the biological tooth structure through the light-mediated polymerization process and an acidic etchant.
In this blog, you will learn about the clinical effectiveness, clinical procedures, and long-term maintenance of dental bonding as it applies to the modern standards of restorative care. With an assessment of the structural correlation between inorganic fillers and natural dentin, you will understand more about this reversible treatment.
What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is a kind of restorative “sculptural restorative dentistry” since it strongly depends on the artistic ability of the practitioner and the high chemical level of composite resin. Bonding is also an additive process, unlike the traditional restorations that necessitate the removal of large portions of healthy tooth structure. You enjoy a medical-grade resin, which is carefully designed to replicate the light-reflecting qualities, translucency, and strength of your natural enamel. It is a combination of plastic and microscopic glass particles, and this is what makes it flexible during the shaping stage and extremely hard after the curing process.
Dental bonding is the primary entry point for cosmetic dental transformations, as it is the most affordable and offers the most significant impact. It can be used as a flexible solution to localized problems by your dentist, eliminating the need for laboratory production of a porcelain crown or veneer. In the process, since the entire procedure is conducted within the facility, you receive instant results, and in most cases, you can walk out of the office with a fully restored tooth within an hour.
This rapidity and effectiveness render it a common choice in contemporary dentistry among clients who value their time and seek a non-invasive oral health care method. The bond that you will develop in this process turns out not to be the superficial bond that is formed, but a deep, mechanical connection with the microscopic pores in your teeth, so that the restoration becomes a natural extension of your anatomy.
What Tooth Bonding Can Fix
Dental bonding can be used to treat a range of cosmetic and structural issues. It can be used to treat any small accidental wound or any long-standing aesthetic concern. Due to its extreme malleability, the resin can be feathered to the microscopic level of thickness or stacked to create a substantial percentage of a tooth bite edge. You should understand that the primary objective of bonding is to create a balance in your smile line, where every tooth is aligned to achieve a balanced and healthy appearance.
Repairing Chips, Cracks, and Fractures
When you have had a minor accident that caused you to have a chipped or cracked tooth, you know how distracting and uncomfortable a jagged edge can be. You should consider that a chip is more than a cosmetic nuisance, since a fracture in the enamel exposes the dentin, which is more porous and sensitive.
The result of this exposure may include increased sensitivity to temperature and increased susceptibility to bacterial invasion. When you opt to use dental bonding in such a repair, your dentist puts the resin on the tooth to patch the lost enamel, which basically covers the tooth and makes it sound again. You will find that the dentist applies the material carefully, taking into account the different degrees of opacity in your natural teeth, so that the repair will not be noticeable to anyone looking at your smile.
Closing Diastemas (Gaps) and Reshaping Teeth
You might experience a small space between the front teeth that is called a diastema, or you might have a tooth that seems shorter or more unevenly shaped than the other teeth in the same row. Dental bonding is a conservative form of orthodontic treatment that you can employ in such cases.
Your dentist can also build up the tooth structure by adding a thin layer of composite resin to the sides of the teeth on either side of the gap until it is sealed. This additive process will enable you to have an immediate enhancement in the symmetry of your smile. Moreover, in case you have a tooth that is undersized by nature or is peg-shaped, bonding makes that tooth perfectly proportionate to the other teeth.
Masking Discoloration and Protecting Exposed Roots
Deep-rooted internal discoloration or stains in the teeth may not be removed by professional teeth whitening, particularly if a medication or past injury has caused them. When this happens, you have the option to use dental bonding to disguise the affected tooth by applying a thin layer of resin or veneer. This gives you a light and even color, matching the rest of your smile.
Moreover, bonding serves as an essential restorative purpose in cases of gum recession. The gums tend to expose the tooth roots when they recede, and these roots do not have the protective layer of enamel that covers the rest of the tooth. Your dentist can apply composite resin to these exposed roots to serve as a shield against decay and significantly alleviate the sharp pain of root sensitivity.
The Step-by-Step Dental Bonding Procedure
The dental bonding procedure is one of the simplest and most comfortable experiences in clinical dentistry. Local anesthesia is rarely required, as the dentist typically does not need to operate near the sensitive pulp or nerve of the tooth. The whole process of fixing one tooth would take you between 30 and 60 minutes, and you will easily fit the appointment into your busy schedule.
Preparation and Precision Etching
The process of choosing a shade begins with shade selection, during which you and your dentist review an extensive shade guide to identify the resin shade that best matches your natural teeth. You must know that your teeth are not a single flat color, but rather have different tints and translucencies. As a result, your dentist can select several shades of resin to apply during the process, creating a natural depth and texture that mimics your natural teeth.
After confirming the shade, your dentist thoroughly cleans your teeth and then prepares them for the restoration. Then you will feel the etching stage, where a weak solution of phosphoric acid is used on the enamel. This acid forms microscopic, rough surfaces along the tooth surface, which are necessary for the bonding agent to create a strong mechanical lock.
Application, Sculpting and UV Curing
Once the tooth is etched and dried, your dentist applies a liquid conditioning agent that flows into the microscopic pores created in the preceding step. Then you are prepared to apply the putty-like composite resin. You will watch as your dentist acts like a sculptor, carefully adding material in bits, and then he will use special tools to shape it into the required form. This is where the artistic ability of the dentist is most evident, as they must consider the shape of your bite and the feel of the surrounding teeth.
After perfecting the shape, your dentist emits a high-intensity blue light, which is also referred to as a UV curing light, to cause a chemical reaction in the resin. This is a polymerization process that is mediated by light and which results in the instant hardening of the soft putty into a rock-solid restoration that is permanently bonded to your tooth.
The Final Polish On A Natural Luster
When the resin is hardened, you may find that the surface is slightly rough or that the shape is not yet in the correct position to bite. There is no need to be concerned, as the final phase of the process involves precise trimming and shaping. Your dentist will use fine-grit sandpaper discs and burs to remove excess material, ensuring the tooth feels natural to your tongue and opposing teeth.
Then you will get a final polish with the help of a range of special pastes. This is an essential step since it provides the composite resin with a high-gloss finish that reflects light just like natural enamel. At the culmination of this process, you cannot differentiate the bonded area from the rest of your teeth, and you can immediately resume your normal activities.
Benefits of Dental Bonding
You need to consider the advantages and drawbacks of dental bonding in comparison with other cosmetic alternatives and decide whether it is actually what you need. Although bonding is an excellent instrument for most, it is often viewed as a conservative method of treatment, as opposed to a permanent one. You are putting your money on the sustenance of your natural biology, which in most cases is the most critical determinant in long-term oral health. However, you must also be practical regarding the stresses that you put on your teeth and whether a more potent substance would be required for your particular lifestyle.
Why Patients Prefer Bonding Over Veneers
The most significant benefit of bonding is that it is not invasive. When you choose porcelain veneers, you, in most cases, have to commit to permanently losing a section of the enamel of your tooth to fit the thickness of the porcelain shell. This renders veneers a permanent choice. Therefore, once the enamel is removed, the tooth will permanently require a restoration.
On the other hand, dental bonding typically involves the use of zero enamel removal. You are applying material to the surface, and it is reversible, leaving your future possibilities open. Moreover, you will like the fact that bonding is much cheaper than veneers or crowns, and this is an affordable alternative if you do not want to spend a lot of money on improving your smile.
Understanding Durability and Material Limitations
Despite being powerful, composite resin lacks the durability or the same ability to resist stains as natural enamel or porcelain used in the laboratory. The resin is a porous material; therefore, it can slowly absorb the colors of the food and beverages you consume. As such, your bonded tooth will need touch-ups or polishing every few years to maintain its original shine.
Additionally, if you have other habits, such as grinding your teeth or biting your fingernails, you are at a greater risk of chipping the resin. Bonding is one such solution, which can last between five and ten years, after which you can opt to have the material replaced or upgraded in a more permanent restorative solution.
Caring for Your Bonded Teeth
Your role is vital in determining the duration of your dental bonding. Although the base of the work is provided to you by your dentist, utilizing the skills of professionals, the responsibility of maintaining the resin to withstand premature wear and staining falls into your hands.
The same care should be applied to your bonded teeth as to your natural teeth, with specific extra care to consider the special susceptibility of the material. Not only will maintaining a high level of oral hygiene help protect the bond, but also the underlying tooth structure will remain healthy and free from decay.
You should be mindful of your dietary and lifestyle habits. They should be especially attentive in the first forty-eight hours following the procedure, as this is when the resin is most vulnerable to staining. Avoid consuming heavily pigmented substances during this initial period, including black coffee, red wine, soy sauce, and tobacco products.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste, as harsh abrasives may leave microscopic scratches on the resin, dulling the shine over time. Alcohol-based mouthwashes also should not be used, as chronic exposure to high levels of alcohol may soften the resin structure.
Also, you should avoid using your teeth as openers of the packages or biters of hard objects such as ice or unpopped popcorn kernels because these forces may be higher than the strength of the bond and may fracture it.
Find a Reliable Dentist Near Me
One chipped tooth or a little dent between your incisors throws off the entire look of your face. Dental bonding is an immediate and non-invasive way of correcting these most prevalent flaws. This is a dental treatment that does not remove your natural tooth structure.
At The Lakewood Dentist, your oral health and self-image are inseparable, which is why we offer dental bonding services. Our clinical staff possesses the artistic accuracy necessary to ensure that your bonded restorations blend seamlessly with your existing smile. To experience the transformative benefits of our conservative restorative methods, please call us at 562-423-1441 to schedule your whole consultation appointment today.