Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure to improve the appearance of your front teeth. Your dentist can recommend bonding if you seek a solution for misaligned teeth, gaps between your teeth, broken teeth, or a way to cover your stained teeth and restore a white pearly smile. The dental bonding procedure involves the application of tooth-colored resin to change the color, shape, or size of your teeth.
When you consult your dentist with different dental issues, they will assess your situation to determine whether you are a good candidate for dental bonding. Dental bonding is one of the most common cosmetic dental procedures. This is because the procedure is affordable and, unlike other cosmetic procedures, can be reversed to give way to a more permanent cosmetic solution.
Since the procedure does not involve working around the sensitive parts of the tooth, you will not experience pain or discomfort from the procedure. Most people who undergo dental bonding have high expectations for improving their smile. You can achieve your desired outcomes for your dental procedures in Lakewood, CA, by seeking our top-notch cosmetic dental services at The Lakewood Dentist.
Overview of Dental Bonding
Commonly known as composite bonding, cosmetic bonding is a dental procedure to enhance your smile. This is done by improving your teeth’ appearance, color, and shape. Cosmetic dental bonding is done by applying composite resin to your teeth. The composite material mimics the natural color of your teeth.
Dental bonding is a popular cosmetic procedure for individuals seeking to conceal minor dental flaws. Your dentist can recommend dental bonding for the following dental issues:
- Conceal cracks or chips. A tooth crack or fracture can occur due to aging or excessive pressure on your tooth enamel. Cracks vary in severity depending on the exact cause. Having a cracked tooth can distort your smile and affect your self-esteem. If the cracks on your teeth do not go deep into the tooth pulp or are just superficial, you can repair them through composite bonding.
- Tooth discoloration. You experience tooth discoloration when your teeth change from pearly white to yellow or your tooth enamel starts yellowing. There are several reasons you could develop tooth discoloration, and they include smoking, poor oral hygiene, aging, and trauma. Tooth discoloration can significantly impact your smile and appearance. Dental bonding covers up the stains and restores the color of your tooth enamel.
- Gaps between teeth. Gaps between your teeth could be genetic or a result of teeth shifting. Cosmetic bonding can help close the gaps between your teeth and help you achieve a visually pleasing smile.
- Irregular-shaped teeth. Dental bonding fixes not only the color but also the size of your teeth. Therefore, if you have irregularly shaped teeth, this procedure can help reshape them.
- Gum recession. If you have undergone gum recession or other complications that expose your gums, dental bonding helps cover the area and reduce sensitivity.
Dental Bonding Procedure
Cosmetic bonding is a quick and pain-free procedure that helps improve the appearance of your teeth. If you do not have severe dental complications that need prior treatment, your bonding procedure will take the following steps:
- Tooth preparation. There is little work needed to prepare for a dental bonding procedure. The dentist will clean your teeth to ensure that all tartar and plaque are removed from the surface. Sometimes, you may need a deep cleaning of the teeth. Your dentist may sometimes need an X-ray to check the extent of damage to your teeth, especially when you need bonding to cover cracks.
- Shade selection. Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure; you expect the bonded teeth to match the color and shine of your natural teeth. Therefore, your dentist will take you through the procedure of choosing the right shade of composite resin to suit your desired appearance.
- Application of composite resin. The dentist will roughen the enamel surface before applying the composite material to your teeth. The composite resin is then applied and molded into the desired shape.
- Curing the material. The composite resin is applied to your teeth in a liquid-like or putty consistency. Therefore, the dentist must use a special light to harden the material over your teeth.
- Polishing. The final step in the dental bonding procedure is polishing the teeth and making final adjustments for a natural look.
Advantages of Dental Bonding
Your smile is the first thing a person notices when interacting with you. Having chipped, broken, or discolored teeth can distort your smile. Your dentist may recommend dental bonding to correct these flaws and improve your smile. The following are some of the benefits of undergoing the cosmetic dental bonding procedure:
Dental Bonding is Non-Invasive
The idea of improving the appearance of your teeth through a cosmetic dental procedure is attractive to many individuals. However, some people fear how invasive some procedures could be and the risk of complications. Fortunately, there is nothing invasive about the application of composite resin. The composite material is applied to your tooth enamel in a liquid or putty state. The material is then hardened using a special light.
Bonded Teeth Feel Comfortable and Look Natural
When a competent dentist performs cosmetic bonding, the results will be indistinguishable from the natural teeth. Before undergoing the procedure, your dentist will take you through the process of choosing the color and shade of the material to match your natural teeth.
Saves Time
Cosmetic dental bonding is faster than alternatives like veneers and crowns. Your entire treatment can be completed in a single day, especially when you do not have severe dental complications. Since the bonding material is applied directly and hardened onto your teeth, it is unnecessary to take impressions of your teeth or send them to a laboratory, which can take a while.
No Damage to Natural Teeth
Unlike crowns and veneers, where the dentist removes part of the tooth enamel before the procedure, your tooth enamel will not be reduced for cosmetic bonding. This means that the procedure will not damage your teeth. Additionally, when there is no interference with the structure of your teeth, you will experience less discomfort and sensitivity from the procedure.
Can Fix Minor Alignment Problems
In addition to changing the color of your teeth, cosmetic bonding can be used to change the shape and size of the teeth. This is helpful when you have slight tooth alignment issues. Instead of undergoing expensive and complicated procedures like braces, dental bonding can help you fix the issue.
Cost Effectiveness
A significant benefit offered by cosmetic dental bonding is its cost-effectiveness. Most cosmetic dental procedures are associated with high costs that push people back from undergoing the procedures. Additionally, these procedures are not covered by insurance. Fortunately, cosmetic dental bonding is affordable for most individuals and serves similar purposes to other costly procedures like veneers.
Setbacks and Complications of Dental Bonding
Dental bonding has become an increasingly popular procedure to conceal dental flaws. This is because of the procedure’s affordability and other benefits for your teeth and smile. Although there are numerous benefits you could accrue from the procedure, you must understand the setbacks and potential complications of bonded teeth.
This helps you compare cosmetic dental procedures and choose what suits you best. The following are some of the disadvantages and complications of dental bonding:
- Stains easily. Over time, the materials used for dental bonding could discolor, affecting the appearance of your teeth and your smile. Some factors that could contribute to the discoloration of bonded teeth include smoking, drinking alcohol and beverages with a dark hue, and dental hygiene practices.
- Durability. Dental bonding is not durable compared to cosmetic dental procedures like crowns and veneers. This is because the bonding material could chip when you bite your nails or engage in other behaviors that strain your teeth.
- Special maintenance. You will need regular maintenance and upkeep to preserve the outlook and structural integrity of the bonded teeth. Routine maintenance involves brushing and flossing your teeth and having regular dental checkups. Additionally, you must avoid habits that put excessive pressure on your tooth enamel.
- Aesthetic. Although dental bonding can drastically change your teeth’ appearance, it does not compare to cosmetic procedures like veneers and crowns. The bonding material needs to be more translucent and replicate the natural look of your teeth properly.
- Sensitivity. After a dental bonding procedure, you could experience tooth sensitivity that subsides. If the discomfort and sensitivity persist, you should seek emergency dental care.
- Aesthetic limitations. Although your dentist will put great effort into matching the right shade of bonding material with your teeth, the color could change after a while, making it look unnatural.
Dental Bonding Aftercare Tips
Like other cosmetic dental procedures, you must take care of your bonded teeth to maintain a bright smile for longer. Common care tips your dentist could recommend after the procedure include:
Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is critical for your natural teeth and after a dental procedure. Although the bonding material will cover flaws like discoloration, cracks, and chips, you must always ensure your teeth and gums are clean. This helps avoid the accumulation of plaque and further damage to your teeth.
Good oral hygiene includes brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice daily. Your dentist will recommend the right toothpaste and brushing technique to avoid damage to the bonded teeth.
Avoid Using Your Teeth as Tooth
Like natural tooth enamel, the composite material used for dental bonding is prone to damage when you bite on hard substances. Therefore, after restoring your smile with cosmetic bonding, you must avoid habits like opening plastic containers with your teeth and chewing ice cubes, which could cause cracking or chipping of the tooth.
Watch your Diet
The foods you consume have a significant impact on your oral health. While cosmetic bonding will restore your smile, your eating habits will affect how long you can maintain it. Your dentist will recommend avoiding sugary or sticky foods to prevent further damage and decay of the teeth.
Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
Bonded teeth can be easily stained by alcohol and smoking. Although a glass of an alcoholic beverage taken occasionally may be no problem, heavy drinking, and smoking can cause discoloration of the tooth enamel, among other complications.
Take Plenty of Water
Taking plenty of water after dental bonding helps clean out food particles from your mouth and gums. Additionally, you can keep your mouth moisturized and avoid complications like bad breath from a dry mouth.
Make Regular Dental Visits
Your visits to the dentist should not end after your smile is restored with cosmetic bonding. You must visit your dentist at least twice a year after the procedure. During these visits, your dentist can help identify potential complications with your oral health. If your bonded teeth start chipping, the dentist can help repair them to avoid further damage.
Dental Bonding Alternatives
Your teeth may be prone to cracks, chips, and discoloration depending on your oral hygiene, activities, and diet. Cosmetic bonding is a standard procedure to cover dental flaws and improve your smile. However, not all individuals are good candidates for the procedure. Depending on your preference, budget, and desired outlook, your dentist can recommend the following alternative cosmetic procedures:
Dental Veneers
Veneers are custom-made shells that fit into the front part of your teeth. These dental restorations help conceal tooth cracks, chips, stains, or other imperfections. Dentists use high-quality dental materials like porcelain and composites to make the veneers. Instead of dental bonding, your dentist can recommend restoring your smile using veneers.
With veers, your dentist will remove a small portion of your tooth enamel to avoid the bulkiness of the tooth. Veneers mimic the shine and outlook of your natural teeth. This makes them a desirable cosmetic option for individuals with minor dental flaws. The procedure for fitting your teeth with veneers involves several steps.
Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab for custom veneers. To prevent further tooth damage and sensitivity, as your veneers are being prepared, the dentist can fit temporary veneers. Veneers will not require additional maintenance and, with proper dental care, can last you for up to fifteen years.
The downside of choosing veneers for your cosmetic restorations is their high cost. Additionally, the procedure will involve removing part of your tooth enamel, which can cause extreme tooth sensitivity.
Dental Crowns
Your dentist can recommend dental crowns when you have severely damaged teeth. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that restores your teeth’ shape, size, and appearance. A dental crown can cover implants on natural teeth whose structure and outlook are compromised by dental complications.
Crowns are used to cover the entirety of the tooth. Crows are custom-made in a lab to properly fit the problematic tooth. This is done by taking dental impressions and sending them to a lab. Unlike dental bonding, restoration of your teeth with dental crowns requires the dentist to remove a significant part of your tooth enamel.
Dental crowns are made of different materials, including metal and porcelain fused with metal and ceramic. Your choice of a desired material will depend on your overall health, your desired outlook, and your budget. The benefits of choosing crowns over composite bonding include durability, strength, and overall tooth protection.
If you follow the dental care tips your dentist gives, the dental crown can serve you for a long time without needing replacement. In addition to improving the outlook of your teeth, the crowns can protect the remaining tooth enamel from further damage. Before choosing crows, you must understand that the procedure could cause tooth sensitivity due to the reduction of the tooth enamel.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are another alternative to dental bonding. The dental implant procedure involves the attachment of titanium screws to your jawbones and using them to support artificial teeth. If the damage to your teeth is severe and you are not a good fit for bonding, your dentist can recommend extraction of the damaged tooth and replacement with a dental implant.
Since dental implants replace both the root and the tooth enamel, they look and function like natural teeth. Dental implants may be a preferred solution for dental issues compared to dental bonding because the restoration can last a lifetime with proper care. Additionally, you will not need to worry about constant repairs.
However, you must understand that the placement of dental implants is an invasive dental procedure, which means there is an increased risk of complications. The procedure for dental implants involves the following steps:
- Removal of the damaged tooth. If you have a decayed or severely cracked tooth, it must be extracted before the dental implant procedure begins.
- Jawbone preparation. A dental implant is attached to the jawbone. Therefore, your dentist will assess your jawbone to ensure it is healthy enough to support the implant. You must undergo a graft if you have a soft or damaged jawbone. The bone graft procedure could be done using your bone fragments or a donation from another person.
- Dental implant placement. During the dental implant placement surgery, the oral surgeon will cut through your gums and drill holes into the jawbone where the titanium screw is attached.
- Bone growth. After implant placement, you will need time for your mouth to heal and the jawbone to attach to the artificial root.
- Placement of the abutment. A dental implant has two main components: an artificial root and a replacement tooth. When your jawbone has healed from the surgery, the dentist can place a custom-made abutment as the replacement tooth. You can choose a fixed or removable tooth replacement for your implant.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dental Bonding
You could be a good candidate for cosmetic bonding if you have dental flaws like discoloration, enamel chipping, and tooth breakage. The anticipation of the outcome of the cosmetic dental procedure can take a toll on you. Understanding what the procedure entails and the results to expect is critical. The following are frequently asked questions about cosmetic bonding:
Does composite resin damage your teeth?
Composite resin does not damage your tooth enamel. Instead, the material can help protect the remaining part of your healthy tooth from further damage. After undergoing the bonding procedure, your teeth will be protected from staining, further cracking, and chipping.
How long is the bonding procedure?
Cosmetic dental bonding is a fast procedure that can be performed within one dental appointment. The process will involve the application of composite resin and hardening it with a special light. However, the procedure could take longer if you have dental complications like tooth decay or gum disease.
How much does cosmetic bonding cost?
Dental bonding is a relatively affordable cosmetic dental procedure. Depending on the reason you want to undergo the procedure, cosmetic bonding could cost you between $100 and $500 per tooth. Before your procedure begins, ask your dentist for an overall cost estimate. Some of the factors that could affect the overall cost in this case include:
- The number of teeth that require bonding.
- The severity of your underlying dental issues.
- The materials used to complete the procedure.
Most insurance plans do not cover cosmetic procedures like dental bonding. Therefore, you must be prepared to cover the total cost of the procedure.
Find a Competent Cosmetic Dentist Near Me
A chipped, cracked, or discolored tooth can ruin your smile and lower your self-confidence. Bonding is an increasingly popular cosmetic dental procedure that involves applying tooth-colored resin to each tooth to improve its appearance. This could be done to change the tooth’s shape, color, or size. Dental bonding can repair cracked, chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth.
Before you undergo the dental bonding procedure, your dentist will assess the overall health of your teeth and gums. You must undergo treatment before dental bonding if you have severe underlying dental complications, like tooth decay or severe cavities.
Cosmetic bonding is a minimally invasive procedure that offers a fast solution to restore your smile. Understanding the benefits and complications of dental bonding is critical before deciding to undergo the procedure. If you are not a good candidate for bonding, your dentist can recommend other cosmetic procedures like veneers and crowns.
Undergoing a cosmetic dental procedure is a nerve-wracking experience due to anticipating the outcome. At The Lakewood Dentist, we offer safe and reliable cosmetic dental services for all our patients in Lakewood, CA. Contact us at 562-423-1441 to book an appointment.