What You Need to Know About Dental Bonding Of Your Teeth
Having cracked, chipped, and discolored teeth can affect your smile and can be a confidence buster. Moreover, these tiny cracks on your teeth can trap food particles and increase your risk of decay and cavities. Fixing these problems, therefore, can improve your oral health and smile.
We have several treatments that can help correct these problems like veneers and crowns. However, if these dental problems are mild, dental bonding in Toronto, ON, would be a suitable treatment.
What is Dental Bonding and When is it Used?
Teeth bonding is the process of applying composite material to the teeth and hardening it with a light to improve their appearance.
Our dentist can recommend dental bonding to correct multiple dental imperfections like:
- Repair decayed teeth. The dentist can use composite bonding to fill the cavities instead of amalgam fillings.
- Cover cracks and chips
- Improve discolored teeth
- Close the spaces between the teeth
- Bonding can make the teeth look longer and change their shape
- Teeth bonding can be used to protect the tooth of the root exposed when gums recede.
How Are the Teeth Bonded?
The process of bonding your teeth is done in about 30 to 60 minutes. It is also a pain-free process and rarely does the dentist use anesthesia. Local anesthesia is only used if there is decay that must be removed or the damage is near the nerve.
The dentist may do an x-ray as part of your dental examination to check the condition of the jaw bone. Your teeth need a little preparation to make it possible for the bonding material to bond to the teeth.
The dentist will apply a conditioning material to roughen the enamel. The teeth are rinsed and dried with a cotton absorbent. The dentist will choose a resin shade that closely resembles your teeth.
The composite material is applied to the teeth and molded to the desired shape, and hardened with a laser. The excess material is trimmed and the teeth polished to match the rest of the teeth.
Is Bonding Permanent?
Dental bonding unlike veneers can be reversed if you want a change of treatment. The enamel is not trimmed out as is the case of the veneers and crowns. This makes it easy for the dentist to remove the composite material without damaging your teeth.
Can Bonded Teeth Be Whitened?
No, once the teeth are bonded, you cannot change the shade. The bonding material is tooth-colored and can create a seamless look. However, it is not as resistant to stains as your natural teeth. This means that the composite material can discolor and create an uneven look. The dentist will remove the material and replace it if there’s discoloration.
How long Does the Bonded Material Last?
Bonded teeth can last for about five to seven years, but you can get them to ten with proper care. Composite bonding is not as strong as the veneers and as such, they are prone to damage. The material can crack and chip if exposed to a hard object. That’s why most dentists use dental bonding as a short-term solution for minor problems.
It is important to avoid biting hard objects or using your teeth as tools to keep the bonding material from getting loose. Also, avoid taking staining foods like coffee, tea, and wine. If you do take them, ensure that you brush your teeth immediately to keep the teeth from absorbing the stains.
Don’t forget to visit the dentist regularly to check the condition of the bonded teeth. If there are any cracks and chips, the dentist may have to replace the material.
How Much Does the Bonding Cost?
The cost of the dental bonding will depend on the extent of the damage. But, on average, it can last between $100 to $400 per tooth. Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure and so it is either partially covered or not covered at all by the dental insurance plans.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Arlington Dental in Ontario for more information on dental bonding and what you can expect from the procedure.