These days there’s no reason to settle for a smile that is less than ideal. Cosmetic bonding is often used to mean adhesives in dentistry. But dental cosmetic bonding or tooth bonding on its own refers to changing the appearance of someone’s smile for decorative purposes.
Bonding is typically used for cosmetic purposes to restore and improve the appearance of a person’s smile. Thanks to a dental technique called bonding you don’t have to live with chips, cracks, stains, or gaps in your teeth. When you choose Bonding, your dentist prepares your tooth with an etching solution.
Next, unique composite resin materials are blended in colours carefully chosen to match your teeth.
These materials are applied to your teeth and shaped into just the correct contour. They’re hardened with a curing light and bonded in place.
Teeth that have been connected look very natural and, bonding can be an affordable and effective way to have the teeth you’ve always wanted. If you are interested in bonding speak with your dentist to find out if bonding is right for you.
Cosmetic bonding can be a permanent solution to restoring your smile. It can also serve as a temporary restoration while more advanced procedures such as porcelain, veneers or crowns, implants and its a particularly great solution for kids who chip or break their teeth a good thing since 2/3 related injuries are so common among young children and teenagers.
Cosmetic Bonding
Do you have a cracked or chipped tooth?
Are your teeth stained, perhaps?
You have some teeth that don’t match in size, shape or spacing. One of the most significant advancements in dental technology is cosmetic bonding—an effective way to correct aesthetic problems and give you a great natural-looking smile.
Cosmetic bonding materials come in a wide variety of shades to match your existing teeth. Compared to other cosmetic or restorative procedures, dental bonding is relatively inexpensive. The process is comfortable and doesn’t generally require anesthesia. It affects your natural teeth very little and has great versatility. First, your dentist prepares the tooth surface by conditioning it with an etching solution and may reshape it lightly.
Next, a durable tooth-coloured composite resin is applied to the tooth and hardened with a curing light. More layers are added, sculpted and polished for a realistic finish.
It is incredible how artistic and lifelike tooth repair with cosmetic bonding can be these days, and the results are most often accomplished in just one visit.
What is Composite Bonding and Composite Veneers?
Composite bonding and composite veneers are when we add some tooth-coloured resin called composite to the surface of teeth.
Composite bonding, composite edge bonding is when we add the resin just to the edges of teeth for example the tips or the sides.
Composite veneers are when we cover the full front surface of the teeth.
Some people do use these terms interchangeably, so it can get a little confusing, and you can also have a combination of composite bonding and composite veneers as part of the same treatment plan. It’s a versatile treatment, we can use it to repair chipped teeth.
Close gaps, we can change the shape and size of teeth and in some cases, we can even change the shade of teeth When we use bonding versus veneers depends on what your main complaint is, what the current position, shape and shade of your teeth are, and what type of results you’re looking to achieve.
For example, if you have a few small chips but you’re generally happy with the shape, position and colour of your teeth, then composite bonding is generally preferred.
However, if you’re looking to correct the shape or size of teeth, if you want them looking a bit more aligned, or you generally want them a little bit whiter, then we may need to cover the full surface with a composite veneer. It’s really popular because it’s a more affordable alternative to porcelain veneers. It usually doesn’t require any preparation for your natural teeth.
Your suitability for treatment will depend on what you want to achieve, what the current condition of your teeth is, and this can only really be assessed following a thorough face-to-face examination.
The dentist will assess your teeth and gums, as well as your bite.
If you have any dental issues such as dental decay or gum disease, this would need to be treated before we can start treatment with composite.
If you clench or grind your teeth, we will also need to do some further investigation before we can start cosmetic work. And if your teeth are misaligned then usually you will need to have orthodontic treatment such as braces or Invisalign. If you didn’t have them straightened, then your results may be compromised.
It’s also usually a really good idea to complete a course of teeth whitening before composite bonding or veneers because the composite doesn’t whiten.
What happens during treatment?
First of all, we will take a shade, then we will prepare the teeth by isolating them so that they’re clean and dry. We’ll use either a retractor or a rubber sheet called a rubber dam. We then roughen the surface of the teeth and place some dental glue, then sculpt the composite onto the teeth. We can either do this freehand or by using a template.
And finally, we would set it with a light and polish and shape it. It doesn’t usually require any anesthetic and the treatment is usually complete after a few hours depending on how many teeth are being treated at once. The main benefit of this treatment is that it is a relatively inexpensive way to upgrade your smile compared to other treatments.
It’s often advertised as no preparation required, so safer than porcelain veneers however this is not always the case. Some cases still require preparation depending on what your goals are, and the position of your teeth currently are. Some people also think that it won’t damage the teeth at all and that the treatment is reversible.
Yes, we can remove the composite if you’ve had no preparation, but it has to be done very carefully and with magnification to prevent damage to the enamel. Microscopically, there could still be some loss of enamel. You can also get decay under composite veneers and bonding if they’re not looked after, the same way natural teeth can decay.
It is still important to look after them and get them checked regularly. A dental assessment and consultation will be tailored to your specific concerns and, we’ll be able to advise on which treatment would be best for you.
Advantages of cosmetic bonding
- Bonding is less expensive in comparison with veneers and crowns which must be manufactured in a dental lab
- Dental bonding can solve a multitude of dental imperfections that are common to most patients.
- Bonding usually only requires one dental visit.
- It is a painless procedure that doesn’t usually require anesthetics.
- Quick Treatment With High-Quality Results.
- There is no necessity for extensive tooth enamel removal.
- Bonding on teeth can be repaired easily.
- Dental bonding costs are more affordable than other dental cosmetic and treatment options.
- Most insurers will cover some or most of the cost of bonding, especially when its purpose is reconstructive rather than cosmetic.
- If the final result is not satisfactory it can be easily reshaped and improved.
- A better alternative to amalgam fillings.
How to Take Care of Bonded Teeth
- Avoid habits such as biting hard food, ice cubes with bonded teeth.
- Avoid hard food and candy.
- Avoid coffee, tea, and tobacco for the first two days after the procedure to avoid stains.
- Brush at least twice a day and floss daily.
- Not biting your nails, and avoid chewing on pens.
- Reduce smoking and reduce the consumption of tea, coffee, red wine and substances that can stain the bonding material.
- Good oral hygiene is important for maintaining the results for many years.
- Scheduling regular dental cleanings every six months.
Are There Any Disadvantages to Cosmetic Bonding?
Well over time composite resins can absorb stains just as natural teeth do. The more coffee, tea or wine, you drink or cigarettes you smoke the more discoloured your composite restorations may become. If you have these habits porcelain veneers or crowns which don’t stain and are longer-lasting may be a better choice for you.
Avoid nail-biting as this happened along with any others that place excessive force on your teeth can cause the bonding material to chip. How well you’re bonded teeth hold up over time is largely up to you.
Adults teenagers and, children have all enjoyed the many benefits of bonding with composite resin. Is bonding right for you? Schedule an appointment to find out.
