Dental bonding is a procedure in which resin-like material that resembles your teeth’ natural color is inserted between them. This is then bonded to your teeth.

A variety of situations may arise in which you need dental bonding.

This blog has everything you need to know about Dental bonding. Keep reading.

What is Dental bonding? Who is it for?

Dental bonding may be recommended to you for various reasons like:

• Cavities
• Discolored teeth
• Worn down, cracked, or chipped teeth
• For the protection of the roots of teeth
• To close down gaps between teeth

A resin look-alike of your teeth is selected, placed, and bonded to your teeth in this procedure. It is generally done to improve your teeth’ appearance or close down gaps.

Dental bonding, being a non-invasive procedure, almost causes no pain. Your teeth may become a little more sensitive to hot and cold food for a while, but you won’t even need pain relievers in most cases.

However, over-the-counter pain medications can be prescribed for pain relief if you experience any pain.

Types of Dental bonding

There are 4 different types of dental bonding. All of them use a composite resin material, but the functions of these types differ.

• Direct Dental Bonding:

Your dentist may perform a direct dental bonding for a quick fix for chipped or decayed teeth.

This fixes chipped or worn down teeth in one office visit.

This type is preferred to restore the natural appearance of your teeth.

• Composite Dental bonding:

Your dentist may also fix fillings on teeth in case of cavities or gum recession.

The procedure may take 30 to 60 minutes. The composite material is matched with the natural shade of your teeth, cured with a high-intensity light, and then polished.

• Composite veneer bonding:

Generally, composite veneer bonding is considered inside a cosmetic treatment.

It can alter the size and shape of your teeth and also close down any gaps.

• Indirect Dental bonding:

This type of dental bonding is considered a restorative treatment. It is generally considered to restore the decaying tooth.

Indirect bonding is covered in two appointments.

On the first visit, a mold of the decayed teeth is prepared and filled with composite resin. A dental inlay is created in a lab that matches the natural shape of your teeth.

Further, on your next visit, the mold is filled.

Your friendly dentists at Berkers will suggest the best kind of dental bonding based on your lifestyle and dental issues.

How to care for bonded teeth?

Dental bonding is known to last for three to ten years. It also depends on your eating habits and usage.

You can care for your bonded teeth just like you care for normal ones, but there are a few additional practices you can follow:

• Cut down on drinks like coffee and tea that can stain your teeth.
• Smoking may cause your bonded teeth to weaken.
• Consider wearing a night guard if you grind your teeth during sleep.
• Biting hard objects such as ice cubes, pencils, and nails is also not recommended.

7 Steps of dental bonding

Being a non-invasive procedure, dental bonding is preferred by most adults and even children because of its high success rates, fewer office visits, and increased longevity of the bonds.

Dental bonding is usually a painless procedure, but it is a good practice to be aware of all the basic steps that may be performed on your pearly whites.

Here are the steps that you may expect:

1. Selecting a shade that matches the natural color of your teeth

Your dentist will just try to figure out which shade closely resembles the natural colors and translucency of your teeth.

Mind the lighting in this step, as it can greatly affect the appearance of your teeth.

1. Cleaning

Your teeth may require to be cleaned properly to remove any plaque or tartar that may have accumulated on your teeth.

This is an important and necessary step before proceeding to be bonded. Any accumulation can be a hindrance to the bonding procedure.

1. Drilling and trimming

Based on the issue you are looking to solve, the dentist may trim your teeth.

For closing down gaps or restoring minor chipping of teeth, less amount of trimming is required. If the issue is large, like tooth decay, more amount of trimming may be required.

1. Acid etching

A tooth conditioner is then etched on the exposed part of your teeth. This tooth conditioner is a gel that comes in small syringes and contains phosphoric acid.

After about 15 seconds, the acid is washed off.

This step prepares the tooth for the bond to adhere.

1. Application of the bonding agent

The bonding agent is composed of liquid plastic. It is applied over your teeth using a small brush applicator.

1. Curing

Blue light is shown to the bonded part of your teeth for 10-20 seconds.

This light catalyzes the reaction between your teeth and the bond, which causes it to make an initial bond.

1. Applying, curing, and building up the composite

After the initial bond, successive layers of the composite are placed and set on your teeth. This helps to improve the shape and size of your teeth.

After that, it is cured and built.

Lastly, to restore the shape, the restoration might have to be cut and trimmed.

Professional dental bonding for gaps

Berkers Family Dental provides Dental bonding services at a very affordable cost.

We have professional dentists who will analyze the condition of your tooth and provide the best restorative composite that lasts long.

To know more about our services, click here.

FAQs

1. Does Dental bonding weaken teeth?

No, there is no possibility of your teeth being weakened by a dental bonding procedure.

Over time, the composite may get chipped down, but it won’t affect the strength of your teeth.

1. What are the steps in dental bonding?

The basic steps in dental bonding are: Determining the perfect type of dental bond for you and selecting a shade closest to your natural teeth color, applying the bond, and curing it.

1. How long will bonding last on teeth?

Between three to ten years is the ideal time for bonding, but it largely depends on your care and usage.