Dental bonding is an ideal dental procedure for fixing chipped, cracked, or stained teeth! By applying a tooth-colored resin to the affected tooth, a dental professional can conceal imperfections and improve the overall appearance of your smile. In this article, we’ll talk about the dental bonding process and the benefits it has on teeth that have been damaged by trauma or decay!
The Dental Bonding Procedure
Repairing your teeth with dental bonding is a fairly straightforward procedure. Dental bonding is a quick and cost-effective solution for teeth that have been cracked, chipped, or discolored due to trauma or decay. One of the biggest benefits of the dental bonding process is that it can typically be done in a single trip to your dentist, whereas many other cosmetic & restorative procedures can take several separate appointments. The basic steps of the dental bonding procedure are as follows:
Selecting The Bonding Material
The first step in the dental bonding procedure is the dentist matching a dental grade composite resin material to the color of your teeth. This is an important step, as it will ensure that when the procedure is complete, the teeth that have been worked on will match seamlessly with the rest of your smile.
Applying The Bonding Material
The next step in the dental bonding procedure is to apply the bonding material to your teeth. The dentist will texture and prepare your natural tooth, then apply the composite resin material. The material is applied in layers and then shaped and smoothed to the desired contour of the tooth.
Hardening The Bonding Material
Once the composite resin has been applied to the desired teeth, the dentist will use a special light to harden and cure the bonding material. This process typically takes a few minutes.
Shaping & Polishing
After the bonding material has hardened, the dentist will shape and polish the tooth to match the surrounding teeth.
Final Inspection
Finally, the dentist will inspect the bonded tooth to ensure it looks natural and feels comfortable in the patient’s bite. The entire dental bonding process typically takes 30-60 minutes per tooth, and the final result should last several years with proper care. Additionally, it is a pain-free cosmetic solution to enable you to smile again.
How Dental Bonding Fixes Chips, Cracks, & Other Cosmetic Damage
The dental bonding procedure can be used to repair chips, cracks, and gaps in teeth and to change a tooth’s shape or color. The composite resin used in dental bonding is durable and can withstand normal biting and chewing forces. However, it is not as strong as natural tooth enamel and may need to be repaired or replaced over time. Dental bonding is just one procedure that can be used to fix these problems and may not be right for every patient. Other cosmetic & restorative dental procedures that can be used to fix chips, cracks, and discoloration include veneers, implants, crowns, contouring & reshaping, and more. If you’re not sure which option is right for you, be sure to speak to your dentist about the pros & cons of each procedure!
Contact Gentle Dental Maine!
If you have any questions about dental bonding or are considering a cosmetic dental procedure, contact Gentle Dental Maine! Our family dentists specialize in general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry services at each of our offices in South Portland, Biddeford, and Topsham. Give us a call at any one of our offices, or if you’re not yet a patient with us, please fill out the new patient form on our website!