The thing that strikes about how easily many eyes can be attracted with a single defect is astounding. While a chipped front tooth may not be visible to everyone else, you will see it every time you look at yourself in the mirror. Another instance may be of seeing any kind of defect in form of gap, deformity in the tooth, or simply anything that is out of place.
Fixing these problems is not necessarily done with veneers or crowns. When only a minor adjustment needs to be made, the option of choosing bonding with composite material will come up. It is a rather simple procedure that aims at enhancing the appearance of the affected tooth without significantly altering its natural anatomy.
This simplicity is definitely one of the advantages of this type of treatment. However, not every tooth and not every patient are good candidates for bonding. You need to know what the treatment can do for you before making the decision.
What Takes Place during Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding involves the use of a composite resin, which is the same substance used for white fillings. The resin is placed on the teeth and molded.
For example, consider a case of a missing corner on one of the front teeth. In such a situation, the resin is used to repair the tooth at the specific area instead of repairing the entire tooth. The molding process will involve making the missing corner. Once the proper form has been achieved, it will be hardened using a curing light.
After this, there will be final shaping and polishing. The color will be selected so that the tooth blends with other teeth.
Bonding may be used to:
- Rebuild a small chipped area
- Smooth an irregular edge
- Reduce the appearance of a narrow gap
- Improve the shape of a short or uneven tooth
- Cover certain marks or areas of discolouration
Many straightforward cases can be completed in one visit. Anaesthetic may not be necessary unless the tooth also has decay or damage that requires additional treatment.
Why Do People Choose Bonding?
First of all, the procedure is quite conservative. When making veneers or crowns, some of the natural enamel should be prepared in order to have the perfect fit of the restoration. Bonding does not imply much preparation at all. In some cases, the only thing that a dentist needs to do is to prepare the tooth’s surface to apply the resin.
Less commitment is also a good point. Should the resin get worn out or damaged in any other way, it will probably be possible to fix the problem without the need of redoing the whole procedure. So, bonding might be helpful for those people who want to improve a minor flaw and not redesign the entire smile.
Another important factor is cost, which, however, also depends on the number of teeth to be restored and on the complexity of the procedure itself. Bonding with composite is generally cheaper than the bonding with porcelain.
There is also convenience associated with the procedure. The patient might come to the office with a damaged tooth, and leave in the evening with it fixed.
Bonding Has Its Limits
Composite resin is a great solution; however, it is less durable and less resistant to staining than porcelain. It does make a difference, especially when we talk about the front teeth that are always exposed during eating, speaking or smiling.
The material tends to get stained over time. Coffee, tea, tobacco, and any strongly colored foods may influence the appearance of composite resin. The natural enamel may change its color at another rate thus making the bonded area look more visible over time.
Chipping is another issue that may occur. In case you regularly bite your nails or chew ice, you may cause damage to the bonded edge. The same thing is true for people using their teeth for opening packets, cutting tape or holding hard things.
Bonding is not going to help you with serious dental issues. A severely broken tooth should be covered with a crown. A wide gap or serious teeth overcrowding might be better treated with the help of orthodontic treatment. In case your tooth is weak or decaying, bonding may become an interim measure due to the extra pressure caused by the bite.
A professional dentist will pay attention not only to the visible defect. The condition of the tooth and how your upper and lower teeth interact should be considered as well.
Questions Worth Asking at Your Consultation
While it is easy to consider cost and ‘before-and-after’ photos, a consultation needs to do more. You have to determine if the treatment is suitable for your specific tooth.
When discussing Cosmetic Dental Bonding in San Jose and Santa Clara, ask what result you can reasonably expect and whether another treatment would last longer.
Useful questions include:
- Will any healthy enamel need to be removed?
- Could my bite cause the bonding to chip?
- How closely will the resin match my existing teeth?
- Is the treatment reversible or repairable?
- Would a veneer, crown, or orthodontic treatment be more appropriate?
- How often might the bonding need polishing?
- What would happen if it cracked or became stained?
Include any previous history of grinding or clenching too. Such behaviors exert quite a bit of pressure on anterior tooth fillings. Your dentist might recommend you wear a night guard in order to protect your natural teeth and the bond itself.
Thinking about whitening your teeth?
Let your dentist know about that too. Teeth whitening can certainly whiten your natural teeth, but it cannot affect composite resins already in place. Usually it’s better to whiten your teeth first.
How Long Can Bonding Last?
Not all restorations share the same lifespan. Generally speaking, dental bonding can last from several years, but the lifespan depends on where it was placed, how extensive the restoration is, and how much you bite with your teeth.
Small amounts of resin placed on the tooth surface will not be subjected to the same amount of pressure as the one used to reconstruct the biting edge. Oral hygiene is another important factor because when decay appears in the vicinity of the restored area, it will have to be replaced.
Dental checkups help to detect any small fractures, discoloration, unevenness, and other abnormalities. In some cases, the only thing that needs to be done is the polishing of the surface, while in others, a worn area can be restored to prevent further damage.
Everyday Care Makes a Difference
You do not need any elaborate system for cleaning bonded teeth. Just brush your teeth two times a day, clean between them with floss and maintain the recommended schedule of checkups and cleanings prescribed by your dentist.
Habits outside the bathroom should be considered as well. Do not use your teeth for anything other than eating food. Try to avoid biting on ice, pens, ripping off labels, etc. These actions can hurt both natural enamel and composite material.
Contact your dentist in case if your newly bonded teeth become rough and start to feel sharp when touched by the tongue or when you have problems with the bite. If there is a thin white line around the restoration, this also means that you should make an appointment with your dentist.
Is Cosmetic Bonding the Right Choice?
Bonding works best in case when the tooth underneath is healthy and the correction you need is minor. Bonding can be the best option in case you want to fix a chip, round out a too pointy edge of the tooth or cover a small gap between the teeth.
In case if there are large structural problems with the tooth or several teeth that need corrections, bonding will probably not be the best solution and there are other options that may give better results.
The choice will always come after a thorough examination by a dentist, who will check your enamel, gums, your bite and your oral habits.
The small correction can definitely help your smile. However, it’s not only important how good it looks on photos. A good result will be both aesthetic and comfortable to use.