Dental bonding involves applying a tooth-colored resin material to a defective tooth, making it stronger and improving its look. Bonding is a very simple, non-invasive, and cost-effective dental procedure offered at Pacific Modern Dentistry, but it comes with its share of benefits and limitations as well.What is Bonding Used For?
Bonding is primarily a cosmetic procedure but it does offer a lot of functional and health benefits to your teeth. Bonding is used for:
| • | Repairing slightly chipped or cracked teeth. |
| • | Concealing discolored teeth. |
| • | Close minor gaps between teeth. |
| • | Make short teeth look longer. |
| • | Cover misshapen or crooked teeth. |
| • | Protect exposed tooth root. |
Dental Bonding Procedure
Dental bonding is a painless, simple, and quick procedure and does not require much preparation beforehand. Most tooth bonding procedures also do not require anesthesia either.
At Pacific Modern Dentistry, Dr. Jae Seon Kim will choose a shade guide to select the composite resin color which best matches your natural teeth. We will then etch the surface of your tooth lightly to make it rough so that the bonding material can easily adhere to it.
The tooth is then coated with a conditioning liquid that swill help bond the resin to the tooth. We will then apply the putty-like resin in layers to the tooth and mold and shape it until it is the required shape. Then we will use a blue UV light or laser to accelerate the bonding process.
Once the bonding material hardens, we will trim off any excess material of the tooth and polish its surface until it shines.
The bonding procedure is typically completed in 30 minutes or an hour for a single tooth. If you want to perform dental bonding on multiple teeth, you may need to schedule extra time or appointments.
Dental Bonding After-Care
Once your teeth are bonded, you need to take extra care of their oral hygiene:
| • | Follow a consistent routine of twice-a-day brushing and once-a-day flossing. |
| • | Dental resin is not as strong as your enamel so you need to be extra-cautious when chewing. Do not bite or chew on hard things like ice cubes, nails, or pencils, as it can cause the composite resin to crack. |
| • | Avoid eating food or using products that stain your teeth, like coffee, red wine, and tobacco, during the first 48 hours of the procedure. |
If you follow these tips, your dental bonding can last you for 5 to 7 years or even more.
Limitations of Dental Bonding
Dental bonding also comes with several limitations:
| • | Not as Strong: Composite resin is not as strong as enamel or even porcelain and is liable to chipping. If your tooth feels rough or jagged or if you detect unevenness when chewing, it may be because some resin has chipped off. In this case, you may need to get an appointment with us and get your dental bonding fixed or replaced. |
| • | Not as Long-Lasting: Dental bonding has a comparatively shorter life than other restorative procedures, such as dental implants, and can last anywhere between three to seven years, depending on your level of care. After that, you may have to replace it. |
| • | Not Very Stain-Resistant: Composite resin is not as stain-resistant as enamel or porcelain. The material is more porous and will retain stains if you consume dark-colored foods. The easiest way to ensure your bonding does not stain is to practice oral care diligently and keep your six-monthly dental appointments. |
Dental bonding is a safe and effective cosmetic dentistry procedure. What’s great about it is that it preserves your natural tooth health as it does not involve shaving off too much of the enamel, making it better for tooth health than veneers. However, it is not as long-lasting or durable.
It is a good idea to keep all these things in mind when deciding to get a dental bonding procedure. If you have any more concerns, you can call us at (206)284-4505 today.
