Dental Bonding for Gaps in Between Teeth in Austin, TX

Many people have gaps in between their front teeth and choose to simply live with it, thinking that the only way to resolve the issue is by wearing braces or some similar orthopedic appliance for an extended period of time – a period of time that could be anywhere from several months up to three years! But there is another way to fix the problem, and that is by using dental bonding for gaps in between teeth. Bonding can not only fix a gap; it can do it for a fraction of the cost of braces and usually in just a single trip to the dentist’s office. We’ve compiled the following information about dental bonding to help you decide if you might be a good candidate for this cosmetic procedure.

What’s Involved in the Dental Bonding Procedure

The bonding procedure is remarkably simple and fast. It begins with your dentist preparing your teeth to ensure that the bonding material adheres well to the surface of the teeth. To do this, the dentist will etch the teeth and apply a conditioning liquid, which enables the bonding material to bond to the tooth surface. The next step involves your dentist applying a composite resin material to the surface of the teeth. Once that material begins to harden slightly, your dentist will literally mold it into a perfectly shaped tooth. In the case of bonding being used to close gaps between teeth, the composite material will serve to slightly widen the affected teeth and, as a result, close the gap in between. The entire procedure can usually be done in just a single trip to the dentist’s office. It typically requires no anesthesia and the patient can return to normal daily activities that same day (although the dentist may suggest that the patient exercise caution with the newly bonded teeth for the first few days). And the best news of all: bonding is surprisingly affordable!

Advantages of Dental Bonding

Once you learn more about dental bonding, you’ll understand why it’s such a popular cosmetic procedure. Here are just some of the advantages of bonding:

• The bonding material is strong. The durable composite resin used in the dental bonding procedure is strong. In fact, most bonded teeth will last between 5 and 10 years before the bonding needs to be replaced. And when it does need to be replaced, you’ll just need to make a single trip to the dentist’s office to have it done.
• Dental bonding is affordable. Unlike other procedures that close gaps between teeth – such as orthodontics, for example – dental bonding is relatively inexpensive and easy for most people to afford.
• Preparing teeth for bonding is minimal. Some other cosmetic procedures – like porcelain veneers, for instance – require removal of enamel from the surface of the teeth before the procedure can begin. Once that enamel is removed, it never grows back. But dental bonding requires only a minimal amount of preparation, so much less of the natural tooth surface is affected.
• Caring for bonded teeth is simple. In fact, all you need to do is simply to continue to follow your normal daily hygiene routine. It is important to remember, however, that the composite resin material used in dental bonding can be stained in much the same way as normal teeth. So you should avoid consuming too many foods and drinks that can cause stains (such as coffee, tea and red wine, for example). And as durable as the bonding material is, keep in mind that it’s not indestructible That means any activity that can hurt your teeth can damage your bonding as well. For this reason, you should never use your teeth as a tool and avoid eating foods that are too hard or sticky.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Bonding?

Of course, only your dentist can tell you for sure whether or not you are a good candidate for dental bonding. But generally speaking, as long as you are in good oral health, you can probably have your teeth bonded. If you do have dental issues – like cavities or gum disease, for instance – those problems will have to be resolved before your dentist will perform dental bonding or any other cosmetic procedure.

Other Uses for Dental Bonding

While it’s true that bonding is often a great choice for closing gaps in between teeth, there are other good reasons to have your teeth bonded. What follows is a list of issues that are commonly resolved with dental bonding:

• Chipped teeth
• Cracked teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Worn-down teeth
• Slightly crooked teeth
• Badly stained teeth

The composite resin material used in dental bonding also protects the patient’s teeth from further damage. In fact, the composite creates a smooth surface on the tooth, eliminating many of the tiny crevices where bacteria collects. That bacteria can eventually lead to tooth decay. But the smooth surface of bonded teeth prevents that from happening. That’s why dental bonding is often recommended for patients who are cavity prone.

People with badly stained teeth that can’t be whitened with the usual whitening products are also good candidates for bonding. Teeth often become stained because the enamel layer of the patient’s teeth has become eroded. When this happens, the dentin layer that lies underneath the enamel becomes more visible, and because that dentin layer is typically yellow or gray in color, the patient’s teeth take on a yellowish shade that can’t be whitened. Fortunately, the composite resin material used in bonding can be created in any shade that the patient prefers, which means that even people with damaged enamel can enjoy whiter, brighter, healthier smiles with dental bonding!

To learn more about this remarkable cosmetic procedure, and to find out if you’re a good candidate for bonding, schedule an appointment with your dentist today. Whether you need dental bonding for gaps in between teeth, have minor dental issues that need to be repaired, or simply want to enjoy all the benefits of a more beautiful smile, bonding just may be the solution you’ve been searching for!