If you’ve never heard of dental bonding, we have some good news: it’s one of the easiest ways to greatly improve the appearance of your smile in no time at all! The material used in the bonding process is actually a dental resin. This resin is applied by your dentist and can be molded to improve the appearance of your existing natural teeth.
If you suffer from any of the following problems, dental bonding may be the answer you’re looking for:
- Cracked, chipped or broken teeth
- Uneven or misshaped teeth
- Wide gaps in between teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Teeth that are badly stained but can’t treated with a whitening agent
Bonding not only repairs these minor dental problems; it also strengthens the structure of your teeth and protects them against further damage. The dental resin material can be shaded to either match the existing color of your teeth, or to make your teeth look whiter if you choose to have dental bonding applied to several of your tooth surfaces. The bonding procedure is very quick and painless. Best of all, this dental treatment is usually much more affordable than other cosmetic dentistry procedures!
The procedure is simple. Your dentist starts by preparing the surface of the tooth by slightly roughening the surface to allow the dental resin to adhere better to the tooth surface. The next step involves your dentist applying the bonding material to the tooth and literally molding it into shape. An ultraviolet light is used to harden the resin. The final step of the process involves your dentist polishing and buffing the surface of the bonding material to give it the appearance of a natural tooth.
Dental bonding is a great choice for many people. But if you have existing dental issues – such as tooth decay or gum disease, for example – your dentist will want to resolve those issues before performing a dental bonding procedure. Once you have your teeth bonded, the resin material typically stays intact for 4 to 7 years, depending on how well it’s maintained. The bonding material is quite durable, but it can be damaged by foods that are too hard or sticky, so you’ll need to avoid those. And the resin can also be stained in much the same way as your natural teeth, so you should keep that in mind.
If you want a brighter, more beautiful smile without “breaking the bank,” ask your dentist about dental bonding.
