What changes dental bonding may make to your mouth is an important question if you consider a cosmetic dental restoration. In this article, we look at the matter from an analytical perspective. We explain what you feel about the pre-bonding condition of your mouth and how you look and feel after bonding is done.
Before dental bonding
- First of all, you have seriously discolored teeth at the front. Anyone can see those teeth as soon as you open your mouth.
- You have malnourished teeth. The malnourishment can surface as white patches on your teeth. You need to hide the patches to look good.
- You have yellow teeth that cannot be whitened with any whitening formula.
- One of your front teeth is crooked.
- You have noticeably large gaps between your front teeth.
- You have a broken or chipped tooth. Teeth can be broken by force. Dental caries may also have a hand in it.
- A tooth at the front of your mouth is smaller than the others.
- For some reason, one tooth has lost its enamel layer. The erosion is noticeable. This may also be called tooth decay.
- Gum recession has left the root of your tooth exposed.
After dental bonding
- As part of a high-quality dental bonding treatment, your dentist has applied a composite resin to your teeth, and the discoloration is gone.
- The bonding material has masked your malnourished teeth. The white patches are now behind the mask.
- Having yellow teeth does not have to be the end of the world. Bonding has been able to give them the desired shade of white color.
- Dental bonding can disguise a crooked tooth and make it straight and natural.
- Having large gaps between teeth is called diastema. Many people live with it just fine. But you are not one of them. Dental bonding has worked for you. The resin has filled the gap between teeth to your liking, and the problem is solved.
- Broken teeth, chipped teeth, misshapen teeth, teeth with cracks, and irregularly shaped teeth: all can be corrected through cosmetic dental bonding.
- Having a tooth smaller than other teeth is not uncommon. If you are worried about it, your dentist has the right treatment option. After dental bonding, your small tooth has received a new size. It is not small anymore. It blends with other teeth.
- The areas of the tooth root left exposed by gum recession are covered by dental bonding.
How long does dental bonding take?
Dental bonding is a fast treatment process. You need only one appointment with your dentist to complete your treatment. That is if your teeth are in an ideal condition. If they need cleaning or require to be filled because of severe decay, you may need more time to complete the process.
Your dentist may even need to x-ray your teeth to see the extent of the decay. A straightforward bonding treatment takes a shorter time than getting veneers for your teeth with your dentist.
Do I need bonding or veneers?
Whether you need bonding or veneers should be left to your dentist. Bonding generally corrects minor defects, while veneers go the extra mile. Veneers are an irreversible treatment in which tooth enamel is shaved off. They can treat tooth cracks more effectively than bonding. They do not crack under pressure and are designed to be stainless.
However, veneers are more invasive and expensive than bonding. But remember the fact that you may need to redo bonding if they break or get stained.
How much does dental bonding cost?
Dental bonding is an inexpensive treatment compared with other cosmetic dental treatments available. It costs $200 to $400 per tooth without insurance. This amount does not include any pre-bonding treatment you may need. For example, you may need a composite filling before boding work if you have serious tooth decay. This amount also depends on your dentist’s expertise and your geographical location.
Composite bonding vs. veneers: Costs comparison
Getting veneers is more expensive than getting cosmetic bonding gone. Bonding may cost you as much as $400 per tooth, while most veneers cost $1,000 per tooth. In addition, if you consider that bonding may last up to 10 years, you may find that they are expensive.
Since it is not as strong as your natural teeth, it may break down or chip before that, requiring replacement or service. On the other hand, porcelain veneers are a long-lasting solution for your teeth. They hardly break or stain. Therefore, some people may find veneers less expensive than composite bonding.
How does composite resin bond to tooth enamel?
Bonding composite resin to tooth enamel is a simple mechanical process. Your dentist etches the enamel surface of your tooth and applies a conditioning liquid onto it. That opens up microscopic pockets on the surface. When the dentist applies the bonding adhesive material to the enamel, it penetrates those pockets. Then bonding resin is applied to the adhesive. The resin is cured under ultraviolet light.
Can dental bonding treat enamel loss?
You can use dental bonding for treating enamel loss or enamel erosion of a specific tooth. Your dentist will prepare the target tooth and apply resin material onto it before giving it your desired shape and shade. The resin layer will give the tooth a stronger structure. The layer will also provide the remaining enamel on the tooth a protective layer, thus saving it from aggravating. But it may be wiser to find out why you have lost your enamel and if other teeth also lose their enamel layer.
Dental bonding for gaps
Dental bonding can treat gaps between teeth, including those between your front teeth. Having uncommon gaps between teeth is common. Having gaps between the front teeth is also very common. But if you feel awkward about those gaps, your dentist can help you do resin bonding. You can leave the dental clinic with the gaps minimized or removed just after one short and painless appointment.
How long does dental bonding last?
Dental bonding lasts up to ten years. But they can wear off and break or chip. Excessive consumption of acidic food and sports drinks can hurt them. They may need to be touched up if you do not chew your food carefully, as they are not as strong as your natural teeth. They may even come off your teeth if the bonding adhesive fails. But your dentist can always redo them for you. An average person may require about three redones in their lifetime.
How can I find a dental bonding dentist near me?
You need a prosthodontist to do your bonding treatment. Therefore, ask your dentist – they may be prosthodontists as well. If they are general dentists, their duty is to keep your teeth healthy. They do dental repairs, but what you need for bonding is not repair but restoration. Prosthodontists are trained to do dental restorations. If your dentist is a general dental practitioner, they will refer you to a prosthodontist should you need dental bonding.
Sources:
- International Journal of Medical Science
- Canadian Dental Association
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