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What is tooth bonding?

Bonding is a composite resin filling that can be placed in the back teeth as well as the front teeth. Composites are the solution for restoring decayed teeth, making cosmetic improvements, and even changing the color of your teeth or reshaping teeth. Bonding will lighten any stains you may have, close minor gaps, and can be used to correct crooked teeth. Basically, bonding will cover any natural flaws through an initial application of a thin coating of plastic material on the front surface of your teeth. After this, your cosmetic dentist will apply a bonding material and sculpt, color, and shape it to provide a pleasing result. A high-intensity light then hardens the plastic and the surface is finely polished.

How is Tooth Bonding Accomplished?

A very mild etching solution is applied to your teeth to create tiny crevices in the tooth's enamel structure. These small crevices provide a slightly rough surface that permits a durable resin to bond materials to your teeth. The resin is then placed on your tooth and high-intensity light cures the resins onto your tooth's surface. Each individual layer of resin hardens in a few minutes. When the last coat has been applied to your tooth, the bonded material is then sculpted to fit your tooth and finely polished.

The resin comes in many shades so that it can be matched to your natural teeth. Due to the multiple layers involved, this procedure will take slightly longer than traditional silver fillings. Typically, bonding takes less than two hours.

Who is a candidate for tooth bonding?

If you have small gaps between your front teeth or if you have either chipped or cracked teeth, you may be a candidate for bonding. Bonding is also used for patients with discolored teeth, uneven teeth, gum recession, or tooth decay. Bonding material is porous, so smokers may find that their bonding will yellow. If you think you are a candidate for bonding, discuss it with your dentist.

What are the Pros and Cons of Tooth Bonding?

Advantages of dental bonding: Bonding has a big advantage when it comes to aesthetics and appearance.  Composites permit your cosmetic dentist to remove only the decayed area of your tooth.  Composite bonding expands just like your teeth and is much less likely to cause cracks in your tooth. Bonding directly to the tooth to provide support, composites can be used to fill in cracks, chips, and gaps. Composites also allow the dentist to match the color of your other teeth.

Disadvantages of dental bonding: Bonding with composites simply costs more in material and time.Or…The material and time involved in bonding results in slightly more cost than traditional silver fillings.

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Dental Bridges   Dental Crowns   Gum Disease Treatments   Root Canals
Tooth Bonding   Tooth Fillings   Teeth Whitening