Dental Bonding

What is dental bonding?

If the smile you have isn’t the smile you want, cosmetic dental procedures like dental bonding can help create. Dental bonding–also commonly called tooth bonding–uses a tooth-colored resin to help repair damaged teeth and improve the aesthetics of your smile.

While most problems treated with dental bonding address the appearance of the teeth and not the function, repairing chipped, damaged, or disproportionately-sized teeth with dental bonding can help your alignment and bite and help make the treated teeth stronger. Dental bonding can also help minimize gaps between teeth and brighten discolorations, giving you more confidence in your smile. 

Other benefits of dental bonding include:

• It’s a simple procedure.
• It’s less expensive than other cosmetic procedures.
• It can be done in your dentist’s office.
• There are no major side effects. (You may notice minor sensitivity or discomfort immediately after the procedure, but it generally subsides within a day or so.)
• It doesn’t require anesthesia. (A local numbing agent may be used if the tooth being treated is very sensitive.)

What happens during a dental bonding procedure?

A dental bonding procedure usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes per tooth, so you may need only one appointment for one tooth, but you may need to schedule several appointments if you need more teeth that need treatment.

Here’s what happens during dental bonding:

1. The dentist determines what color resin will be required to match the exact shade of your teeth, so that the bonded tooth looks natural and blends in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.
2. The tooth’s surface is prepared in a process commonly referred to as etching, during which the enamel is roughened. Similar to sanding wood before painting, etching allows the resin to adhere better to the tooth.
3. The dentist forms the resin putty into the right shape and presses it on to the tooth.
4. A special UV light is shined onto the resin to harden it.
5. Once the resin has hardened, the dentist will file down any sharp edges and make sure the newly bonded tooth blends in with adjacent teeth and does not affect your bite.

Who is tooth bonding for?

Tooth bonding can be a great solution for people:

• With aesthetic problems like chipped or discolored teeth.
• Who have teeth that appear too small, too short, or too far apart.
• Of any age.
• Who need teeth repaired quickly. (Dental bonding can be completed more quickly than other cosmetic dentistry procedures like veneers.)
• With teeth stains that do not respond to professional whitening treatments.

Dental problems involving structural damage, severe decay, or issues with occlusion (the alignment of the jaws) will require more in-depth care.

If you aren’t happy with the smile you see in the mirror, the dentists at Castle Dental can help. Find out if you are a good candidate for dental bonding and schedule an initial consultation today! 

How do you take care of bonded teeth?

Bonded teeth need the same quality of care as your natural teeth. With daily brushing and flossing, as well as routine exams and dental cleanings, your dental bonds should last a decade or more. 

It is important to note that while durable, the resin used for dental bonds is not as strong as natural tooth enamel, so it pays to be conscientious about their care. Most dentists will advise you to avoid eating very hard or crunchy things or opening things with your teeth anyway–as they can cause damage to even completely health teeth.

If you have bonded teeth, you’ll especially want to be careful with:

• Crunching ice cubes.
• Metal straws. If you bump your teeth on one, it can chip the bond.
• Crunching hard candy.
• Chewing on plastic or using your teeth to open, tear, or break things.
• Teeth grinding or clenching. You may be prescribed a mouthguard to help protect your new restoration. 
• Drinking very dark or acidic beverages like red wine and coffee. Bonds can be susceptible to staining.
• Teeth whitening. Teeth whitening will not change the color of the resin used for your dental bonds, so if you try to whiten your teeth, the bond may stand out even more.

If your dental bond does not adhere properly to the tooth or comes off, it can be easily replaced with another procedure. 

Tooth Bonding at Castle Dental

For a full complement of cosmetic dentistry services, including dental bonding, visit the Castle Dental office near you. We’re a local-owned, locally-operated dentist providing affordable care for everyone in your family. Our convenient retail locations make it easy to receive the dental services you need without sacrificing quality, and we accept most major dental insurance plans for even less stress.

Get the beautiful smile you deserve with dental bonding from Castle Dental!