Dental bonding can help improve the way your smile looks. In this post, our Orleans dentists share key details about the dental bonding procedure, including how it can help repair gapped or discoloured teeth.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a safe, effective, and non-invasive cosmetic dental treatment. Your dentist applies tooth-coloured composite resin to your teeth, then shapes and polishes it to match the surrounding teeth so it blends in, creating a natural-looking smile.
This process is called 'dental bonding' because the composite resin literally bonds to the tooth.
What Dental Bonding Is Used For
Dental bonding is most often used for cosmetic purposes – to improve the way a chipped tooth or discoloured teeth look, to make teeth appear longer, change their shape or colour, or to close gaps between teeth.
Bonding is also sometimes used as an alternative to silver (amalgam) fillings, or to cover exposed tooth roots due to receding gums.
The Dental Bonding Procedure
When your dentist performs a dental bonding treatment, the dentist applies composite resin to your tooth in layers. A light is used to harden each layer.
After the last layer is hardened, the dentist shapes and polishes it to fit your tooth, resulting in a smooth, natural-looking tooth that complements the rest of your smile.
The Length of The Dental Bonding Procedure
Dental bonding generally takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete. Unlike veneers, which are custom-made in a dental lab and thus require more time, the bonding process can most often be completed in one visit.
The Cost of Dental Bonding
Often, patients we see for dental bonding procedures are concerned about cost. Fortunately, dental bonding is an effective, relatively long-lasting cosmetic procedure. Your specific cost will depend on a number of factors, including:
- Your local area - costs may vary depending on which city your dentist is in, and which dental practice completes the procedure
- Insurance coverage - how much of the procedure will your insurance cover? (May depend on whether your issue is primarily cosmetic or structural)
- Scope of work, where in the mouth your procedure is taking place and the size of the area to be bonded
How Long Dental Bonding Can Last
The composite resin your dentist will use during the bonding process will likely have a lifespan of between 4 and 8 years, and potentially up to 10 years.
How long the effects of dental bonding last can vary depending on your specific case (where in your mouth it’s applied) and how it’s maintained (excellent oral hygiene and attending your regularly scheduled dental visits is key).
To ensure your smile lasts as long as possible, we advise avoiding sugary or acidic foods, as these can wear on your teeth. Though fruit is good for your health, don't forget to brush and floss your teeth soon after eating them so bacteria or plaque do not have the chance to grow. Also refrain from chewing hard candy or ice, biting down too hard or grinding your teeth, since all of these can chip the bonding material.
Your dentist can touch up the composite resin and re-bond it over time if required.