If you’re struggling with dental imperfections, you’re likely considering how to best correct them. Occasionally, issues like cracks, chips, gaps, and more cause us to seek help from our dentists. As a matter of fact, your dentist has a variety of treatment options to best help you. For instance, one type of corrective procedure to consider is dental bonding. Dental bonding molds a bit of resin to a tooth or teeth to restore the look and feel of your tooth. That being said, this cosmetic procedure is best for minor issues with little damage or decay.
The Dental Bonding Procedure
You should have an idea of what to expect if you choose to have a dental bonding procedure. Therefore, here are the steps your dentist will use to complete dental bonding.
- Color Matching – Your dentist chooses a color of resin that matches your natural teeth.
- Tooth Preparation – First, he grinds down the tooth to prepare for the application of resin.
- Resin Molding – The dentist molds and shapes the soft resin into the form of your tooth.
- Hardening – To harden the resin in place, the dentist uses a curing light.
- Smoothing – Your dentist polishes and smooths the tooth to make it feel natural.
Advantages
Dental bonding may be the best treatment option for you. There are several advantages to consider:
- Bonding is a low-cost treatment. Dental bonding is often less costly than other corrective options. Crowns, caps, and other procedures are often quite costly. If your concern is about budget, consider bonding.
- There is very little removal of tooth enamel. With bonding, your dentist does not remove any of your tooth’s enamel. Another key point is that keeping your healthy enamel intact is a great advantage of bonding.
- Bonding is a quick procedure. One appointment is generally all that is needed for a dental bonding procedure. Many other procedures take multiple appointments. The procedure is very quick and doesn’t involve any anesthesia in most cases.
- Bonding is relatively painless. Unless the damage is extensive or close to the root, the procedure doesn’t cause much discomfort or pain.
Disadvantages
Some issues may require other options aside from dental bonding.
- There is more risk of separation between your tooth and the resin addition. The resin adheres to your tooth, so it is more easily broken than caps or crowns. Consequently, if you choose dental bonding, it’s important to be careful with how you use your teeth. By and large, this is no more chewing ice or opening packages with your teeth!
- Whitening will not work properly on bonded teeth. Your natural teeth will whiten when you use whitening products and services. However, the resin portion of your teeth will not. Subsequently, this can create a two-tone look to your tooth.
- The resin isn’t as strong as some materials used in other procedures. It’s more susceptible to damage or discoloration due to its porous composite. Therefore, bonding must be replaced more frequently than other procedures.
It is very important to consult your dentist for recommendations on how to best repair your imperfection. Overall, your dentist is the best source of information to make the best decision about your cosmetic repair. Schedule an appointment to discuss options.
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Disclaimer: The information included in this article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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