Comprehensive Guide to Composite Bonding

A dental flaw, regardless of how minor it is, has the potential to cause numerous problems. Besides affecting your oral function, it can make you feel self-conscious about your smile.

Whether your tooth is chipped, cracked, stained, or misshaped, you can restore your beautiful smile through composite bonding.

Composite bonding is the process of applying and shaping tooth-colored resin to a damaged tooth to improve its appearance and repair damage. The procedure of dental bonding is typically straightforward, quick, and inexpensive.

It’s commonly used to address multiple dental imperfections such as:

• Tooth decay
• Tooth fractures, chips, or cracks
• Tooth discoloration, yellowing, or staining
• Unhealthy tooth gaps and spaces
• Worn-out tooth
• Uneven or misshapen tooth

Pros of Dental Bonding

Composite bonding is gaining popularity among dental patients for several reasons, including:

• Minimal preparation

Unlike most dental procedures, dental bonding is typically simple and quick. There isn’t much preparation. Besides, bonding is completed in a single appointment – you won’t have to wait for weeks or months to enhance your smile.

• Preserves your tooth – Less invasive

Dental veneers and crowns are close alternatives to dental bonding. Unfortunately, for these procedures, some of your tooth’s enamel has to be shaved down to accommodate the veneer and crown.

In the long run, it can weaken the tooth and make it vulnerable to decay. In contrast, getting a composite bonding requires very little to no tooth shaving. This preserves more of your tooth’s structure, thereby maintaining your oral health.

• Affordable

Teeth bonding is one of the most reasonably priced dental procedures. Compared to alternative restorative treatments for teeth damage such as veneers and crowns, composite bonding is less expensive.

While the cost can differ based on several factors, it’s unlikely to exhaust your savings. It could be covered by your insurer. Confirm with your dentist near you and the insurer about your coverage.

• Relatively durable

With proper installation and care, composite bonding is a relatively durable investment. On average, composite bonding lasts for five to 10 years.

It’s worth noting the bonding is not as strong or hard as the natural tooth’s enamel. Therefore, it can chip, wear down, get stained, or break when exposed to harsh conditions.

• Fairly Painless

Getting dental bonding is a relatively pain-free procedure. Unless the procedure involves filling a cavity, you might not even need anesthesia. Very little to no enamel shaving is required, making it quick and painless.

• Enhanced Smile

The composite resin used during bonding is customized to look like your natural teeth. When properly applied and polished, someone can’t notice that you have had cosmetic treatment.

• Enhanced bite function

While composite bonding isn’t as strong as your natural tooth, it adds strength to a damaged tooth, consequently boosting your bite function. To prevent damage to the bonding, avoid chewing hard foods such as nuts and ice cream. Similarly, avoid biting on nails or using your teeth to open cans or cut things.

• Easy to maintain

Once your tooth is bonded, you will continue taking care of it as you do with the rest of your natural teeth. To care for the bonded tooth:

• Brush and floss daily
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Avoid harsh or abrasive dental products
• Wear a mouth guard for contact sports and bruxism
• Avoid chewing hard, crunchy, or sticky foods.
• Avoid sugary and acidic foods and beverages
• Schedule routine dental checkups and cleanings

Cons of Dental Bonding

• Only suitable for minor tooth damage.
• Not as long-lasting or stain-resistant as alternative treatments such as veneers and crowns.
• It’s more susceptible to damage than the natural tooth or alternative dental treatments.

Types of Dental Bonding

Typically, dental bonding procedures can be categorized into two major types, including:

1. Adhesive Bonding – It’s a procedure that involves using an etchant (acid or corrosive chemical) to roughen the tooth. An adhesive is then applied to the damaged tooth and hardened using a curing light.
2. Direct composite bonding – It’s the most commonly used method. It involves applying a tooth-colored composite resin to the damaged tooth and molding it to the desired results. The resin is cured with UV light. The bonded tooth is shaped and polished to provide natural results.

Schedule an Appointment

Are you interested in dental bonding or other cosmetic dental procedures? Contact Advanced Dental of Westport, CT, to book your appointment today.