Tooth bonding is the procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material is applied and cured with a special light, in order to eventually fix and restore or improve the person’s smile.
Why Is Tooth Bonding Done?
Teeth bonding is an option to consider:
- To fix rotten teeth (composite resins are used to fill cavities)
- To repair chipped or cracked teeth
- To achieve the pigmentation of discolored teeth
- To close gaps between teeth
- To make teeth appear longer
- To change the tooth shape
- As a cosmetic alternative to amalgam fillings
- To protect the part of the tooth root that is exposed when the gums recede
Bonding Procedure
Preparation: A little preliminary preparation is required for tooth bonding. Anesthesia is usually not needed unless bonding is used to fill a rotten tooth, the tooth needs to be drilled to change its shape, or the chip is not close to the nerve. The dentist will use a color guide to select a composite resin color that closely matches the tooth color.
Bonding process: The dentist will apply a softening liquid, roughening the surface of the tooth. These processes help the bonding material to adhere to the tooth. Tooth-colored, paste-like resin is applied and molded to the desired shape. The material is cured with a bright (usually blue) light or laser. After the material has hardened, the dentist will further smooth and shape the material and then polish it to match the gloss of the rest of the tooth surface.
Completion process: Completion of tooth bonding takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes per tooth.
Due to some of the limiting processes of tooth bonding, some dentists consider it the most appropriate treatment for minor aesthetic changes, short-term correction of aesthetic problems, and correcting teeth in areas where biting action is very low (e.g. anterior teeth). Patients should talk to their dentist about the aesthetic procedure that will work best.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Bonding Treatment
Advantages: The tooth bonding procedure is one of the easiest and cheapest procedures of aesthetic dentistry procedures. Another advantage, unlike custom dental plaques and crowns that must be produced in the laboratory, is the removal of the least amount of enamel. Also, anesthesia is usually not required unless tooth bonding is done to fill a cavity.
Disadvantages: Dental bonding is not as stain-resistant as crowns. Bonding materials do not last as long as crowns, veneers, or fillings, and the material is not as strong. Addition, another disadvantage of bonding materials is that they crumble and break in the tooth.
Due to some of the limitations of tooth bonding, some dentists consider it the most appropriate treatment for minor aesthetic changes, short-term correction of cosmetic problems and correcting teeth in areas where the bite pressure is too low (e.g. anterior teeth). People should talk to their dentist to determine if they are suitable candidates for treatment.
Bonded Dental Care
Patients should avoid habits such as biting nails, chewing crackers, ice, or other hard foods or using their teeth to open things, as the adhesive material may break. If sharp edges are noticed on a bonded tooth or there is a strange feeling in the tooth when something is bitten, it is necessary to consult a dentist immediately. If the patient does not have these habits, it will be sufficient to apply daily oral care routines.
- Brushing the teeth at least twice a day.
- Floss at least once a day.
- Use it once or twice a day with an antiseptic mouthwash.
- Visit the dentist every 6 months.
Longevity of Bonded Teeth
The life of bonding materials for teeth varies according to how much bonding is done and oral care habits. Bonded teeth do not have the same strength as natural teeth and may shorten the lifespan of the person according to some habits. For example, if the person bites hard, the bonding material on the teeth may break. In addition, dark-colored beverages such as coffee, red wine, tea, cola, or smoking cigarettes stain the bonding material more quickly, and it is necessary to repeat the process/replace the bonding materials in a shorter time. Repeating the bonding process or changing the bonding material takes approximately 3 to 10 years.
Tooth Bonding Cost
The cost of bonding teeth may vary depending on where you live. In general, it can range from 500 to 1000 pounds per tooth. Check with your insurance company to find out if the bonding cost can be fully or partially covered.