The purpose of caring for our teeth is not only to maintain their health but also to maintain a clean and aesthetic smile. A few things can ruin your day as fast as an imperfect smile. A broken chipped, or discolored tooth can cause you to feel discomfort as you interact with others. For this reason, many people go to the dentist looking for options to correct these imperfections and improve their smiles. Dental bonding is a quick and simple cosmetic procedure used by dentists to correct dental complications affecting your aesthetic appearance.

The dentist attaches a tooth-colored material to your tooth enamel, making it look natural and uniform to other teeth. You can receive bonding for one or multiple teeth depending on the nature of your condition and desired results. You cannot solve all your dental problems with bonding. Therefore, it would be best to visit a dentist who can assess our condition and determine if this is the proper procedure to improve your smile. Understanding the bonding procedure and its advantages and disadvantages will help you decide whether or not to go through with it.

What is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is a cosmetic technique used to improve the appearance of your teeth. Although this procedure can address a few issues regarding your teeth’ appearance and function, it is not a treatment for structural tooth complications. Tooth bonding is often focused on the front teeth, and the dentist uses a composite resin material to make minor fillings on cracked, chipped, or discolored enamel. A composite is a material that mimics the color of your natural teeth and is molded to fit the desired shape.

Bonding is a quick and effective way to improve your smile. However, the procedure is not suitable for everyone. If you wish to repair minor chips or mild discoloration of your enamel, the bonding procedure may be a great way to solve this problem. However, there are standard care practices that you must follow to ensure the bonded teeth remain in the right condition. Bonding your teeth is not an alternative to oral hygiene and dental visits.

Reasons for Tooth Bonding

Dental bonding is a purely cosmetic procedure. Your dentist could recommend this procedure to correct the following dental flaws:

  • Tooth discoloration. A healthy smile is on every person's wish list. There are several reasons why our teeth could darken. Dentists can control some reasons, like alcohol consumption and smoking, while others are out of their control. If you want to change the outlook of your discolored teeth, your dentist can recommend dental bonding.
  • Tooth chipping. The enamel is a tough outer layer of our teeth and is very strong. However, the strength of your enamel is limited, and excessive force can cause the tooth to chip. Tooth chipping is caused by teeth grinding, biting hard objects, or dental accidents. Bonding is one option to restore the tooth's appearance and function.
  • Closing gaps and spaces. Gaps between your teeth are the unwanted spaces that appear following irregularly grown teeth. Gaps between your teeth not only affect your appearance but can have detrimental effects on your overall oral health. Unwanted spaces between teeth may be caused by periodontal disease, missing teeth, or natural skeletal development. With tooth bonding, the dentist can help close the gaps in your teeth and improve your outlook.
  • Lengthening uneven teeth. A broken tooth could appear shorter than the rest, which affects your smile. You can undergo cosmetic edge bonding if you want to improve your appearance by lengthening the tooth.
  • Fix crooked teeth. Crooked and misaligned teeth are prevalent among adults and children. Genetic heredity, poor dental habits, and prolonged dysfunctional habits are common causes of misaligned teeth. Your dentist may recommend dental bonding if you have a few misaligned teeth and want to achieve a uniform look.

The Dental Bonding Procedure

Before assuming that bonding is the right option for your cosmetic dental needs, you need to understand several things. First, bonding works best when placed in the mouth areas with low bite pressure. Therefore, the doctor would recommend this procedure for the front teeth. Another thing you need to understand is that these restorations are helpful for teeth with minor damage. If you have extensive decay or damage to your teeth, it would be best to go for other cosmetic procedures like veneers.

You did not have to figure out the issues of bonding suitability on your own. During your initial dental appointments, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums to determine your eligibility for the procedure. If you have gum disease or tooth decay, you may need to treat these complications before bonding. The bonding process involves the following steps:

  • Shade selection. Dental bonding is available in different colors, and the shade that matches your teeth must be selected before the dentist makes your restorations. The shade selection involves holding each color against the light until you arrive at the right one.
  • Tooth preparation. Your dentist will clean your teeth and roughen the surface to avoid the porcelain sliding off. If you need adjustments like tooth trimming, the dentist will do it at this point in the procedure.
  • Acid etching. After roughening and trimming the tooth, your dentist will apply an acidic tooth condition on the exposed part and leave it for up to twenty minutes before washing it off.
  • Application of the bonding agent. The liquid material will be applied to the tooth and spread with a thin brush to ensure evenness.
  • Curing the bonding agent. Once the bonding agent has been applied to the desired areas, the dentist will use a blue UV light to activate a catalyst that hardens the material. Your dentist will then polish the material to a natural shine.

Pros and Cons of Dental Bonding

Before settling for dental bonding, it is essential to understand the benefits and disadvantages of the procedure to ensure you make the right decision. Cosmetic dental bonding offers a variety of benefits when compared to other cosmetic procedures, including:

  • Minimally invasive. Many people have a low tolerance for pain and discomfort. Therefore, pain is a major concern when undergoing a dental procedure. Although veneers and crowns may significantly alter your tooth enamel, dental bonding doesn’t require enamel removal. Additionally, your dentist will not work anywhere near your nerves. Mostly, anesthesia is not even necessary during this procedure.
  • Versatile. There is no specific indication for dental bonding. Your dentist can recommend this procedure to conceal various tooth imperfections, including chips, gaps, cracks, and discoloration. This saves you the time and money needed to undergo different procedures.
  • Cost-effective. Dental bonding is one of the least expensive cosmetic dental procedures available. However, you will still enjoy quality results that last for years.
  • Quick treatment. The entire cosmetic bonding procedure can take thirty to sixty minutes for every tooth. If you have several crooked, chipped, or broken teeth, bonding is a perfect alternative to changing the appearance of these teeth. Tooth bonding is a suitable alternative if you want a perfect smile today and have no patience for long cosmetic procedures.
  • Natural smile. The composite material used for dental bonding mimics your tooth color, making your smile look natural. Even for minor imperfections, you can visit your dentist for adjustments and leave with a perfect and natural smile.
  • Protective for your teeth. Cosmetic tooth bonding forms a seal between your tooth enamel and outside factors. Therefore, the composite material protects your teeth from bacteria and other factors that could cause further damage. However, you must always maintain high oral hygiene standards to keep the bonding longer.

Although dental bonding is an excellent solution for many people with minor dental flaws, the procedure is unsuitable for everyone. Some of the cons associated with tooth bonding include:

  • Risk of separation. A bonded tooth has two parts: natural tooth enamel and porcelain restoration. The most significant concern for many people who have undergone bonding is the risk of separation. If you bite down on hard foods or grind your teeth, the restoration could separate from the tooth.
  • Longevity is short-lived. Although bonding can provide a perfect smile like veneers, the procedure can only last a few years. Veneers, on the other hand, could serve you for up to twenty years with proper care.
  • The bonding material is fragile. After dental bonding, you must watch what you put into your mouth. Habits like chewing on ice or other hard foods could cause chipping of the bonding material. This could distort the smile you have paid to achieve.
  • Low resistance to staining. While tooth bonding helps you achieve a white pearly smile, you must work to maintain it. The bonding material is easily stained. Therefore, staining is inevitable if you are a chronic smoker or drinker of wine.

Care for Bonded Teeth

How long you maintain a beautiful smile after bonding significantly depends on how well you care for the bonded teeth. The following are some of the ways through which you can preserve the bonding on your teeth:

  • Proper oral hygiene. The bonding procedure leaves you with a perfect smile. However, you must maintain it. Bonding lasts longer when clean. Therefore, you must practice proper hygiene, including regular brushing and flossing. This helps keep bacteria off of your teeth to avoid further damage.
  • Watch your diet. The health of your teeth is a direct reflection of what you eat. After bonding, you must avoid starchy or sugary foods that could cause further decay. Additionally, you must avoid chewing hard foods, which could cause chipping or separation of the bonding material. You should also put some habits like smoking behind you if you wish to maintain the appearance of your bond.
  • Professional care and maintenance. Even with bonded teeth, regular dental visits are crucial. Professional maintenance aids in keeping the restorations new and shiny. During your dental check-ups, you can undergo professional cleaning to address stains in areas that are not easily reached with regular hygiene practices.
  • Watch your toothbrush and toothpaste choices. After the bonding procedure, it would be best to use toothpaste meant for composites. Regular toothpaste could be abrasive on composites, causing them to appear dull or stained. Additionally, you should avoid using a hard bristled toothbrush since it could cause chipping and destruction of the bond.
  • Be gentle on your teeth. You might encounter packages and bottles that need opening. Using your teeth as a tool is detrimental to bonding.
  • Avoid alcohol. Your dentist cures the bonding material with blue UV light to make it strong. However, the molecular structure of dental bonding is easily distorted by alcohol. Therefore, limiting your alcohol consumption will help maintain the proper condition of your bond. Alcohol can also cause a dry mouth, leading to tooth decay and other oral health complications. When you purchase mouthwash, you must ensure it doesn’t contain alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions on Dental Bonding

When your doctor recommends dental bonding to restore the appearance of your teeth, you may have many questions lingering in your mind. The following are some frequently asked questions about dental bonding:

Can a dentist fix my child’s chipped tooth through bonding?

Yes. Cosmetic dental bonding is not only for adults. A skilled dentist can restore the beauty and function of your child’s teeth through this procedure. The dentist will analyze the child’s teeth and pick a shade that matches your tooth color to achieve a natural look.

Is the tooth bonding procedure uncomfortable?

Teeth bonding is a simple, non-invasive procedure and one of the most comfortable restorations you can receive. The only change a dentist needs to make to your teeth is to roughen the surface before applying the conditioning substance. Since the structure of your tooth remains the same throughout the bonding procedure, you will not experience pain or discomfort.

Can I reshape my teeth with dental bonding?

Yes. Bonding is a great way to reshape your teeth. During the bonding procedure, the dentist can increase the length or width of your teeth to meet your desired size and shape. By reshaping your teeth, they appear more natural.

Is the bonding procedure reversible?

Yes. Since the dentist applies bonding without removing your tooth enamel, you can reverse the procedure. If you want to change the appearance of your teeth or opt for a different cosmetic procedure, you can easily remove the bonding. While most patients are often satisfied with their outlook after bonding, some consider this procedure a temporary solution while planning for long-term improvements.

How long does dental bonding last?

A dental bonding procedure is natural looking, effective, and durable. Although there is no set time frame for how long the restoration can last, you can maintain a natural and beautiful smile for several years. You can increase the durability of your bonding by practicing proper oral hygiene, avoiding foods that can damage your teeth, and visiting your dentist regularly.

Can you do home bonding?

Although several home kits are available for teeth bonding, this type of bonding is not as effective as the one you receive at a dental office. Additionally, you must understand that home bonding kits are meant for minor cases and don’t have the tools to restore significant tooth complications. Sometimes, bonding is not a suitable procedure for your dental issues. Therefore, it would be best if you visited your dentist to receive a proper diagnosis of your condition and a recommendation on whether bonding suits you.

Are there alternatives to dental bonding?

Tooth bonding is not the only way to alter the appearance or shape of your teeth. Although dental bonding will mask the decay or damage, you will need other repair forms if your teeth have extensive damage. If you are exploring other cosmetic options, you can opt for porcelain veneers if you are exploring other cosmetic procedures to cover up your chipped, broken, or discolored teeth. Veneers are a more durable and effective procedure compared to bonding.

Find a Skilled La Puente Dentist Near Me

Every person deserves a beautiful smile. However, different factors in our lives cause damage, decay, or discoloration of our teeth. Chipped, broken, or discolored teeth affect your smile and self-esteem. Dental bonding is one of the most common cosmetic procedures used to conceal tooth imperfections, and it involves sealing the tooth enamel with a tooth-colored material.

Your dentist could recommend dental bonding if you have damaged teeth or are searching for a way to restore the natural look of your teeth. Some of the reasons why many people opt for dental bonding are that the procedure is affordable and less invasive compared to other cosmetic dental procedures.

Your oral health is a critical part of your overall health, and you should not entrust it to just any specialist.  Therefore, if you consider undergoing a dental bonding procedure, it would be best to consult with an experienced dentist. At La Puente Advanced Dentistry, we will offer you a complete bonding procedure to restore your damaged teeth and improve your smile. We serve clients requiring cosmetic dental treatment services in La Puente, CA. Contact us today at 626-626-7075 to benefit from our expert dental bonding services.