Tooth bonding. Kind of sounds like a bunch of teeth gathered around a campfire singing Kumbaya.
But it’s nothing of the sort.
What Is Tooth Bonding?
Tooth bonding a way to fix teeth that are chipped, discolored, decayed or otherwise ain’t looking so hot. It’s also a way to close gaps between teeth or to change the shape or color of your teeth. And sometimes it’s used to protect part of a tooth root that’s been exposed due to receding gums.
The tooth bonding (or dental bonding) procedure involves applying a tooth colored composite resin to your teeth (though if you want to go for a more festive look, check with your dentist about other color options).
The resin is commonly made from a mixture of plastic and glass. This mixture provides translucency and strength. When tooth bonding is done well it’s difficult, if not darn near impossible, to see a difference between the bonded area and your natural tooth.
The Tooth Bonding Procedure
Tooth bonding is actually a pretty easy procedure.
Your teeth are cleaned.
Then a gel is used to roughen the surface of your teeth. This makes the resin stick better.
The gel is then washed away and the resin is basically painted on your teeth.
Next the resin is hardened using a special light which will bond (see where they get the name “bonding” from?) the resin material to your tooth.
Lastly your dentist will shape the bonding material to the right form, polish it off and you’re good to go!
There’s also a decent chance you won’t even need anesthesia for the procedure. (Though, of course, it depends on your unique situation.) Usually the only times anesthesia is required is if the dentist is working near the nerve, she’s working on a decayed tooth or she needs to do some drilling.
Another Key Benefit…
Other than that, it’s a pretty low key deal that can usually be knocked out in just one visit to your dentist. In fact, the whole procedure often takes less than an hour.
The relative ease of the tooth bonding procedure and speed in which it’s done lead to another key benefit of bonding…
It’s pretty cheap.
At least compared to other cosmetic dentistry procedures anyway.
Keep in mind that tooth bonding is not a permanent solution. Assuming you take relatively good care of your mouth and the bonded area, dental bonding can last from 3 to 10 years.
Find Out if Tooth Bonding is a Good Option For You
To find a dentist near you that specializes in tooth bonding to learn more and see if it’s a good option for you, search our listings here.