Dental bonding using a special tooth, which is a colored resin material which is applied using adhesives and a high intensity curing light. Dental bonding is a form of cosmetic dentistry. Dental bonding can be used to change the shape and color of your teeth. It can also be used for chipped teeth, to lengthen teeth, and to close up spaces between your teeth. Dental bonding can be used for restoration purposes and for improving your teeth.

Which Conditions is Dental Bonding Being Considered for?

There are various dental conditions that dental bonding can be used for. Here are some of them:

• To make your teeth look longer.
• To change the shape of your teeth.
• To repair cracked teeth or chipped teeth.
• To repair decayed teeth and cavities.
• To close spaces between your teeth.
• For discolored teeth.
• An alternative to amalgam fillings.
• Protecting a tooth’s root when gums recede.

What is the Procedure for Dental Bonding?

The very first step of dental bonding is to choose the color for the composite resin to match the color of your teeth. Anesthesia is often not necessary for the dental bonding procedure, unless its being used to fill a decayed tooth.

The next step would be to roughen and etch the enamel of the tooth to be bonded. A conditioning liquid is then applied to the area of the tooth that the dental bond will adhere to. The composite resin will then be placed on the tooth, so that it can be molded to the desired shape and size. Thereafter, a special ultra-violet light or laser will be used to harden the resin. Once the resin is hardened, the dentist will smoothen and polish the tooth to ensure there are no sharp edges and also to match the surface of the surrounding teeth.

Once the dental bonding procedure is complete, its irreversible due to the etching and roughening of the tooth enamel. Depending on where the dental bonding is placed, it can last anything between 2-10 years. This also depends on your overall daily usage.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Dental Bonding

Advantages:

Dental bonding is an easy and least expensive form of cosmetic dentistry. Unlike dental crowns and veneers, which need to be manufactured in a lab, dental bonding can be done in one office visit. Unlike most other procedures, anesthesia is also not necessary unless it’s a case of cavities.

Disadvantages:

Though dental bonding is stain resistant. However, crowns are more stain resistant than dental bonding. Dental bondings are also not as strong as other restorative dentistry methods. Its possible for the bonding materials to break and chip off the tooth.

Caring for Your Teeth After a Dental Bonding Procedure

After a few days after the procedure, you will need to abstain from smoking and drinking. Certain beverages such tea and coffee will also need to be avoided. You will also have to avoid harder foods, and chew and bite with caution, according to Dr. Healy of Lockport Dentistry in Lockport, IL. Your dentist will explain the care that you will need to give to your teeth after the procedure.

Author's Bio: 

Dr. Patrick Healy
Dr. Healy graduated from Northwestern University Dental School. Prior to studying at Dental School, he attended Marquette University. He has been practicing since 1984 and has been at his Lockport location for more than 25 years.