what is tooth bonding?
What is tooth bonding?
Chipped or discolored teeth can be embarrassing. Luckily, there are a number of cosmetic surgery treatments that can help you restore the natural look of your teeth. One such treatment is tooth bonding: a practice where a dental clinic and specialist applies tooth-colored resins with the help of adhesives or high-intensity light to restore the shape, size and color of teeth. It is called tooth bonding because it entails literal bonding of the resin to the surface of the teeth. Here is a brief account of the procedure (its uses, application and pros and cons) to help you understand its benefits better.
Uses of tooth bonding
Dental bonding can fix a number of dental problems some of which include but are not limited to:
- Repair and restoration of a decayed tooth with composite resin.
- Reconstruction of a cracked or chipped tooth
- Enhance the appearance of a discolored tooth
- Close gaps between teeth
- Add material to make teeth look longer
- Modify the shape of teeth
- Protect the exposed portion of a tooth due to receding gum
Tooth Bonding Procedure
Tooth bonding is accomplished through two main procedures: adhesive bonding and direct composite bonding. In both methods, use of anesthesia is barely required and you can go back to your normal day-to-day activities right after the procedure.
During a direct composite bonding procedure, your dentist utilizes tooth-colored resins to repair and restore the look of teeth that are damaged. The composite material is directly applied to the surface of the teeth and is used to build on to the tooth for enhancement. Direct composite bonding is normally used to fill cavities, close teeth gaps, repair cracks in teeth and build-up tooth structure to enhance its look.
Adhesive bonding, on the other hand, is the process of attaching a restorative material to a tooth. This method is usually used for treatments like inlays/Onlays, bridges, crowns, and porcelain veneers.
Your dental clinic and it’s specialist will choose any one of the treatments based on your individual needs.
Pros and cons of the tooth bonding process
The many benefits of composite materials outweigh the cons. The most prominent benefit of tooth bonding is perhaps its transparency due to tooth-colored material that easily blends in with the teeth to give them an all-natural look. The major con could be the limited life of the composite material which gives it an expiration date. However, there are bonding materials that last more than five-ten years.
In addition, smile makeover treatments done through composite bondings are much cheaper and effective as compared to other temporary fixes. They are also quick so you can go right back to your daily routine without a hurdle.
Final thoughts:
Generally, tooth bonding offers a quick, affordable and effective solution as compared to many other smile makeover treatments. Usually, the treatments can be completed in a single visit and you probably won’t have to miss much work. The best way to approach tooth bonding is through a proper consultation where your dental specialist will analyze your dental requirements and suggest a smile makeover treatment based on that analysis.
