What Is Cosmetic Dental Bonding?

Teeth are naturally strong. One of the strongest and most durable parts of your body is enamel. However, chipping a tooth is easier than most people think. It does not require an unfortunate accident or punch in the face to achieve. It is even easier to crack a tooth if you struggle with bruxism, tooth decay, or abnormal amounts of acid in your mouth.

 

If you have a cracked or discolored tooth, there are several cosmetic solutions to choose from. Dental bonding is one of the best options to restore your confidence to smile. Life is short; hence, you need to smile while you still have teeth. Dental bonding can help you get that brilliant smile you always wanted.

 

What Is Cosmetic Tooth Bonding?

Dental bonding, also called tooth bonding, is a cosmetic procedure to repair cracked, discolored, chipped, or broken teeth. It can even lengthen a tooth that is shorter than the adjacent teeth. It involves the application of a tooth-colored resin to the surface of the patient’s tooth.

 

The dentist then hardens the resin using a special light, bonding it to the natural tooth and improving the patient’s smile. Dental bonding is one of the least expensive and easiest cosmetic dental procedures. It can be done in a single visit and usually does not require anesthesia unless the dentist fills a cavity.

 

Purpose of Cosmetic Dental Bonding

This cosmetic dental procedure can fix a range of common dental complaints, such as:

 

• Chipped or irregularly shaped teeth
  
   

• Short teeth
  
   

• Gaps between teeth
  
   

• Cracked or fractured teeth
  
   

• Tooth decay or discoloration
  
   

• Exposed roots
  
   

Cosmetic dental bonding is a great alternative for people who do not qualify or are not interested in veneers.

 

How Does It Work?

On your end, little or no preparation is necessary for dental bonding. All you need to do is brush and floss your teeth before visiting your dentist. You should consider getting a professional dental cleaning before your appointment if you are long overdue.

 

Your dentist will first use a shade guide to select a resin color that matches your natural teeth color to begin the procedure. Before applying the liquid that will allow the bonding agent to stick to the surface of your tooth, your dentist will need to roughen the tooth’s surface.

 

Next, the dentist will apply the resin, shape or mold your tooth, and then use ultraviolet light to harden the material. The composite resin is a putty-like material that is moldable into any desired shape. After the composite resin hardens, your dentist may further shape the tooth if necessary.

 

Aftercare

For a few days after the procedure, patients may experience some tooth sensitivity. This is especially so if the dentist removed enamel. To manage the sensitivity, you can take over-the-counter pain medication. You should also consume soft, mild foods that are not too cold or too hot and continue cleaning and flossing your teeth twice daily.

 

Results

The bonding resin is not as strong as your natural teeth. Therefore, you should avoid engaging in activities or doing things that might cause tooth damage. These include chewing on ice, fingernails, pens, and other hard objects such as apples. Dental bonding can last for up to 10 years if you take good care of your teeth.


 

To learn more about cosmetic dental bonding, visit Above & Beyond Dental at our office in Bedford, Texas. You can call (817) 571-1667 today to schedule an appointment.