Your smile is an important part of who you are every day. When your teeth are less than perfect, however, you may not feel comfortable and confident sharing your smile as often as you wish. Fortunately, your dentist can help you find a solution that restores that confidence and also benefits your overall oral health going forward. One such solution is tooth bonding.
What is Tooth Bonding?
Tooth or dental bonding is a simple cosmetic procedure completed right in your dentist’s office. It involves the use of a pliable, putty-like resin material that is applied to the surface of your teeth. This resin matches the coloring of your other teeth as closely as possible, is natural-looking, and is durable.
Dental bonding can last anywhere between three and ten years, with much depending on your oral hygiene habits. At some point, they will need touch-ups or a complete replacement, so regularly scheduling dental cleanings and exams will be beneficial in determining when these needs occur. If you decide to discontinue bondings and go with another option at any time, such as veneers, the bondings are entirely reversible and can be removed.
Tooth bonding is beneficial for those with only minor dental issues and who do not require other extensive procedures and treatments.
Why is Tooth Bonding Beneficial?
There are several reasons why tooth bonding is so beneficial to dental patients looking for a fix for minor dental imperfections. These reasons can be to improve the aesthetics of your teeth and more.
Tooth bonding can:
- Mask discoloration and staining on teeth
- Close smaller gaps or spaces between teeth
- Conceal minuscule cracks or chips in the surface of teeth
- Improve the shaping of different teeth to match the others
- Alter the length or size of a tooth
- Protect parts of teeth showing due to receding gums
In addition, tooth bonding only requires a one-visit treatment and is ideal for those looking for a quick yet effective solution that still looks good. It also can save you money, as other cosmetic dentistry options can quickly add up.
How is Tooth Bonding Applied?
The entire process of tooth bonding is fast, easy, and painless. It also doesn’t require extensive removal of valuable tooth enamel.
The tooth bonding process involves the following steps:
- Color Shading Selection: Before the actual procedure, you and your dentist will review a shade guide and select the resin material that matches most closely with your other teeth.
- Tooth Surface Preparation: As you become comfortable, without the need for an anesthetic, your dentist will gently roughen the tooth’s surface so the bonding will adhere better. The application of a small amount of a liquid conditioner comes next.
- Resin Application and Shaping: Now it is time to add the tooth-colored resin to the prepared surface of your tooth. The resin will be molded to the best shape possible to better enhance your smile.
- Bonding with the Use of Ultraviolet Light: Your dentist will use a high-intensity ultraviolet light to facilitate the hardening or bonding of the resin to the surface of the tooth.
- Inspection and Adjustments: Once the resin bonds and hardens, your dentist will inspect the outcome and make any necessary adjustments.
- High Glossy Polish: As a final step, your dental team will give your new dental bonding a high glossy polish, so it doesn’t appear duller than the rest of your teeth.
The entire tooth bonding process is fast and only requires one appointment to complete, unless you choose this option for a large number of teeth. In that case, you may need to schedule additional appointments.
Steps to Help Make Your Tooth Bonding Last Longer
To keep your tooth bonding looking and performing its best for longer, take the following steps.
- Continue practicing good oral hygiene by brushing gently with a soft toothbrush and carefully flossing.
- Schedule regular bi-annual professional dental cleanings and exams.
- Break the habit of biting your fingernails.
- Avoid biting down on hard items, such as ice, nuts, or hard candy.
- Never use your teeth as tools to open bottles or packaging.
- Avoid foods, beverages, and tobacco that can stain your teeth.
While you may still need occasional touch-ups and replacements, keeping your teeth looking their best every day is possible with these steps.
Ready To Find Out if Tooth Bonding is a Good Choice for You? Schedule an Appointment with Smile Hilliard Today
When it comes to improving your smile and oral health, tooth bonding can be an effective, quick, and minimally-invasive solution to help improve your smile. To find out more and whether tooth bonding is a good choice for you, contact the dedicated team at Smile Hilliard. Call (614) 953-5136 to schedule a consultation, or send us a message through our convenient online contact form.
