What is dental bonding?
Dental bonding is where we bond a tooth-colored filling or filling material over the front or inside of a tooth to repair it or make it look better.
When is dental bonding recommended?
Dental bonding is recommended in a couple of different situations. One of the most common is when you have a cavity that needs to be filled. Sometimes we use it on the front of teeth to make teeth look a different shape, color, or just look better. Those cases sometimes involve antibiotic stains, coffee or tobacco stains that people want to get rid of, or making a tooth look a different shape or bigger. Sometimes people are born with smaller or misshapen teeth that can be redone.
What are the advantages of dental bonding?
Dental bonding is a very conservative way of repairing and fixing things. It also doesn't include some of the problems we see with metal restorations or metal fixes, such as teeth splitting or breaking over time or metal affecting the rest of your body.
Do bonded teeth look natural?
Bonded teeth can look anywhere from okay to amazing depending on how they're done, what materials are used, and what we start out with before we start working.
Which is better, bonding or veneers?
It really depends on your individual situation. For example, if you want to whiten your teeth and they are starting really dark, veneers might be chosen because they can block the dark underlying color. For young people needing a chip or fracture fixed, bonding is a quick and simple way to do that. We usually start more conservatively with bonding.
What takes place during the dental bonding procedure?
During a bonding procedure, we typically remove decay, clean out the cavity, and backfill the hole. For cosmetic reasons, we prepare the tooth surface to receive the bonding, which involves cleaning, applying a bonding agent, and sculpting the material to look lifelike.
Is dental bonding painful?
No, dental bonding is not typically painful. The most you might experience is some gum soreness, but that is rare. The dramatic change bonding can achieve is phenomenal, and I don't remember the last time someone reported pain afterward.
Can I brush my teeth and floss after bonding?
Absolutely. Unlike metal fillings, dental bonding allows you to eat, brush, and floss immediately after the procedure. Just avoid chewing nails or similar activities.
Are there any special instructions for caring for bonded teeth?
The main instruction is to avoid things that can stain the bonding, such as coffee, tobacco, and red wines. Bonding can stain at the interface, similar to the gap between tiles or carpet seams. Avoiding staining agents helps prolong the life of your bonding.
How long does dental bonding last?
The lifespan of dental bonding depends on the situation, such as the size and purpose of the bonding. In appropriate situations, bonding can last years, with some cases lasting up to 35 years, comparable to or better than a crown.
Does insurance cover dental bonding?
Insurance often rejects bonding for aesthetic reasons, but typically accepts it when decay or pathology is present. It's best to discuss your situation with our financial coordinator for an estimate, though insurance decisions can be unpredictable.