Dental Bonding: A Quick Fix for Minor Imperfections
Dental bonding (also known as teeth bonding or composite bonding) is a cosmetic dental treatment where a tooth-coloured composite resin (plastic material) is applied to a stained, crooked or chipped tooth to cover up minor imperfections or fix misalignments.
Although not as well known (yet) as veneers and dental crowns, it is a reasonably priced cosmetic treatment option that will not break the bank and will deliver excellent results.
We predict that it will become a more common and popular dental procedure as more people become aware of it.
What is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is a dental cosmetic procedure in which a dentist applies a natural, tooth-coloured composite resin to teeth that are misaligned, stained, or chipped. The resin bonds with your teeth and restores their appearance.
It is a relatively inexpensive cosmetic procedure, especially compared to other treatment options like veneers and dental crowns.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Bonding?
The benefits of dental bonding include:
- Cost-effective: Compared to veneers and dental crowns, dental bonding is a cost-effective cosmetic treatment option. Despite being more budget-friendly, it doesn’t compromise on the final result.
- Natural looking: The composite resin material used for dental bonding is coloured to blend in perfectly with your natural teeth. Nobody will have any idea that you have had cosmetic dentistry work done.
- Not invasive: Dental bonding usually doesn’t include the removal of tooth enamel, as veneers and dental crowns do. It is a minimally invasive procedure, so anaesthesia is often not required.
- Fast treatment time: Dental bonding is a relatively quick procedure, with about 30-60 minutes of treatment time needed for each tooth. It usually only requires one or two dental appointments in total.
- Versatile: Dental bonding can fix various minor dental issues such as misaligned or crooked teeth, discoloured or stained teeth, cracked teeth and gaps between teeth.
What Does Dental Bonding Treat?
Dental bonding can treat the following dental issues:
- Stained or discoloured teeth: If tooth whitening treatments aren’t effective for you, dental bonding can help cover up any discolouration.
- Crooked or misaligned teeth: The composite resin can help make your teeth a similar shape or size, giving your smile a more even appearance.
- Chipped or broken teeth: Dental bonding can replace any chipped or broken parts of the teeth, as long as you don’t have a lot of tooth loss.
- Shorter or misshapen teeth: The composite resin adds to shorter teeth to make them equal in size to your other teeth and will also help to reshape any misshapen teeth so they don’t look out of place.
- Teeth with slight gaps: If your teeth have small gaps between them, they can be fixed with dental bonding.
Dental Bonding Procedure
The dental bonding procedure includes the following steps:
Initial Appointment for Smile Design
Your initial dental appointment will consist of a smile design discussion, in which your dentist will help design a new smile based on your facial shape and other personal characteristics.
Photos and videos of your mouth and smile will be taken to better understand the dental work that needs to be done, and a treatment plan will be put together.
Choosing the Shade for the Composite Resin
The dentist will help you select the shade of composite resin that blends in best with your natural teeth for the dental bonding procedure. The dentist will ensure that the chosen resin looks natural so that nobody can tell that cosmetic dentistry work has been done.
Dental Bonding Application
Your dentist will prepare your teeth for dental bonding. The surface of your teeth will be roughened, and a bonding solution will be added to the surface.
The composite resin is applied to your teeth, and your dentist will mould it so all your teeth are even and neat.
A blue ultraviolet light will be used to dry and harden the composite resin. Then, the final step will be to shape and polish your teeth and trim the resin if needed.
What is the Difference Between Dental Bonding and Dental Veneers?
Dental bonding and dental veneers treat most of the same dental issues, but there are also some key differences between them.
- Material: Dental bonding comprises of a natural-coloured composite resin, while veneers consist of thin tooth-coloured shells made from porcelain or ceramic.
- Cost: Dental bonding is a more affordable cosmetic treatment option than dental veneers. However, veneers generally last longer and are worth the price.
- Durability: Dental bonding can last up to 5 years, while dental veneers are more durable and can last up to 15 years.
- Aesthetics: The composite resin used for dental bonding blends well with your natural teeth. However, dental veneers are custom-made in a laboratory by highly skilled professionals and look even more natural.
- Treatment time: The total treatment time for dental bonding is relatively shorter than the total treatment time for dental veneers.
FAQs
Dental Bonding Or Dental Veneers?
It is a cheaper option that doesn’t compromise on final results, but it also isn’t as durable as dental veneers.
The final decision depends on your budget, treatment needs, and dentist’s recommendation.
Does Dental Bonding Hurt?
No, in fact, it is less invasive than similar treatments like dental veneers and dental crowns, which usually require your teeth to be filed down.
How Much Does Dental Bonding Cost?
The total cost of dental bonding depends on a few factors, including the number of teeth that need to be treated and the materials used.
However, it is considered a budget-friendly cosmetic procedure with costs ranging from around $250-$350 per tooth.
What Issues Does Dental Bonding Treat?
Dental bonding treats:
- Stained or discoloured teeth
- Crooked or misaligned teeth
- Mishappen teeth
- Teeth with small gaps
What is the Aftercare Involved with Dental Bonding?
It can be more prone to staining and chipping, so it is crucial to follow a good oral hygiene routine to ensure you get the most out of your newly fixed teeth. Here are some ways to take care of your teeth after a dental bonding procedure:
- Floss and brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Limit your red wine and coffee consumption
- Avoid too much chewy or hard foods
- Keep up regular dentist appointments
Atria Dental is a family-owned dental clinic with a friendly and professional team that has years of experience carrying out dental treatments. We understand the importance of our patients and are more than happy to sit down with you and listen to any questions or concerns you may have before beginning any treatment. We put your care and comfort before all else.
To learn more about our other services, please contact us at 02 400 8310 or visit our website: https://atriadentalgordon.com.au/.
