Are you looking for ways to repair tooth issues or enhance your natural smile? Dental bonding may be a cosmetic dental procedure for you. What is dental bonding and its durability? How strong is dental bonding? Is the process painful? These are all questions the skilled dental team at Babylon Dental Care wants to answer for you. The more well-informed you are about the dental bonding process, the less stress and anxiety you’ll feel when visiting the dentist’s office.
What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure to enhance a person’s natural smile. Dental bonding involves using a colored resin material to fill cavities or change the natural tooth’s size, shape, or color. A dentist can match the color of the resin to a person’s unique tooth color to produce a natural look.
Dental bonding procedures can:
- Fill cavities
- Change the shape of teeth
- Conceal cracks or chips
- Close gaps or spaces between teeth
- Camouflage tooth discoloration
- Protect tooth roots exposed due to gum recession
Communicating with your dentist about your unique aesthetic goals is vital to achieving the best outcome for your dental bonding procedure. If dental bonding suits you, your dentist will take x-rays and inspect your teeth and gums to ensure you are a good candidate for the process.
During the dental bonding process, your dentist uses a color guide to select the composite resin material that closely matches the color of your teeth to ensure that the results blend well and look natural. Next, your tooth needs to be prepped for bonding, which means your dentist roughens the tooth’s surface and applies a conditioning liquid to the surface. This process helps the resin material bond to the tooth. Next, the resin is applied to the tooth and smoothed and shaped to the desired size and shape. During this stage, the resin feels much like a soft putty. To harden the soft resin, your dentist uses a curing light. The light “bonds” the resin to the tooth and hardens it. Finally, the resin gets a polish, giving it a natural look and soft shine.
As with many dental procedures, patients tend to worry about pain and sensitivity associated with the process. Since the dentist is not working around pain-sensing nerves deep within the tooth, dental bonding does not tend to be a painful procedure. Over-the-counter pain relievers are generally enough to help patients cope with temporary tooth sensitivity.
Dental Bonding vs. Veneers
Dental bonding is one method dentists use to even out the color and appearance of teeth, creating a vibrant and even smile that a patient can be proud to show off. However, dental bonding and veneers are two distinct procedures that produce different results. Veneers are custom-made porcelain or ceramic shells bonded to the tooth’s front surface. Adding veneers to natural teeth is a bit more labor-intensive and requires your dentist to remove enamel from your natural teeth. Then, the veneers can be fitted and bonded to the surface. Veneers may require periodic touch-ups. However, the result is a more even and white-appearing smile.
Dental bonding tends to be minimally invasive and cost-effective and can address numerous dental issues and concerns. The procedure is quick, convenient, and relatively painless. Dental veneers are strictly cosmetic and cannot be used to repair teeth. Although they can dramatically change the appearance of a person’s smile, they are not reversible and cost significantly more than dental bonding.
The correct dental procedure for you depends on your dental needs and aesthetic goals. Communicate with your dentist about what you hope to achieve, sharing your overall concerns and desires.
How Strong Is Dental Bonding?
Although dental bonding material is not as strong as your natural tooth enamel, it is tough enough to withstand daily wear and tear without breaking down. Dental bonding composite can last up to ten years with proper dental care and oral hygiene practices.
Caring for dental bonding is just like caring for your natural teeth. Brush and floss twice daily and avoid chewing or crunching on ice or hard foods to help prevent chipping. You’ll also want to keep up with regular dental visits and cleaning appointments.
Want to Explore Dental Bonding? Make an Appointment Today
At Babylon Dental Care, our compassionate team of dental professionals is ready to address all your dental needs, from regular cleanings to dental bonding treatments. We care about your smile and want you to feel confident showing it off. Call (631) 983-6665 today to make an appointment.
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