When Is Dental Bonding the Right Choice?

From minor chips to total tooth loss, there’s a cosmetic dentistry treatment to correct nearly any oral flaw. One of the most versatile is dental bonding. Read on to learn whether this simple, pain-free procedure can help you.

Dental bonding is one of the most common cosmetic dental procedures performed today. The treatment entails applying tooth-colored composite resin, the same material used to fill cavities, to correct all sorts of smile imperfections.

At Laguna Vista Dental in Elk Grove, California, Board Certified Dentists Krystle Fenton, DDS, and Benjamin Radlein, DDS, are experts in repairing a wide range of issues with dental bonding.

They frequently recommend the procedure to:

Repair chips
Close gaps
Improve the shape or color of a tooth

In this blog, Drs. Fenton and Radlein break down the process.

Benefits of dental bonding

Unlike other cosmetic dental treatments, such as porcelain veneers, dental bonding is economical, requires no downtime, and is pain-free.

Other benefits include:

Natural-looking results
Is reversible
Requires only one office visit
It doesn’t damage your natural teeth

Dental bonding allows you to revisit your cosmetic concerns later when you may need or be ready for a dental veneer.

How dental bonding works

Dental bonding restores your tooth using a putty-like substance. The material is custom-colored to match your surrounding teeth and then shaped to mask the flaw.

Your dental bonding appointment should take just 30-60 minutes per tooth. Once complete, the hardened resin becomes a part of your tooth, blending in seamlessly with the rest of your smile.

Dental bonding doesn’t just cover the flaw; it also provides a layer of protection to any weak spots.

Tooth repairs

Along with fixing aesthetic issues, dental bonding can repair early signs of decay and protect exposed tooth roots.

In these cases, dental bonding can help prevent the need for more extensive and costlier procedures down the road.

How long does dental bonding last?

Dental bonding lasts from a few years to a decade. To help extend the life of your restoration, follow these tips:

Don’t bite your nails
Don’t use your teeth to open items like packages
Don’t chew on hard candies, ice, or pens

Limit dark-colored liquids, such as cola, coffee, and wine, to avoid staining.

Caring for your bonded tooth

Your bonded tooth requires only the same care as your other teeth. Brush twice daily, floss at least once daily, and visit us for bi-annual cleanings and checkups.

Ready to transform your smile? Call Laguna Vista Dental today or book an appointment online.