Dental bonding is a fast and effective way to fix cosmetic dental issues. The procedure is performed using tooth-colored resins that are applied directly to teeth and cured with an ultraviolet light.
It takes 30 to 60 minutes to repair a tooth with composite resin. The treatment only requires a single visit to a dentist, and it produces instant results. Dental bonding can be used to fix a wide range of dental issues, like:
- Tooth decay
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Discolored or stained teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Misshaped teeth
- Cavities
- Exposed teeth roots
How dental bonding is done
Local anesthetics are typically not used during composite bonding. The main exception is if the patient's tooth is decayed. Treating tooth decay requires that the dentist use a drill to remove decayed material, and that can be painful if an anesthetic is not used.
The only preparation teeth need for the process is a roughened surface, which is done with an etching solution. Once the tooth has been prepped, the dentist will use a color chart to select a composite that matches the rest of the patient's teeth.
The dentist mixes up the composite, and it is applied directly to the tooth in layers. Each layer is molded and hardened before another layer is applied. When the dentist is satisfied with the results, the tooth is polished to complete the treatment. This gives it a shine like the rest of the patient's teeth. The process should be completed in less than an hour.
The advantages of treating teeth with composite resin include the following:
- Composite bonding is one of the most affordable ways to improve the appearance of teeth.
- The application of composites does not require the removal of enamel.
- Treatments can be completed in a single visit. The patient walks out of the clinic with their smile transformed.
- Composite bonding usually does not require the use of a local anesthetic.
- Repairs made with composite bonding do not require special maintenance.
- Restorations made with dental bonding can last up to 10 years.
- Composites can be color-matched with the patient's teeth, allowing repairs to blend in.
The main disadvantage that comes with composite bonding is that the material is more susceptible to staining than real tooth enamel. Patients should avoid things that stain, like coffee, and practice good oral hygiene to prevent discoloration. Treatment alternatives like veneers or crowns last longer than restorations made with composites.
Taking care of teeth repaired with composites
Maintaining good oral hygiene is all patients need to do to care for repairs made with composites. This includes brushing at least two times a day and flossing once each day. People with teeth that have been repaired with composites should avoid things that could damage said repairs, like biting their nails.
We can restore your teeth
Call or visit our Albany clinic if you have a damaged tooth that needs to be repaired with dental bonding.
Request an appointment here: https://www.elmstfamilydental.com or call Elm Street Family Dental at (541) 393-9196 for an appointment in our Albany office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Google: Dental Bonding in Albany, OR.
Recent Posts
Many patients have dental bonding procedures for cosmetic reasons. However, the treatment is also sometimes used to strengthen teeth that are chipped, cracked, decayed, or have exposed roots.Dental bonding is done with a composite resin that a dentist has color-matched to the natural teeth. The dentist roughens the tooth surface and then applies a conditioning…
Dental bonding has many uses and fixing chipped teeth is one of them. It is typically used to treat a chipped tooth when the damage is minor. More severe damage that affects the inner structures of the tooth usually requires a crown or root canal therapy.While minor chips might not be accompanied by pain or…
There are some cases where a stained or chipped tooth can be fixed with dental bonding or contouring. While these issues can be more severe and so require a different solution, something like an uneven edge or unsightly spot can often be treated without more invasive procedures that can affect the entire mouth.This procedure enhances…
Most people think of cosmetic dental care as a type of care that can only improve the appearance of one’s smile rather than the health of the teeth. The truth is, though, that many cosmetic dental procedures actually do both. Take a further look at four of the top cosmetic dentistry treatments that can enhance…