Bonding

Dental bonding is a cosmetic, dentistry procedure in which tooth-colored resin material is used to:

• Repair decayed teeth (cosmetic resins are used to fill small or medicinal cavities)
• Repair chipped or cracked teeth
• Improve the appearance of discolored teeth
• Close spaces between teeth
• Make teeth look longer
• Change the shape of teeth
• Use a cosmetic alternative to amalgam fillings
• Protect a portion of the tooth’s root that has been exposed when gums recede

Little advance preparation is needed for dental bonding. Anesthesia is often not necessary unless the bonding is being used to fill a decayed tooth. Your dentist will use a shape guide to select a composite resin color that will closely match the color of your tooth.

Next the surface of the tooth will be roughened and a conditioning liquid applied. These procedures help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. The tooth-colored, putty-like resin is then applied, molded, and smoothed to the desired shape. An ultraviolet light is then used to harden the material. After the material is hardened, your dentist will further trim and shape it and polish it to match the sheen on the rest of the tooth’s surface. Dental bonding takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete.

Advantages: Dental bonding is among the easiest and least expensive of cosmetic dental procedures. Unlike veneers and crowns, which are customized tooth coverings that must be manufactured in a laboratory, bonding usually can be done in one visit unless several teeth are involved. Another advantage, compared to veneers and crowns is that the least amount of tooth enamel is removed. Also, unless dental bonding is being preformed to fill a cavity, anesthesia is usually not required.

Disadvantages: Although the material used in dental bonding is somewhat stain resistant, it does not resist stains as well as crowns. Another disadvantage is that the bonding materials do not last as long nor are as strong as other restorative procedures such as crowns or veneers.

Call  Urgent Dental Care  at 314-423-0000 for an appointment.