Dental bonding is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to address dental imperfections such as chipped or cracked teeth or discolorations on the surface of a tooth. It can also help reduce gaps or spaces between teeth. The procedure takes a composite material, either plastic or resin, and bonds it to an existing tooth. It differs from veneers or crowns in that bonding removes little, if any, of the original tooth.
Dental Bonding Procedure
During the procedure for composite bonding, the tooth to receive the bonding is filed down a small amount on its surface in order to give the resin something to adhere to. A tooth-colored composite resin is then placed in the problem area of the tooth. Several layers go on the tooth, with each layer being hardened before the next is applied. This ensures that the restoration will be strong and also allows your dentist to control the thickness and shape of the bonding. Once all the layers have been applied and hardened, your dentist will file down the restoration to the needed shape, then polish it to give it a natural look. Once the procedure is complete, no one will be able to tell where your natural tooth ends and the restoration begins.
Benefits of Dental Bonding
There are several advantages to the dental bonding procedure over other cosmetic solutions. Firstly, it’s a quick procedure. While other dental solutions require two or more visits to the dentist, most composite bonding procedures are completed during one visit, depending on how many teeth are being treated. Secondly, because it’s non-invasive and doesn’t require anything to be sent out of the dentist office to a laboratory, it’s one of the most affordable ways to improve your smile. Finally, as briefly mentioned before, it alters your tooth only a little bit. This keeps your tooth intact as much as possible, retaining its natural structure and strength.