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Dental Bonding: A Complete Guide and Explanation

Posted on: 13 Sep, 2022

What is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding also known as teeth bonding is a cosmetic procedure done to repair chips, close gaps or transform the shape or colour of teeth. It is a cosmetic dental procedure done to enhance one’s smile. It also helps with fixing discoloured or cracked teeth to lengthening one if it’s shorter than the rest. The bond refers to a composite resin material used in the procedure. This tooth-coloured resin closely matches the natural colour of your teeth. It is applied and hardened with special ultraviolet light to ‘bond’ the material and enhance the overall appearance.

Types of Dental Bonding

Depending on the material used in the procedure, dental bonding is broadly categorised into two types: Adhesive bonding and Direct composite bonding. Let us understand each in more detail.

Adhesive Bonding: Adhesive bonding is the process of restoring your tooth by attaching a separate material to your tooth with the help of an adhesive. Adhesive bonding is used for fillings, porcelain veneers, crowns without any metal, and inlays/onlays.  following steps:

  • Dentist will apply an etchant to your tooth
  • A liquid bonding agent will be used along with an adhesive
  • The restorative material made with tooth-coloured resin will be applied and molded on your tooth
  • The resin will be hardened with an ultraviolet curing light
  • The dentist will further give shape to your teeth to match them with the rest

Direct Composite Bonding: Direct dental bonding is a quicker method as more commonly used in dental bonding procedures. The restorative material is directly applied to your tooth and later shaped to look like your natural teeth. The hardening method involves the use of curing light. Direct composite bonding is used to repair chipped teeth, fill cavities or reduce small gaps within your teeth. This process involves a lot more precision because the bonding restorative material is placed on your teeth directly. The process gets done within one visit unless you require additional extensive treatments.

Composite dental bonding uses putty-like composite resin on your teeth. The material is molded onto the teeth, hardened with a high-intensity light and smoothened/polished to match with other teeth.

Depending on the treatment you require, the method will differ. There is a third kind of bonding called Indirect Composite Bonding.

Indirect Composite Bonding: Indirect composite bonding is done for severely damaged teeth that cannot be mixed with direct restoration material application. The dentist will take an impression of the patient’s tooth on their first visit and send it to technicians to make the restorations in a lab. These customised restorations are then cemented on the patient’s tooth. It is a much longer process with multiple seating.  It is used for replacing decayed tooth or crown restoration.

Pros and Cons of Dental Bonding

If you want to get a dental bonding procedure, it is also important to note its advantages and disadvantages.

Pros: Although it is a cosmetic procedure, dental bonding looks natural and retains the original shape and colour of your teeth. It is not a time-consuming process as restorations can be placed on the same day. Dental bonding is not an invasive process, a very less amount of your teeth’s enamel is removed. It is also very easy and the least expensive in comparison to all cosmetic dental treatments. Unless there is a cavity filling or intensive treatment, you do not even need anaesthesia.

Cons: The major cons of dental bonding come down to its durability. The composite resin used in the procedure is not stain-resistant. It also does not last very long unless it is a veneer or crown. Even the bonding material can break and chip easily. Dental bonding works only for small cosmetic changes or temporary corrections. The effects are not long-lasting.

How Much Does Dental Bonding Cost?

The cost of getting a dental bond depends on how much work is needed on your teeth. Extensive treatments that involve multiple sessions and artificial replacements will cost more than direct composite bonding. Cosmetic advanced treatments like metal-free veneer and crowns are usually on the expensive end. On average, dental bonding can cost between Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 20,000 per tooth. The prices may also vary on the locality, expertise and material cost for every region.

You can check out ID enterprises, an online dental store to check out the cost of basic materials required for dental bonding.

Alternative Methods to Improve Your Smile

Whitening: If your teeth have discolouration, teeth whitening is the simplest process to enhance them and sparkle your smile. Teeth whitening uses bleach to make your teeth brighter. While there are several products in the market that you can use regularly for brightening your teeth, a dentist treatment can bring out the pearly whites within 1 or 2 sessions.

Braces: If you cannot smile confidently because of crooked or ill-shaped teeth then an orthodontic treatment with braces can help. Braces help in aligning and straightening your teeth to get them in a uniform position. Braces are no more limited to young children. Even if you have minor placement issues with your teeth, braces can help to fix them.

Crowns: Dental crowns are caps placed atop damaged teeth to protect them. The crowns restore the shape of teeth and are generally used when fillings don’t work. A crown restores a tooth’s shape, size and appearance. If your tooth is broken, severely discoloured or worn down, a crown can help fix it. Crown is also used post a root canal procedure.

Veneers: Dental veneers are customised shells or porcelain laminates that improve the look of your teeth and thus your smile. Dental veneers are also available in different materials like porcelain or resin composite. They are popularly used for chipped and cracked teeth or also to fill in gaps between one’s teeth. These thin covers also protect the teeth from future damage.

If you are looking to stock up on some procedural material, you must check ID Enterprises.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. When is dental bonding recommended?

Dental bonding is done to improve the overall appearance of one’s teeth. If you have severely damaged/decayed teeth, a lot of gaps between them, or irregularly shaped teeth, you should opt for dental bonding treatments. Dental bonding includes a variety of treatments like fixing crowns and veneer, shaping and fixing chipped enamel, discolouration etc. If you want to repair and protect your teeth from damage or if you are unable to smile confidently because of your teeth’s structure, then you can opt for dental bonding.

2. What happens before and after teeth bonding?

Teeth bonding helps to repair a specific dental issue. Before a teeth bonding procedure, your dentist will take a complete X-ray and examine your teeth and gums, if they are eligible for a procedure. They will discuss your cosmetic needs and advise a line of treatment. At the time of the procedure, they roughen the tooth area to work upon. Then apply a liquid which works as a bonding agent to stick the composite resin material over your teeth. Once the material is applied, the dentist will mold it and give it a shape. The last part is hardening the material by using a special ultraviolet curing light. Post a teeth bonding process, you will notice a difference in their appearance.

3. Is dental bonding painful?

The main process of dental bond application is on the teeth’s surface so it will be completely painless. The surface of our teeth is not very sensitive so there is no need for anaesthesia. However, if you are repairing a cavity, it can cause a bit of pain. If you have tooth sensitivity, then you can experience slight pain.

4. What is the recovery time after dental bonding?

During a dental bonding treatment, a tooth-coloured resin will be applied to your teeth and it requires barely 30 mins to 1 hour for it to completely dry. There is no specific recovery time as you can resume to your daily activities immediately. But you just need to follow some basic care to ensure it lasts long.

5. Do teeth need special care after dental bonding?

Dental bonding aftercare is very similar to your regular dental hygiene. For the first couple of days, avoid coffee, tea, wine and other beverages. Also, avoid hard candies and foods that have artificial coloring as they can cause stains. Follow good oral hygiene like brushing twice a day, flossing once a day and regular dental check-ups. You should also have a scheduled dental cleaning every 6 months.

6. How long does dental bonding last?

Dental bonding durability depends on the quality of the material being used by your dentist. Composite resin is not as strong as a natural tooth. But it can last up to 5 years on average. A dental bonding treatment can typically last up to 10 years as well.