Some men and women fear that any small chip or crack in a tooth will require extensive treatment, like a crown. However, in reality, that is far from the truth. Many cosmetic dental concerns, such as chipped, gapped, misshapen, or discolored teeth, can be addressed with simple dental bonding (composite bonding).
Tooth bonding is a fast and easy in-office treatment that can have similar benefits to crowns or bridges.
Is Dental Bonding Right for Me?
Dental bonding may be appropriate if you have a chipped, cracked, misshapen, or discolored tooth that is otherwise healthy. This procedure can be performed for both cosmetic and practical reasons to improve the appearance of your smile and prevent further damage.
Our skilled cosmetic dentists have years of experience with composite dental bonding. If you are looking for dental solutions, please contact our office to make an appointment.
What Is Tooth Bonding?
Dental bonding is a process where a composite resin is sculpted on and around a tooth to fill in gaps or restore chipped or cracked areas.
It works well for minor cracks, cavities, chips, and mild to moderate tooth discoloration. Tooth bonding can also lengthen individual teeth or adjust tooth contours to make your smile more aligned.
The resin is not as tough as natural enamel, but it can protect your teeth and prevent further damage.
What Is Covered During My Dental Bonding Consultation?
Dental bonding is one of the first choices for treating minor to moderate tooth conditions. This is because it is fast, simple, and highly effective.
When you meet with one of our cosmetic dentists, they will evaluate your tooth condition to determine if bonding is right for you.
If you are interested in tooth bonding, call Rancho Dental at (951) 699-4746 to schedule a consultation.
How Does Dental Bonding Work?
Tooth bonding works in stages. The first stage is a consultation with your dentist. After your dentist confirms that tooth bonding will address your concerns, you can schedule your appointment.
Unlike other cosmetic dental procedures, tooth bonding does not require general or local anesthesia.
During your appointment, your cosmetic dentist matches your tooth color with the specific resin they will use. This means that your resin will blend in with your teeth and look natural.
Once the right colored resin is selected, your dentist will roughen the surface of the targeted teeth and apply a binding liquid. This preparatory step helps ensure that the composite resin clings to your tooth correctly.
The resin is poured over and around the tooth (or teeth) to fill any structural gaps. This can fill minor cracks or cavities and help repair chipped enamel.
Your dentist will mold the resin within your mouth to create the tooth shape you need. Once the molding is complete, the resin will be hardened using UV light.
Unlike enamel, the composite resin can be modified and reshaped after it is dry. Do not be alarmed if the shape of your bonded tooth is not quite right immediately after your procedure.
What to Expect After Dental Bonding
What Is My Recovery Like After Tooth Bonding?
Tooth bonding does not require downtime; however, you should avoid food or drinks that might stain your newly bonded teeth for at least two days. Be careful about staining foods after that.
Staining products may include:
- Coffee
- Fruit juice
- Dark berries
- Tobacco products
- Red wine
- Tea
What Results Can I Expect After Tooth Bonding?
After your tooth bonding is complete, you should see immediate results. Your teeth should look more intact, even, and structurally sound.
How Long Does Tooth Bonding Last?
Resin composites are not as durable as enamel. Most patients will maintain their tooth bonding for five to ten years as long as they practice good oral hygiene. After that, the risk of the resin chipping or breaking off increases. To counteract this, patients may consider having their bonding redone every five to 10 years.
How Do I Care for My Teeth After Dental Bonding?
You should avoid the following to reduce the risk of damaging your bonded teeth.
- Eating ice
- Biting hard materials like pens, pencils, fingernails, etc.
- Eating hard candies
- Chewing tough meat, especially when still on the bone
How Much Is Dental Bonding?
The cost of tooth bonding varies significantly based on your location, the number of teeth treated, and the extent of correction needed.
Other Dental Services We Offer in Temecula
Rancho Dental offers a wide range of cosmetic, preventative, and restorative dental services.
If dental bonding is not right for you, you may want to consider one of the following options:
- Dental crowns
- Porcelain veneers (to prevent staining)
- Bridges
- Dental onlays or inlays
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bonding
Does tooth bonding hurt?
Tooth bonding should not hurt. You may experience a period of adjustment as you adapt to the new shape of your teeth. This discomfort is usually minor and temporary.
Contact your cosmetic dentist if you feel that your teeth are misshapen or you feel any sharp edges on your teeth after three days. They can recontour your composite resin to correct these concerns.
Is tooth bonding covered by insurance?
In some cases, tooth bonding is considered a corrective medical procedure covered by dental insurance. For patients who want dental bonding purely for cosmetic reasons, your dental insurance may not cover it. Contact your insurance provider for details regarding your specific coverage.
Can dental bonding treat cavities?
Dental bonding does not treat large cavities on its own; however, it can be used for very small cavities or performed with additional cavity treatment. Your dentist must remove any infected tissue before the bonding procedure.
Tooth bonding can replace the need for crowns in some cases; however, crowns may be a better option if the cavity is large.
How long does tooth bonding take?
Most tooth-bonding procedures take between 30 minutes and an hour. If you have multiple teeth that require attention, this may increase slightly.
Will my smile look natural after dental bonding?
Initially, your composite resin will look just like your natural teeth. However, your resin may stain more easily than your enamel. The best way to prevent this is to avoid eating or drinking foods that stain your teeth.
How do I take care of my bonded teeth?
You should treat your bonded teeth just like you would your natural teeth, complete with frequent brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits.
How Can I Contact Rancho Dental for My Cosmetic Dentistry Needs?
If you are in the Temecula, California, area and want to learn more about dental bonding, give the team at Rancho Dental a call. We will answer your questions and schedule your tooth-bonding consultation.
Call 951-699-4746 today or use our contact form.