Cosmetic Bonding

Having a great smile makes you look great and boosts your confidence. At 7 Day Dental in Orange County, we have many types of treatment that will ensure you have healthy and good looking teeth. One of the most economical treatments is cosmetic bonding, and it can give you a radiant smile you want.

Dentists use the term bonding in two ways.

• The first refers to attaching any restoration to the tooth with special dental cement that forms a very strong bond between the tooth and restorative material.
• The second use of “dental bonding” refers to the use of a composite resin material for restorations including fillings (in place of amalgam) and for chipped, broken or badly spaced teeth (instead of porcelain veneers).

What follows is more about the use of composite resin dental bonding for cosmetic restorations.

Dental cosmetic bonding can be used to fix the following dental issues:

• Repair decayed teeth (composite resins are used to fill 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
• Protect a portion of the tooth’s root that has been exposed when gums recede

Dental bonding is a simple procedure that normally takes about 30-60 minutes per tooth to complete. The process is usually painless and is often performed without local anesthesia or sedation dentistry unless the bonding is being used for a tooth filling.

1- Preparing for dental bonding

First, we prepare your tooth for dental bonding, which may involve removing a small amount of enamel.

2- Selecting the resin

Next, we use a shade guide to select a composite resin that closely matches the natural color of your teeth.

3- Applying the resin

Your tooth will be roughened up a bit, and then a conditioning material is applied to help the resin bond with the tooth.

4- Finishing with laser dentistry

Finally, we’ll use an ultraviolet light or laser dentistry to harden the resin. After the resin has hardened, our dentist will trim and shape the tooth as needed.

5- Polishing to match the other teeth

The final touch is a little polishing to make sure the sheen of your bonded tooth looks just like the rest of your natural teeth.

The cosmetic bonding material is not as strong as porcelain, and it may chip and stain. Special care is therefore needed to ensure that they last long and maintain a natural look.

Substances such as coffee, tea, and tobacco need to be avoided, as they stain the resin. If you drink coffee or tea, you should brush your teeth immediately afterward.

Those that have undergone the procedure should also avoid chewing on hard objects or using their teeth to open up containers.

On the other hand, practicing good oral hygiene, maintaining a healthy nutritious diet and paying regular visits to your dentist will ensure that your bonded teeth last a long time.

PROS

Cosmetic bonding is an easy and inexpensive procedure to correct and improve teeth. The procedure is painless and, compared to other procedures, it removes the least amount of enamel from your tooth.

CONS

Composite resin is not resistant to all stains, especially those caused by tobacco, coffee, and tea. It is also not as strong as porcelain and other materials, so it is more likely to chip or break. This is a particular consideration for the biting surfaces.

Cosmetic bonding just like all other dental procedures works to ensure healthy and beautiful looking teeth within a short period at a friendly cost.