Many people with broken fillings, gaps, or chipped teeth seek timely restoration. Dental bonding is an affordable and effective procedure that provides long-lasting outcomes. People learning about this cosmetic dental procedure for the first time or those who want to know more about it tend to ask many questions. A friendly, experienced dental professional can guide you whenever you are on your dental restoration journey. A dentist can guide you and determine if you are a good candidate for dental bonding. A good dental expert can also help you understand how to best prepare for the procedure. Proper guidance lets you know what to expect and how to maintain your beautiful smile. 

Understanding Dental Bonding

Also known as tooth bonding, dental bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that enhances a person’s smile. This procedure uses resin material to:

  • Make a tooth look longer

  • Alter the shape of your teeth

  • Close gaps and spaces between teeth

  • Camouflage teeth discoloration

  • Hide chips or cracks in teeth

A dental expert can also use tooth bonding material in restorative dentistry to:

  • Replace old dental fillings with an alternative

  • Protect a patient’s tooth roots after gum recession

  • Fill a patient’s cavities

Advantages Of Dental Bonding

Dental bonding has many benefits over other cosmetic procedures, including:

  • Convenient and fast because a dental expert can finish the procedure in one office visit, unless several teeth require treatment.

  • The procedure is versatile since it can conceal cosmetic imperfections like chips, cracks, gaps, and discoloration.

  • Unlike dental crowns and porcelain veneers, which require tooth changes, dental bonding is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require enamel removal.

  • Anesthesia is not required unless tooth bonding is used to fill cavities.

Disadvantages Of Dental Bonding

Dental bonding has some limitations that include:

  • Unlike crowns or veneers, bonding is not durable. The material used for bonding can also chip over time

  • The material used for bonding is not resistant to stains

Dental experts consider tooth bonding a solution only for minor cosmetic changes and temporary correction of dental issues because of these limitations. It is also suitable for correcting teeth in areas of low bite pressure, like front teeth. You should consult your dental expert on which cosmetic option you should choose.

Whether Dental Bonding Can Damage Your Teeth

Dental bonding cannot damage your teeth because a seasoned dental expert will exercise care and precision to establish the appropriate dental procedure to repair your damaged tooth. This procedure typically addresses dental imperfections that can damage your tooth and lead to discomfort.

A patient’s tooth structure can be restored once the dental procedure is complete. The repaired tooth structure can withstand the biting and chewing pressure without interfering with the bonded tooth and the adjacent tooth that come into contact when you chew.

Is It Safe To Undergo Dental Bonding During Pregnancy?

Pregnant women are allowed to undergo dental bonding. All preventative dental treatments, including cleaning and professional evaluations twice per year, are safe and recommended even in pregnancy. The hormonal levels that rise during pregnancy can cause your gums to swell, bleed, and trap food particles, leading to increased gum irritation. Therefore, you should not neglect your dental health while pregnant. Additionally, tooth bonding can hinder dental infections like gum disease, which can lead to preterm births. Most dental procedures are considered vital to minimize the likelihood of spreading infection and cannot adversely affect your pregnancy.

What You Should Expect During Dental Bonding

There are various things you should know if you are considering dental bonding. Dental bonding is adequate in areas with less bite pressure, like the front teeth. This procedure is also appropriate for teeth that require minor repairs. However, it is not wise to figure this out solely. An experienced dental expert can guide you through various cosmetic options and take ample time to understand your cosmetic goals and objectives.

Also, a dentist can perform diagnostic imaging to evaluate your gums and teeth. This will help your dentist establish whether you are eligible for dental bonding. Severe oral health conditions like serious tooth decay or gum disease should be treated before you undergo bonding material placement.

You should also brush your teeth before the procedure. Your dentist will do the following during the procedure:

Choose A Shade

Your dentist will use a shade guide to help you pick a composite resin material, which blends and complements the natural color of your teeth.

Preparing Your Tooth

This involves making the surface of your tooth rough and applying a conditioning liquid. This will help the bonding material to stick to your tooth.

Applying The Composite Resin Material

Your dental expert will place the composite resin material and mold it before smoothing it to the appropriate shape.

Curing The Material

Your dentist will harden the resin material using a curing light, which bonds the resin material to the tooth's surface.

Polish The Tooth

The dental expert will finally make all the necessary final adjustments before polishing your tooth, giving it a natural appearance and shine.

Your dental expert can work on each tooth for 30 to 60 minutes. This procedure is not painful because the dentist does not work near the pain-sensitive nerves in the mouth. Anesthesia is not required in most cases.

The Life Expectancy Of A Dental Bonding

Dental bonding can last three to ten years. The lifespan of the dental bonding is determined by several factors, including:

  • Avoiding damage to the bonded teeth

  • Where the bonding was placed

  • The amount of bonding material placed on the tooth, and

  • Maintaining oral hygiene

No special care is required for dental bonding. You can enhance the longevity of the dental bonding if you follow the following dental hygiene practices:

Avoid Hard foods

You should be cautious with hard foods like nuts and candy. It is essential to eat them, but it is not recommended to bite them with the bonded teeth because the resin material can be damaged. You should use the back molars to chew while eating.

Prevent Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding is also known as bruxism. This is the clenching and grinding of the teeth, particularly while sleeping. The jaw exerts pressure on the teeth, which can cause healthy teeth to crack or chip. Since bruxism can damage the teeth, it can also damage the dental bonding. Reach out to your dentist for treatment and prevention if you are suffering from this condition. This condition can also be addressed by wearing a night guard appliance. A night guard covers the surface of the teeth and protects them from excessive force and pressure. Your dental expert can also recommend orthodontic treatment if you have severe malocclusion and tooth misalignment.

Quit Smoking

The material used in dental bonding is often porous. Tar from smoking can stick to the teeth and change the bonding color to brown or yellow.

Visit Your Cosmetic Dental Expert Regularly

You should visit your dental expert every six months for a dental check-up. The dentist will clean your teeth and remove tartar and plaque. He/she will determine whether the bonding is okay and guide you appropriately. You can ask your dentist how often you should go for a check-up. However, it depends on your medical history, oral health, and age.

Avoid Lingering Over Sipping Sugary Beverages

If you consume a sugary beverage like soda, coffee with cream, or sweetened tea, you should drink it at once instead of sipping it slowly over an extended period. Mouth bacteria rely on sugar as a food source and metabolize it into lactic acid if your mouth is constantly exposed to sugar. Your teeth can develop cavities when the lactic acid dissolves the minerals in your teeth. If cavities develop beneath the bonded teeth, the teeth might end up falling out.

Do Not Brush Too Often

Your teeth’s enamel, dental bonding, and gums can get damaged if you brush too often. Brushing your teeth two times per day is enough. You should also rinse your mouth with water after snacks and meals. Do vigorous swishing to force the water between the teeth to remove food particles.

Use A Mouthwash

You cannot substitute brushing and flossing your teeth with a mouthwash. However, rinsing your mouth with a mouthwash can protect your teeth and dental bonding from damage and decay if you have trouble brushing and flossing.

It does not matter whether you swish your mouth with mouthwash before or after brushing or flossing. You should swish the mouthwash for 30 seconds to 60 seconds. Doing this for less than 30 seconds will not be effective, while doing it for one minute is more than enough.

A mouthwash has a lot of alcohol and fluoride, which should not be ingested in high quantities, especially by children. Children below six years should not use mouthwash. It is dangerous to get used to swallowing mouthwash.

Floss Daily

Some individuals who brush daily overlook flossing. Flossing is not only done to remove food particles between the teeth. It is the best way to stimulate the gums, reduce plaque, and lower inflammation. You should floss once per day.

Flossing can be challenging, particularly for older people with arthritis and children. You can overcome this challenge by going for ready-to-use dental flossers.

Brush Your Teeth Appropriately

Most people do not brush at night, while brushing your teeth twice a day is highly recommended. Brushing your teeth before retiring to bed removes bacteria and plaque accumulated throughout the day.

The way you brush your teeth also matters. Improper ways of brushing your teeth are as bad as not brushing at all. Brushing removes all food debris that can eat away at your teeth and cause cavities. You should brush your teeth for two minutes, but avoid brushing for more than four minutes. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently in circular motions, cleaning all teeth on the top, front, and back. Avoid sawing back-and-forth motions.

There are essential elements to consider other than whitening and flavors regarding toothpaste. Ensure the toothpaste you are using has fluoride. Fluoride prevents tooth decay and cavities by fighting germs and providing a barrier for teeth and dental bonding.

Other bonding maintenance ways include:

  • Avoiding tooth-staining foods and drinks

  • Eating healthy foods

  • Avoiding chewing on your ice, pens, using your teeth to tear things open, or biting your fingernails

  • Call your dental expert immediately if you discover sharp edges on your bonded teeth or if the teeth feel odd when you bite down.

How To Know Whether You Should Replace Your Dental Bonding

Dental bonding should appear and feel like healthy, natural teeth. If you notice a difference in the look and feeling of your teeth, you should replace your bonding immediately. For example, you should replace stained or discolored bonding to restore a glowing smile and enhance self-esteem. Consult your dental expert if you discover lifted or sharp corners. Additionally, changes in your bite indicate that your dental bond is loose.

Do not overlook the signs of broken or worn-out bonding. The loose resin can chip the natural teeth or make them prone to other oral damage, like tooth decay or restoration failure. Stains on your front dental bond can hurt your self-esteem and appearance.

Your dental expert can carefully assess your dental bonding and clean the area before replacing it with new bonding material. Follow this procedure to minimize the risks of infections if you cannot seek immediate medical attention:

  • Avoid swallowing chipped dental bonding material

  • Rinse the mouth with warm salty water

The Cost Of Dental Bonding

The cost of dental bonding can range from $100 to $400 per tooth. The cost differs from one person to another and depends on various factors, including:

  • The amount of work to be done during preparation, and

  • The location of the dental office

Whether Insurance Companies Cover Dental Bonding

If dental bonding is considered a cosmetic dental procedure, like filling a gap, it might not be covered by insurance companies. However, your insurance company can cover your treatment if it is required for oral health. For example, the insurance company can cover your tooth bonding expenses if you want to fix a broken or chipped tooth. You should consult your insurance company to determine if it covers the procedure before booking your dental appointment.

Alternative Methods To Pay For The Dental Bonding

The following are other ways you can pay for your dental bonding procedure:

Payment Plan

You can agree on a payment plan with your dental expert that can allow you to spread the procedure’s expenses, making the procedure affordable. Some dental experts can allow you to make monthly payments.

Take Advantage Of A Dental Discount Plan

A dental savings plan is an affordable and flexible option to dental health insurance. If you are eligible, you can receive a discount on your dental treatment and save significantly. You can visit a network of dentists once you join the dental discount plan. The network provides discounted costs to members and pays the discounted fees.

Dental Bonding And Veneers

There are several dental procedures to choose from when you are pursuing the following services:

  • Seeking to fix gaps or chips in the teeth

  • Seeking to brighten discolored teeth

  • Contemplating cosmetic dentistry to enhance your smile

Dental bonding and veneers are standard procedures. A skilled cosmetic dental expert will help you make informed decisions on what suits your smile, budget, oral health condition, and dental goals.

Dental bonding uses a soft resin material applied to the teeth, while veneers are thin porcelain shells placed on the front teeth. Bonding fills in your teeth in specific areas, while veneers require the removal of some enamel to secure them. Some people experience increased sensitivity with veneers because of the removed enamel, but they like the way veneers look. Here are other facts to know regarding dental bonding and veneers:

  • Dental bonding is affordable, while veneers are costly.

  • Veneers offer a permanent solution and can save you money in the future, but dental bonding should be replaced after three to ten years.

  • Dental bonding is less durable than veneers, but it is more affordable and easily repaired.

  • Veneers are ideal for concealing stains that teeth whitening cannot fix. On the other hand, dental bonding is best for repairing gaps and chips.

  • Bonding can last up to ten years, while veneers take ten to 25 years with proper oral care, and they can last even longer.

  • Dental bonding is cheaper than veneers, but veneers can be more cost-effective in the long run, given the prolonged treatment lifespan.

  • Veneers require at least two visits for two to three weeks, while with bonding, you receive prompt results. You only make one visit, and the dental expert can treat several teeth.

  • Bonding material can darken over time, while veneers are made of stain-resistant ceramic material.

Find A Committed Cosmetic Dentist Near Me

If you are looking for an effective way of correcting minor dental imperfections like stained teeth, chipped or gapped teeth, you should consider dental bonding. Also known as tooth bonding, dental bonding is an effective cosmetic dental procedure that can restore the beauty of your smile.

At Beach Dental Care Anaheim, we have committed dentists who perform a wide range of dental procedures, including bonding. If you need a dependable dentist to transform your smile, contact us today. Call us at 714-995-4000 to speak to one of our dentists.