A cracked or chipped tooth can affect your appearance and impact your dental health. Minor cracks and chips in your teeth allow food particles to penetrate the surface and bacteria to grow.
Repairing these imperfections with a dental bonding procedure can improve your smile and dental health. If you’re looking for a solution to chipped or cracked teeth, dental bonding may be the perfect solution.
Here’s is everything you need to know about dental bonding before and after.
What Is Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure dentists use to repair chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. It can help improve the look of discolored teeth, repair gaps between teeth, and lengthen a tooth that’s shorter than the others.
The dentist uses a “bond” of composite resin over damaged areas to restore the tooth and make it look as good as new. The composite color will be similar to the color of your own tooth and will look natural.
Even a small chip in a tooth can affect your appearance and your oral health. Fixing chips and cracks is important. It makes chewing easier and can prevent further damage to the tooth and surrounding teeth.
When Is Dental Bonding Appropriate
Your dentist can perform a dental bonding procedure to fix a variety of dental issues, including:
- Decayed teeth
- Discolored teeth
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Uneven teeth
- A gap between teeth
If you’re dealing with any of these dental issues, dental bonding can help you improve your smile and your dental health.
What to Expect With Dental Bonding
No prior preparation is required before you have a dental bonding procedure. It’s important that you inform your dentist of any pre-existing medical problems.
The procedure is done in a single visit. It takes 30 minutes to an hour to perform the procedure on a single tooth.
If you are having the procedure on two or more teeth, you may need additional trips to the dentist.
Dental Bonding Preparation
Dental bonding is a non-invasive procedure, but your dentist may need to prepare your teeth for the bonding process.
Your dentist will examine your teeth for decay. If you have any cavities, your dentist will repair them before beginning the bonding procedure.
The dental hygienist will perform a professional cleaning to remove any plaque buildup on your teeth.
The Tooth Bonding Process
In most cases, no local anesthesia is necessary. If you are having more than one procedure or have a dental phobia, your dentist may use sedation or laughing gas to help relax you.
Your dentist will prepare your teeth for bonding and apply a conditioning liquid to your teeth. This makes it easier for the resin to bond to your teeth.
To make sure the resin is the correct shade, your dentist will use a shade guide to match the resin to your natural teeth.
Your dentist will apply the flexible, tooth-colored resin and mold it to the shape of your teeth. A special light is used to harden the resin. Then, the treated tooth is polished to match the natural look of your teeth.
If your tooth doesn’t look perfect to you after the procedure, don’t worry. Your dentist can still shape the tooth further even after the resin is dry.
Is Dental Bonding Effective
Dental bonding is a cost-effective cosmetic dental procedure. It’s a safe and effective procedure that can improve minor dental problems and enhance your smile.
Unlike other treatments, dental bonding does not involve trimming the tooth’s enamel and is often performed in one visit.
Dental bonding resin is not stain-resistant. This type of resin isn’t as strong as veneers or crowns and may crack or chip in time. Your dentist can fix these problems if they occur.
Dental bonding is a widely-used procedure for repairing minor dental problems. The results can last two to seven years with proper care.
Taking Care of Your Teeth After Dental Bonding
Your teeth will look better immediately after the bonding procedure. They may feel a little strange at first. Mouths are sensitive to change.
Your teeth may feel a bit wider or different with the resin on them. This is temporary and will get better as you adjust to the procedure.
The composite resin used in dental bonding preparation is not as strong as your natural teeth. It’s important to take good care of your teeth after the procedure.
The better care you take of your bonded teeth, the longer they will last. You can protect your bonded teeth by:
- Avoiding chewing ice, pens, hard candy, or hard foods
- Avoiding drinks like coffee and tea for a while
- Brushing and flossing twice a day or after meals
- Not using your teeth to open things or bite your nails
- Avoiding smoking
Maintaining standard dental practices like brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist every six months can help keep your teeth looking great and extend the life of your dental bonding.
Restore Your Teeth With Dental Bonding
Chips, cracks, and misshapen teeth are common dental problems. Dental bonding is a cosmetic dental process that can fix these minor issues and improve your smile and dental health.
It’s painless and can often be done in one office visit. If you have concerns about chipped or cracked teeth, talk to your dentist about dental bonding. It may be the solution you’re hoping for.
The Dental Team is located in Brampton, Mississauga, Milton, and Vaughan/Maple, Canada. Our dental offices and staff strive to create a friendly, inviting comfortable environment for your dental visit. We’d love to meet you and discuss any dental concerns you may have.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
