Dental Bonding

Definition: the application of a tooth-colored composite resin to discolored or damaged teeth to correct some conditions and to provide a natural look.

The procedure is used in the case of:

• Discolored teeth;
• Decayed teeth;
• Chipped or broken tooth;
• Teeth that are shorter than others;
• Irregularly shaped teeth; 
• Teeth with gaps between them;
• Tooth root exposure.

There are 2 forms of dental bonding:

1. Direct composite bonding - the composite material is applied directly to the tooth.
2. Adhesive bonding - the process of attaching a restoration to a prepared tooth. The method is used for porcelain veneers, crowns, bridges, and inlays/onlays.

How does it work?

The procedure may start with a local injection of anesthetic to numb the area worked on. The anesthetic is usually administered when the bonding procedure is being used to fill a decayed tooth but is not always necessary. The doctor chooses the shade of the composite resin to match the color of your other teeth, and then slightly abrades the surface of the tooth to roughen it. This is followed by applying a conditioning liquid to help adhere to the bonding material. The tooth-colored, putty-like composite resin is then applied on the tooth and molded and smoothed into the needed shape. The material is hardened with a bright light, ultraviolet, or laser. The only thing that remains is to make the final adjustments and polishings. 

What are the risks?

• Failure of the treatment;
• The bonding material can chip or crack;
• The color can be different from the rest of your teeth;

How to prepare for the procedure?

There is no special preparation other than brushing and flossing your teeth.

How long does the procedure take?

The procedure may take from 30 min to an hour, but if you have more than one tooth damaged you might need to schedule more than one visit.

How to recover after the procedure?

• Avoid hot or cold meals for a couple of days, as the tooth is more sensitive;
• Avoid biting your nails, chewing pens, biting hard food or any other action that puts extra pressure on the tooth and might crack or chip the bonding material;
• Avoid drinking red wine, coffee, and other meals that might leave stains on the bonding material for at least 48 hours after the procedure;
• Provide proper oral hygiene;
• If the bonding is cared for properly, it should last up to 10 years;
• Don’t forget your regular appointments with your dentist for professional check-up and cleaning.

Interested in Dental Bonding? We have various Dental Packages available.

To learn more about cosmetic dentistry, you may find our articles on Dental Veneers and Teeth Whitening informative.