Dental Bonding Near You
Bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that can help improve your smile when your teeth are affected by chips, cracks, discoloration and other problems. Dental bonding involves the application of a composite resin that corrects cosmetic complaints so that your teeth appear more like they did originally.
It may be helpful to think of dental bonding as similar to shallow dental fillings. They are not as strong as crowns or dental veneers that can also be used for repairing or improving the appearance of damaged teeth. Dental bonding is commonly used for front teeth to improve their appearance.
Bonding is commonly used include:
- Stained teeth
- Tooth decay
- Exposed tooth root due to receding gums
- Minor chips or cracks that will not be undergoing a root canal treatment
- Misshapen teeth, such as teeth that are overly short or have gaps between them
How Does It Work?
If you undergo a dental bonding procedure, your dentist would place a composite material onto the treated tooth. They would first apply a chemical to the tooth, which roughens it and improves bonding adhesion.
Next, your dentist would apply the composite resin in a series of layers, finishing by curing it with a special light so that it hardens and becomes stronger. The entire process should take only a few minutes to complete.
What To Consider?
Prior to undergoing any type of treatment or procedure, you should thoroughly weigh your treatment options. When it comes to dental bonding, it is important to consider possible treatment alternatives.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain dental veneers are thin shells made from porcelain that your dentist bonds to the front surfaces of teeth to alter their shape, size, length or color. This is a very natural-looking cosmetic procedure that can help correct tooth gaps, misshapen teeth, crooked teeth and chipped teeth.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns help treat teeth that have undergone severe damage or tooth decay. A crown is essentially a “cap” placed over a tooth to restore its size, shape, function and strength. Dental crowns are commonly used to restore broken or worn teeth and protect decayed teeth from further damage.
FAQ
Here are a few commonly asked questions about dental bonding:
How long does bonding last?
Although dental bonding does not last forever, it can still last anywhere from five to 10 years if you care for your teeth properly and practice proper oral hygiene.
Is dental bonding covered by insurance?
Most insurance companies will cover at least part of the cost of dental bonding if it is needed for strictly structural reasons. Contact your insurance company to ensure that your dental bonding procedure would be covered.
How long is a dental bonding procedure?
Factors like the size of the area to be treated, the amount of needed composite material, and the location of the tooth damage must be factored in to determine how long a dental bonding procedure will take. Generally, getting a dental bond can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes.