Dental Bonding: Meaning, Process, Use, Benefits, and Risks:

Known by various names, such as ‘tooth bonding’, and ‘composite bonding’, dental bonding is a cosmetic dentistry procedure used for thousands of patients every year. As it helps to restore the functionality and appearance of teeth of a person, dental bonding is also considered to be a restorative treatment. 

The procedure of dental bonding involves applying a composite resin material to a tooth of a patient. The dentist hardens the material to make it bond to the tooth with the help of dental curing light. Patients can receive dental bonding treatment for a single tooth as well as multiple teeth.

Dental bonding has proven to be an ideal treatment option in the case of many patients who suffer from cosmetic dental issues, such as a cracked tooth, chipped tooth, a decayed tooth, and discoloured tooth. Cosmetic dentists even recommend dental bonding for increasing the size of teeth, changing the shape of teeth, and filling gaps between the teeth. In some instances, dental bonding is used as an alternative to amalgam fillings (also known as ‘dental fillings’), which are used for filling cavities.

What Exactly is Dental Bonding?

Just like porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers, and resin veneers, dental bonding is also a dental treatment aimed at improving dental aesthetics. The term ‘dental aesthetics’ refer to the size, shape, position, alignment, and colour of teeth. These factors affect the appearance of teeth. Along with teeth, dental aesthetics also deal with the appearance of gums. 

Needless to say, the way your teeth and gums look affects the way you look while smiling. In your daily life, you would easily find at least one person who wishes to transform their smile. Cosmetic dentists or aesthetic dentists can use their expertise to fulfill this dream of people by modifying the look of teeth and gums. They employ different treatment methods, one of which is dental bonding. 

How is Dental Bonding Performed?

Dentists working in dental clinics and dental hospitals carry out the process of dental bonding in a safe and efficient manner. The patient has to take at least two appointments for visiting the dentist. During the first visit, patients discuss their problems and goals related to dental health. The dentist examines their teeth and gums to determine the suitable treatment option.

Once it’s decided that the patient has to undergo the dental bonding treatment, the dentist shares all the relevant information about the process, advantages, cost, and aftercare measures of the treatment. Then, the dentist schedules a second appointment.

During the second appointment, the dentist completes the process by following several steps. First, the dentist chooses the composite resin material that has a shade similar to the natural colour of a patient’s teeth. The dentist then prepares the tooth or teeth of a patient by roughening the surface and applying a liquid. This liquid enables the resin material to bond to the tooth. 

The dentist applies the composite resin to the tooth and gives it a proper shape. Next, the dentist focuses on an ultraviolet curing light on the resin material to harden it. After the composite resin gets hardened, the dentist checks whether the shape is correct or not. If adjustments in shaping are required, the dentist does the same. In the end, the dentist polishes the resin material. 

Why is Dental Bonding Preferred?

Dental practitioners consider the dental bonding treatment preferable for numerous patients owing to its benefits. As compared to other treatment options, dental bonding is quite fast, simple, and affordable. The patients don’t even need anaesthesia to go through the process except when the dental bonding is used as an alternative to amalgam fillings. The whole process does not take more than an hour. 

However, if you get the dental bonding for the majority of your teeth, you might have to spend more time in a dental clinic or hospital. No special or time-consuming preparation of teeth is required for undergoing this treatment. Usually, dental bonding lasts for 3 to 8 years after which you will have to get them replaced. 

But you can ensure that it lasts for as long as possible by following aftercare measures and practising good oral hygiene habits. You should avoid tea, coffee, smoking, and drinking for a few days after the treatment. As dental bonding cannot resist stains, you should prevent the excessive intake of coloured foods and beverages. 

Though dental bonding doesn’t accompany any major risk, you should keep in mind that it is prone to chipping and breaking. The reason attributing to this fact is that the strength of the composite resin material is not the same as the strength of the natural tooth. But the good news is that dental bonding chips or breaks less frequently than dental crowns, veneers, and fillings. 

Takeaway

Dental bonding is a minimally-invasive and cost-effective treatment option for rectifying minor cosmetic imperfections that affect the dental appearance of people. If you think that you can achieve your dream smile with the help of dental bonding, you should not hesitate in discussing this with your dentist.