What is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding greenville south carolina is a popular dental treatment where material, either a composite or an adhesive, is permanently attached to the teeth. This treatment technique, often used in combination with other treatments, can be used to fill gaps, fix chipped or cracked teeth, or improve tooth discoloration. The entire dental bonding procedure can be completed in a single dentist visit. Below are more details on dental bonding, including the steps involved in the procedure.
When is Dental Bonding Used?
Dental bonding treatment is popular because it is one of the easiest, quickest, and lowest cost dental techniques. The most common use for the treatment is to fix cosmetic issues. There are two types of dental bonding:
Adhesive bonding is when an adhesive is applied to the teeth to securely attach a dental prosthetic, such as a veneer or crown.
Direct composite bonding is when a tooth-colored putty is applied to the teeth. An experienced dentist may use composite bonding to shape and polish teeth to enhance the aesthetic of the overall smile. Composite bonding can also be used to fill or minimize the space between teeth, to change the shape of teeth, or fill space between the gum and the tooth root. In this case, the bonding can improve the appearance of the smile while also protecting the exposed root of the tooth.
Procedure Steps
The dental bonding procedure, is quick and cost efficient, commonly occurring in just a few steps, including:
- Preparation: The dentist will select the composite to be used or the adhesive material. Your dentist will make sure the color of the composite matches the natural color of the teeth. Next, the surface of the teeth needs to be prepared for the bonding. This is often done with a liquid coating agent that helps the bonding material adhere to the teeth.
- Application: Once the teeth to be treated are prepared, it is time to apply either the adhesive or the bonding composite. The composite material is molded, shaped, and sculpted to match the natural teeth. How long this step takes depends on the dentist.
- Curing: After the bonding is in place, a laser or an ultraviolet light is used to harden the composite or secure the adhesive.
Generally, the entire bonding process takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour to complete. If more than one tooth needs to be treated, the dentist may suggest several visits to complete the treatment.
Post treatment
After a bonding treatment the dentist will often warn that the bonding composite, or the new prosthetic is not as strong as a natural tooth. Initially, some caution should be used with chewing, eating, and flossing. If you aren’t cautious, hard foods, such as candy or ice can cause the bonding composite to chip or crack. Additionally, tea, coffee, or wine can stain the composite and should be avoided for a few days after the procedure. With the right care, dental bonding treatment can last years before any repair is necessary.