What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding is a versatile form of cosmetic dentistry. Your dentist may recommend this sort of procedure to you for a number of reasons. It can be used to improve the appearance of teeth that have been chipped, for example. Equally, the technique might be offered because you have a discoloured tooth which is standing out from the rest. Sometimes fractured teeth are treated using the method of dental bonding, too. Finally, it can be a measure that is recommended to handle decaying teeth to help prevent further erosion of the enamel.
As such, dental bonding is not always carried out for strictly cosmetic reasons. Read on to discover the answers to many of the common questions asked by patients about this procedure.
Why Is It Called Dental Bonding?
The 'bonding' in dental bonding refers to the material that is applied to your teeth. When it goes on, it is a resin which is much like a paste. It simply adheres directly onto your tooth or teeth, wherever it is applied. Unlike dental veneers, which are glued in place, dental bonding resin is the material that does the cosmetic job of improving the look of your teeth as well as acting as the bonding agent itself. To do this, dental bonding resin manufacturers have come up with a product that is white in colour and which will match the natural look of the rest of your smile.
What Are the Advantages of Dental Bonding?
Firstly, dental bonding can be done almost straight away. If you opt for veneers or dental prosthetics to improve the appearance of your teeth, then these need to be made to measure in a dental laboratory. Dental bonding can be applied at one visit to the dentist without fuss. Furthermore, in the vast majority of cases, dental bonding can be carried out without any form of anaesthesia being administered. In other words, it is a low-impact procedure.
How Does A Dentist Apply Dental Bonding?
Your dentist will apply the resin to the teeth that need the treatment and then allow it to harden. Once it has, the dentist will be able to shape the resin to the natural line of your teeth which makes it especially useful for repairing chips. Sometimes lasers are used to speed up the hardening process so you can get on with the rest of your day sooner following an application.
Does Dental Bonding Discolour?
It can. However, if you avoid all of the things that stain natural teeth, then this won't be a problem. Simply steer clear of red wine, cigarettes and coffee for a while and brush your teeth regularly.
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