What to Expect If You Have Your Teeth Bonded?

Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, you don’t have to hide your smile or feel self-conscious about dental imperfections like chips, cracks, or discolorations. Dental bonding is a popular treatment for correcting minor teeth damage.

A tooth-colored resin material is applied to the affected tooth to improve its shape, size, or color during the procedure. Compared to alternative treatments like veneers and dental crowns, dental bonding is a cost-effective and less invasive solution to transform your smile.

If you’re considering dental bonding or your dentist has scheduled you for the procedure, you might be wondering what to expect during the treatment. Let’s learn more about the dental bonding procedure, its benefits, and its risks. Contact our cosmetic dentist for dental bonding in South Hadley, MA.

Who Needs Dental Bonding?

Your dentist might recommend dental bonding to:

• Repair minor dental damage like cracks and chips.
• Improve the appearance of a yellowed, discolored, or stained tooth.
• Close improper gaps between teeth.
• Change the size and shape of your tooth.

In some cases, you can use the bonding material in restorative treatments to:

• Fill cavities.
• Protect sensitive teeth roots from gum recession.
• Replace old amalgam fillings with a more esthetically appealing alternative.

Dental Bonding Procedure

Dental bonding is a relatively quick, less invasive, and simple procedure compared to veneers or crowns. The treatment only requires one appointment, and you might not even require anesthesia. Anesthesia is often required when filling a cavity or covering an exposed tooth’s nerves.

During the procedure, you can expect the following:

• Select a shade. Before the bonding procedure, the dentist will help you choose a composite resin bonding material that closely matches the color of your teeth.
• Prepare the tooth. The tooth that needs repair roughens with an etching solution. Next, a conditioning liquid is applied to easily bond the composite material to the tooth.
• Apply the composite resin material. The dentist applies a putty-like resin material to the tooth. It’s molded and smoothened to provide the desired shape and size. The dentist can use a special curing light or laser to harden the material.
• Polish the tooth. Lastly, the dentist polishes the tooth to provide a natural appearance. Your new smile will be ready.

The bonding procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth. The treatment isn’t painful, so recovery is quick. Some patients experience temporary sensitivity around the area. You can use pain medication and home remedies like ice cubes to manage discomfort. Notify your dentist if your bonded tooth develops a problem.

Dental Bonding Aftercare

Following a dental bonding treatment, it’s essential to care for your new smile to ensure it serves you properly and longer. To care for your bonded tooth and mouth:

• Brush at least twice daily.
• Floss daily.
• Avoid abrasive oral products.
• Avoid chewing hard food and non-food items like nuts, hard candy, pens, and nails.
• Schedule frequent oral checkups and cleanings.
• Wear a nightguard for bruxism.
• Wear a sports guard during physical activities.
• Limit or avoid staining items like coffee, tea, red wine, or tobacco. For the next 48 hours after the dental bonding procedure, completely go for a white and non-acidic diet.

Benefits of Dental Bonding

There are numerous benefits of using teeth bonding to transform your smile, including:

• Cost-effective. Dental bonding is relatively cheaper compared to alternative treatments like veneers and crowns.
• Minimally invasive. Unlike veneers and crowns, dental bonding doesn’t require tooth shaving. It preserves more of your natural tooth.
• Versatile. Teeth bonding effectively corrects multiple cosmetic imperfections like chips, cracks, discoloration, or gaps
• Quick. Dental bonding only requires a single appointment, unlike other cosmetic procedures like veneers or crowns.
• Painless. Since there are no injections, tooth shaving, or drilling, getting a dental bonding is easy.
• Aesthetically appealing. The bonding resin material is custom-made to match the color of your natural teeth.

Cons of Dental Bonding

• Not as durable as alternative treatments like veneers and dental crowns
• Prone to chipping and breaking
• Not resistant to staining as other dental materials

Schedule an Appointment Today

Are you interested in dental bonding or other cosmetic treatments? Contact South Hadley Dental Group to speak with our cosmetic dentist in South Hadley, MA.