What is dental bonding?
Dental bonding involves placing a filling on your front teeth to enhance aesthetics and replace part of your missing tooth structure. Bonding is recommended for a slight chip on your front teeth when we do not want to place a crown. The filling replaces your missing tooth structure and improves aesthetics. Anatomy and color can be perfectly matched, and the teeth are polished so the bonding should not be distinguishable from the tooth structure. It should be an exact match.
What are the pros and cons of dental bonding?
The pros are that we are replacing a missing tooth structure, making everything more aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, if there is a large crack, bonding prevents further fractures.
The cons are related to the longevity of the bonding. If you are clenching or grinding your teeth or participate in sports that involve direct hits to your face, the bondings can get chipped. That's the con.
Can cavities form on bonded teeth?
Cavities are caused by bacteria in our mouths. If you are not maintaining good oral hygiene at home and not attending regular dental checkups and cleanings, you have a high chance of developing cavities. They can occur on bonded as well as non-bonded teeth.
How do dental veneers compare to dental bonding?
Veneers are more aesthetically pleasing than bonded material, which is your filling material. Veneers are manufactured in a lab, allowing for greater aesthetics, translucency, and tooth shape structure.
Bonding is done chairside, in the office by the dentist. Even though we try to match your teeth and the bonded material as best as possible, we may not achieve the same level of aesthetics that a lab can create.
What material is used for dental bonding?
The material used for bonding is a regular filling material, but of higher quality than standard filling material because we aim to achieve better aesthetics.
What are the steps involved in dental bonding?
The steps are simple:
- The teeth are cleaned and bonded, and then the filling material used for bonding is applied to the teeth.
- The teeth and filling material are shaped accordingly and then polished.
- There should be no demarcation between the filling and the tooth, which is our goal.
Does dental bonding hurt and how long does it take?
It shouldn't hurt at all and doesn't take too much time. Once the bonding is done, it's complete. We advise our patients to be mindful when biting into hard foods like sandwiches, bread, or apples because the bonding is replacing some of your missing tooth structure. Just be mindful of it. That's about it.
How should I care for my bonded teeth?
The same care you would take for your own teeth applies. It's the same eating, brushing, and flossing routine, but be mindful of hard items. Chew on your back teeth, not your front teeth. You should brush and floss normally as you would otherwise.
How long does dental bonding last?
It depends on how many teeth are bonded and the extent of the issue. A larger breakage will take longer to achieve the right aesthetics and strength, while a smaller chip can be done more quickly.
Dental bonding can last many years or a short time, depending on your care at home. If you bite nails, chew on pens, or consume hard foods with your front teeth, it will last a shorter time.
How much does dental bonding cost?
The cost of dental bonding depends on the extent of the bonding. Are we replacing one surface or many surfaces of the same tooth, or are we replacing many teeth at the same time? The aesthetic match with the rest of the teeth also affects the cost.
Does insurance cover dental bonding?
Sometimes insurance covers dental bonding if the breakage or loss of tooth structure is significant. Sometimes they don't. It depends. We submit the claims to your insurance and see what they decide.
When should I get dental bonding done?
Make an appointment as soon as you can and want. If there is breakage on your teeth and you see it actively breaking down further, get it done as soon as possible. Bonding prevents further breakage, poor aesthetic results, further fractures, and potential root canals. Get your bonding done as soon as possible.
If you’re looking for dental care you can trust, call us at (202) 223-2070 or email [email protected]. We’re here to help you have the smile you've always wanted!
