Teeth Bonding
Everything You Need to Know
Teeth are naturally resilient, and our enamel is the strongest tissue in the human body. However, it only takes one bite of a hard substance or an unfortunate collision with another person to spell trouble for your teeth. Dentists have seen it all before.
Thankfully, modern treatments can easily repair a chipped, cracked or otherwise damaged tooth. If you find yourself in such a position, teeth bonding could be the most effective option for restoring your smile. Here’s everything you need to know about this popular dental treatment.
What is Teeth Bonding?
Teeth bonding (also known as “composite bonding” or “dental bonding”) is a cosmetic dental procedure used for filling chips and fractures in the teeth. It can also be used to treat discolouration, fix gaps between the teeth and even change the shape of a tooth.
A simple and relatively inexpensive procedure, teeth bonding is one of the most common treatments administered by dental practitioners. A tooth-coloured composite resin (a durable plastic material) is bonded to the surface of the damaged tooth to restore its former appearance.
While teeth bonding is similar in method to some other popular treatments like fillings, it differs in that its main purpose is cosmetic rather than restorative, with a focus on changing the shape or colour of an unattractive tooth.
How Teeth Bonding Works
The teeth bonding procedure is simple and can be completed in one visit to the dentist. The appointment will begin with an examination of the damaged teeth to determine whether dental bonding is the right course of treatment to take.
With this established, your dentist will use a shade chart to find a composite resin colour that closely matches the natural appearance of your teeth. Once this has been selected, the dentist will then prepare for the bonding stage.
This process consists of roughening the surface of the tooth and applying a liquid gel that acts as an adhesive for the bonding material. The composite resin is then applied to the tooth and moulded to the desired shape.
A bright, UV light is used to solidify the bonding material once it has settled. After it has hardened, your dentist will polish the composite resin to create a smooth and natural-looking smile.
The entire process takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete. As a non-invasive dental procedure, teeth bonding is relatively painless and generally doesn’t require an anesthetic unless the dentist is required to fill a cavity.
Your perfect smile is just one appointment away—let’s make it happen!
