Blog Post

The Abundant Possibilities Dental Bonding Offers for Your Teeth

websitebuilder • January 31, 2018
Dental Bonding

While dentists use a variety of different materials, techniques, products, and tools to complete dental procedures, bonding is the one material and procedure dentists use for many different reasons. Dental bonding is extremely durable and versatile, and there are several key things to know about bonding.

What Is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is a procedure that dentists use for both restorative and cosmetic dentistry purposes. Restorative dentistry involves procedures dentists use to fix teeth that have problems. Cosmetic dentistry involves improving the looks of teeth through various dental procedures. Bonding is so versatile that dentists use it often for both of these purposes.

The bonding procedure involves placing a material on a tooth. When applied, it bonds to the tooth, which means it adheres to the tooth. The material dentists use for bonding is made of a resin, or plastic, material. Dentists tint the bonding material before applying it to teeth, and this allows them to match it to any shade of tooth they are working with.

When a dentist applies the bonding material, he or she will typically begin by etching the tooth, simply because the material sticks better to the inner layer of a tooth rather than the outer layer. After applied, the dentist will sand or shave the material so it looks natural and will aim a light at it to dry it. Once it dries, it hardens and becomes part of the tooth.

What Do Dentists Use Bonding For?

Dentists use bonding to fix the following types of problems with teeth:
  • Chips – A dentist can fill in a chip with a bonding material. Once it dries, the tooth will look natural and complete.
  • Gaps – Dentists also place bonding on the two teeth next to a gap. When they do this, the teeth become wider making the gap disappear.
  • Cavities – When a dentist removes a cavity, he or she will insert composite material into the hole. The material makes the tooth whole again and improves the strength of the tooth.
  • Discoloration – If a person has discolored teeth caused by intrinsic stains, a dentist can whiten the teeth by applying a thin layer of the bonding material to the teeth. When dentists do this, they choose a shade of white the patient desires for their teeth.
  • Short teeth – In some cases, dentists add bonding to teeth to lengthen the teeth. Dentists do this when a person wants to fix their shortened teeth.
  • Gum disease – There are also times when dentists apply bonding to the parts of a person's teeth that touch the gums. This protects the gums and helps prevent sensitivity and progression of gum disease.
Bonding is something dentists use for all these purposes and more. In fact, dentists can use bonding to fix almost any problem you have with your teeth.

What Benefits Does Bonding Offer Over Other Options?

Dental bonding is not the only procedure dentists use to fix the problems listed above. There actually are many other procedures available; however, bonding is typically the most cost-effective way to fix most problems.

Additionally, the process of bonding a tooth is fast and only requires one visit to the dentist. Other procedures typically require two to three visits. Bonding is also typically less painful. Depending on the procedure you need, you might not even need anesthesia to have it completed.

If you need any type of dental work completed, your dentist might recommend bonding. If you would like to learn more about dental bonding and how it can help you obtain a nicer, healthier smile, contact Rabel Family Dental General Dentistry.

Share by: