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Is Dental Bonding Right for You?

Apr 27, 2015 | cosmetic dentistry

So in this post, we’ll shed light on this popular cosmetic dentistry service and the problems it solves. Maybe it can help you!

Candidates for Dental Bonding

Anyone with one of the following smile blemishes should consider this procedure:

  • A chipped tooth
  • A “pegged” shaped tooth they are unhappy with
  • A gap between teeth they’d like closed

The Basics of the Bonding Procedure

We can usually do a bonding procedure in one office visit. This is because tooth’s natural enamel and dentin make for a reliable adhesive surface and little to no tooth reduction is needed.

During the treatment, we prepare the surfaces for adhesion and then apply composite resin to fix the issue. This material, which is a mix of plastic and porcelain, can be matched to the exact shade of your existing teeth. It fills gaps, restores chips, and can completely reshape a tooth.

In the final step, we use an ultraviolet light to harden the resin.

Jacksonville dentist Dr. Harris Rittenberg explains why dental bonding is a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure.

Dental bonding can fix a number of smile blemishes.

Post-Procedure Recommendations

We recommend avoiding “staining” consumables for the first 48 hours afterward. The most common tooth “stainers” are coffee, tea, and cigarette smoke. It’s also important to brush, floss, and use a fluoride mouthwash at least twice a day after the procedure to make sure the resin does not stain.

Bonding Benefits and Drawbacks

Bonding is one of the most sought after cosmetic procedures. Patients like it because it’s fast, more affordable than veneers or crowns, and requires no anesthesia. The treatment can last several years depending on the amount of resin applied and the patient’s oral habits.

The main drawback is that resin is not as strong as a porcelain crown or veneer. It is more susceptible to chipping and breaking. Also, bonding needs a certain amount of enamel and dentin to adhere to, so people with severe gaps or chips may not be candidates for the procedure.

For More Information

If you live in the Jacksonville area and want to learn more about dental bonding, call 904-384-4391, message us on Facebook, or email drrittenberg@drritettenberg.com. We’ll go through the options and let you know if it’s the right procedure for you.