Bonding

Bonding is a dental procedure used to strengthen and enhance teeth both functionally and aesthetically. It involves applying resin to your tooth and then curing or hardening it with light. This process creates a strong bond between your natural tooth and the added material.

COMMON BONDING PROCEDURES

• If your tooth chips or cracks, we can use bonding to repair the damaged area and restore your tooth to its former shape and size.
• Bonding is used to fill in spots where decay has occurred. Bonding is sometimes preferred over traditional amalgam fillings because it is much less noticeable as the color matches your tooth unlike unsightly metal.
• We can use bonding to fill in an unwanted gap or space in your smile.
• Bonding can be used for aesthetic purposes like lengthening your teeth or changing your tooth shape. It’s a great alternative to pricey veneers.
• If your gums have receded, bonding can be used to fill in the worn away spaces.

BONDING MATERIAL

The resin material used in bonding is also known as “dental composite.” It contains both plastic and glass elements to create a tooth-colored, natural looking material. Fillers and modifiers are often added to the composite to make it more strong, durable, and malleable. If the bonding material is being used for one of your back teeth, a material with maximum strength will be selected. If it is being used for one of your front teeth, the material that is the most aesthetically pleasing will be used.

BONDING PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH

Bonding is one of the most common services here at Taylor Cosmetic Dental. It is often used in conjunction with other treatments and it is relatively quick, painless and noninvasive. Here is what you can expect.

• Before we can bond an area, we need to prepare it. We will clean the area thoroughly and then “etch” it or rough it up. This is done to give the bonding material a surface to grip. Often times this etching process is done with an acidic solution with 35 percent phosphoric acid. When applied to your enamel, the solution will take it from shiny and smooth to jagged and rough.
• Then we select a shade of resin that most closely matches your tooth.
• We apply the resin, mold it and shape it as needed. At this stage the resin is soft and putty-like.
• Then we cure the resin with a blue laser light. These special dental lights are used for just seconds but the light they project is so specific and powerful it gets the job done perfectly.
• After the resin is sufficiently hardened and set, we can make any last adjustment by trimming and shaping.
• Lastly, we polish the tooth to give it a shiny, smooth appearance. Typically, anesthesia is not needed for bonding unless we are filling a cavity.

HOW LONG DOES BONDING LAST?

Bonding material typically lasts anywhere from 3 years to 10+ years depending on the area it is applied and dental hygiene habits.

The resin used in bonding can chip or stain, especially if you have a habit of chewing on pens or ice. Good oral hygiene can help you avoid any issues and we advise against smoking and excessive tea, coffee and soda consumption to avoid staining.

HOW MUCH DOES BONDING COST?

Pricing and insurance coverage for bonding varies. Always check with our front office when scheduling a procedure so you can get an estimation for payment. Insurance companies are more likely to cover a restorative procedure like filling a cavity than something cosmetic like fixing a gap in your teeth.