What is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding in poulsbo wa is the procedure of applying a tooth-colored composite resin directly to the tooth and is often used to repair decay, chips, fractures, or discoloration. Whereas veneers are manufactured in a laboratory after the patient has a mold taken of their teeth, and therefore require multiple visits not to mention waiting weeks for the product, bonding can be done in a single visit. Amongst cosmetic dental procedures, bonding is among the quickest, easiest, and least expensive.
There are a variety of reasons patients use bonding to address cosmetic dental issues. Fixing or closing gaps between teeth and fixing the appearance of a discolored, decayed, or chipped tooth are amongst the most frequent reasons bonding will be used. In other instances, bonding can be used as a cosmetic alternative to amalgam fillings or to protect tooth rot resulting from receding gums.
As mentioned, bonding treatments are easy and since they are painless, generally do not require anesthesia. To start, your dentist will use a shade chart to select a bonding material that best matches your natural tooth color. Once the color is selected, the effected tooth will be slightly etched or abraded in order to roughen it. This can be done manually or by applying a painless phosphoric acid solution to the tooth surface. Abrading the area allows the bonding materials to better adhere to the tooth and only takes a few minutes.
After the tooth is prepared, your dentist will apply the putty-like bonding resin to the tooth and smooth the area until it is the proper shape. Using high intensity ultraviolet light or a laser, the material is then hardened until cured. Upon curing, your dentist will further trim, shape, or polish the material until it matches the color of the surrounding teeth. Procedures generally take about 30 to 60 minutes to complete. Should you need to have more than one tooth done, you may need to schedule additional visits.
Aftercare is primarily focused on eliminating substances that can stain the bonding resin. Things like coffee, tea, cigarettes, or other substances that can stain the materials should be avoided for the first 48 hours after a composite procedure. Additionally, patients should ensure they floss and brush their teeth often as well as have routine cleanings by their dental hygienist. This will not only ensure proper overall dental hygiene but will help achieve lasting results with the bonded area.
There are minimal risks to bonding but patients should note that the bonding will never be as strong as the natural tooth material. As such, biting your fingernails, hard candy, or pens/pencils, are all things that should be avoided as they can chip the material. Bonding material can usually last several years before it needs to be repaired. Your oral habits as well as how much bonding was done will contribute to how long it will actually last for you. Should you notice any rough edges on the bonded teeth or anything feels off within days of having the bonding done, consult your dentist to have the area examined.
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