What is Dental Bonding?

Dentists have a variety of procedures to choose from in restoring patient’s teeth and enhancing their smiles. Dental bonding is one such tool, and it is one of the less invasive interventions.

The best dentists in Keller can use dental bonding to conceal a chip, crack or stain in a tooth. A tooth-colored composite resin is applied to the problem area and then cured using a special light.

Many patients choose dental bonding because the treatment is completed in a single visit to the dentist. It is also very affordable.

The dentist begins the dental bonding process by selecting a shade of composite that comes closest to matching the patient’s tooth.

Next, the dentist will etch the tooth to create a rough surface that will improve the composite resin’s ability to adhere to the tooth. A liquid coating is applied to the tooth for an additional adhesive effect.

After the tooth has been prepped, the dentist will apply the soft resin and then mold it into the desired shape. Then, the resin is cured, or set in place, using a special light. If necessary, the dentist can polish and smooth the bonding after the resin has been cured.

In addition to repairing damaged teeth, bonding can also be used to fill in diastema, or gaps between the teeth.

Dental bonding is a versatile restorative dentistry technique, but it does have some limitations. Dental bonding may be insufficient for severely damaged teeth, and patients may have to consider alternative treatments, such as porcelain veneers or crowns, in such cases.

Bonding will last for several years, but it may not be as durable as some other restorative treatments. Patients should be prepared to have their bonding repaired periodically.

In order to maximize the longevity of bonding, patients should take care to avoid biting directly into hard objects, like ice cubes, and break bad habits such as chewing on pen caps. Good oral hygiene habits are also important to maintaining dental bonding.

If you need to have a minor repair to a tooth, consult with one of our dentists to see if dental bonding will be an effective treatment.