How you feel about your smile plays a massive role in your life, from your relationships and careers to your mental health. In fact, 74% of Americans feel having an unattractive smile can impact their success. The good news is that affordable dentistry options like dental bonding can transform your smile. But what is dental bonding and how does it all work? Learning more about the process will ease your nerves and help you decide on the next steps.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about dental bonding to see how it can help your smile.

What Is Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding or teeth bonding is a dental procedure that involves applying a composite resin to the surface of a tooth to make repairs. 

Resin is a special plastic material that’s incredibly durable and is used in other dental procedures like cavity fillings. After application, it’s hardened with a special light that bonds the material to your teeth, restoring your smile.

In most cases, bonding is mainly for your front teeth, but it can be done on any tooth, depending on your needs.

Why Do People Get Dental Bonding?

Dental teeth bondings are a great option for fixing cracked or chipped teeth along with other imperfections. Other common reasons people turn to dental bonding include:

• Improve the appearance of discolored teeth
• Improve the shape of your teeth
• Can make your teeth appear longer
• Can close small gaps in between your teeth

You can also get dental bonding to replace silver amalgam fillings for a better cosmetic solution. In addition, teeth bonding is effective for protecting teeth roots if you have problems with gum recession.

What Are the Advantages of Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding offers many advantages, especially when compared to other cosmetic treatments. The main advantages include:

Minimally Invasive

First, it’s minimally invasive meaning it doesn’t require much tooth alteration. Procedures like veneers and dental crowns require enamel removal to alter the tooth first. Bonding doesn’t typically require enamel removal, making the procedure far less invasive overall.

This means you generally won’t need anesthesia and can continue with your daily routine after the procedure. Since dental bonding is less complicated, you can often complete it during one dental visit.

Not Permanent

Since your teeth aren’t altered, dental bonding isn’t permanent. You can actually reverse it at any time. Even though it’s not permanent, dental bonding can last well over 10 years, especially with the latest technology.

Usually Takes Less Than an Hour 

In most cases, the bonding takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes for each tooth. However, this can vary depending on your needs.

Cost Effective

Dental bonding is one of the least expensive cosmetic dental procedures you can get. This makes dental bonding a great solution if you want to improve your smile on a tight budget.

Who Is a Candidate for Dental Bonding?

You’ll need to see a dentist to discuss your goals and concerns about your smile. It’s best to find a dentist with extensive experience in dental bonding and other cosmetic procedures.

Your dentist will begin by doing a complete examination of your teeth and gums. They’ll also do dental X-rays to evaluate the health of your tooth roots and jawbone.

If you have issues with gum disease, tooth decay, or other oral health conditions, you’ll likely need to treat those issues first.

There is no special preparation you need to do for this procedure.

Your dentist will talk to you about anesthesia options. You may not need any anesthesia if they don’t need to work near your tooth root.

What Does a Dental Bonding Procedure Involve?

The dental bonding procedure involves specific steps. Once you arrive you can expect specific treatment stages like:

Shade Selection

Your dentist needs to match the composite resin material shade with the natural color of your teeth. They’ll use a shade guide to determine the best shade.

Tooth Preparation

Once shade selection is complete, your dentist must prepare your tooth. This involves cleaning your teeth so the resin will bond better. Your tooth may also need to be roughened using a conditioning liquid.

Applying Composite Resin

Your dentist will then apply the composite resin material. This material is almost putty-like and will need to be molded into the right shape. 

Curing the Resin

When the composite resin is molded to the correct shape, it needs to be hardened using a special UV curing light. This is what bonds the resin to your tooth.

Final Shaping and Polishing

Once the resin hardens, your dentist will trim and shape it further. Then they’ll polish the area until it matches the rest of your tooth’s surface.

How Do You Care for Bonded Teeth?

You must care for your teeth well if you want your bonding to last. This is the time to evaluate your oral health habits and make improvements along the way.

The most important thing to do after tooth bonding is to practice proper oral hygiene. You’ll need to brush at least twice daily and floss at least once daily. 

Take extra care to brush your teeth after eating something sweet or after drinking coffee or red wine. The resin can stain, and it’s especially essential to avoid consuming staining foods or drinks for the first 48 hours.

You should also take steps like:

• Avoid chewing ice
• Avoid chewy or hard candies
• Avoid placing sharp objects in your mouth
• Avoid picking at the bonding
• Call your dentist immediately for any issues

Finally, be sure to visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups.

Talk to a Dentist About Dental Bonding Today

Now that you know the answer to the question “What is dental bonding,” you’ll feel more confident about this procedure overall.

If you’re looking for a local dentist in St. Louis, Clayton, and Central West End Missouri, you can turn to Forest Park Dental. We provide a complete range of cosmetic dentistry services like dental bonding, veneers, lumineers, whitening, and more.

You can also turn to us for general and restorative dentistry services like cleanings, extractions, dental crowns, and implants.

Our compassionate team will focus on your needs and ensure you have a healthy and confident smile. Make sure to contact us today to schedule an appointment