Teeth bonding (also known as dental bonding) is a cosmetic procedure used to improve the look of cracked, chipped, and/or short teeth and to close small gaps between teeth.
This is a popular option because it addresses your problem and provides the best aesthetic results. This way, regardless of the procedure, you can smile confidently and no one can see you had dental work done.
Process
is generally a three-step process. When you come in for your appointment, our dentist will have to shave some enamel to ensure the resin bonds to your teeth, but the amount removed is less than half a millimeter.
Next, we apply a putty-like resin to your tooth and ensure it’s shaped naturally and looks aesthetic. Then, the resin is hardened on your tooth using an ultraviolet light or laser restoring the functionality and appearance.
The whole process takes about 30 to 60 minutes from start to finish to bond one tooth. If you need multiple teeth bonded, your appointment will likely be longer, or you’ll need to schedule multiple appointments.
The good news is there’s zero recovery time from teeth bonding. You’re able to safely drive and return to work immediately after the procedure.
Benefits
There are a lot of benefits to including:
- Easy to Maintain
- Take care of bonded teeth just like normal teeth
- Less expensive
- Generally speaking, dental bonding is less expensive than alternative procedures
- Minimally invasive
- You keep more of your natural tooth structure
- Natural Appearance
- You can have greater self-confidence knowing you have a better smile
Does it Hurt?
The teeth bonding procedure is relatively painless. Most likely, you won’t even need pain relievers. However, you may experience some tooth sensitivity to heat and cold after the procedure. If you experience this side effect, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers.
Bonding vs Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers (also known as dental veneers) are a corrective covering attached to your front-facing teeth to cover up chips, cracks, slight gaps, and make smaller teeth look longer.
The main difference between the two is that the resin in dental bonding becomes a part of your tooth whereas porcelain veneers are attached to the front of your tooth. With proper care, veneers last 10 to 15 years whereas dental bonding lasts 3 to 10 (also depends on how much was used).
Porcelain veneers are applied using a special dental cement so they don’t come off easily, but if they are not properly taken care of they can come off. However, the veneers are better equipped to resist decay and staining than dental resin and natural teeth.
Impact on Other Oral Appliances
If you have a retainer, mouthguard, or another oral appliance, dental bonding may affect how those fit, but even if it does, the effect should be minimal. However, if you experience significant discomfort, let your dentist know.
Call Us Today!
If you’re self-conscious about your smile, our cosmetic dentists in Novi, MI can help. Teeth bonding can improve cracked, chipped, discolored, and/or short teeth. To make an appointment, call R. Peter Maly DDS at (248) 347-3700!