Your Parksville Invisalign® Provider
Dental bonding is a non-invasive cosmetic dental procedure that can help improve the appearance of your smile. Here, our Parksville dentists provide some facts about how dental bonding can be used to repair discoloured, gapped teeth and restore your smile.
What is dental bonding?
Dental bonding is a minimally invasive, safe, and effective cosmetic dental procedure. Your dentist will paint tooth-coloured composite resin on your teeth, shape them to match the surrounding teeth and polish them to finish the appearance of a natural-looking smile.
We call the process 'dental bonding' because the composite resin literally bonds to the tooth.
Why would I need dental bonding?
Dental bonding is most frequently used cosmetically to close gaps between teeth, make teeth appear longer, or change the shape or colour of teeth that are chipped or discoloured.
Bonding is also sometimes used as an alternative to silver (amalgam) fillings, or to cover exposed tooth roots due to receding gums.
What happens during a dental bonding procedure?
When your dentist performs a dental bonding treatment, the dentist applies composite resin to your tooth in layers. A light is used to harden each layer.
After the last layer is hardened, the dentist shapes and polishes it to fit your tooth, resulting in a smooth, natural-looking tooth that complements the rest of your smile.
How long does dental bonding take?
Dental bonding typically takes 30 to 60 minutes to complete per tooth. The bonding procedure can typically be finished in a single visit, as opposed to veneers, which must be made specifically for each patient in a dental lab and take more time.
How much does dental bonding cost?
Patients who come to us for dental bonding procedures frequently worry about the cost. Dental bonding is a successful, largely long-lasting cosmetic procedure, fortunately. Your particular price will depend on a number of variables, such as:
- Scope of work, where in the mouth your procedure is taking place and the size of the area to be bonded
- Insurance coverage - how much of the procedure will your insurance cover? (May depend on whether your issue is primarily cosmetic or structural)
- Your local area - costs may vary depending on which city your dentist is in, and which dental practice completes the procedure
How long does dental bonding last?
The composite resin your dentist will use during the bonding process will likely have a lifespan of between 4 and 8 years, and potentially up to 10 years.
How long the effects of dental bonding last can vary depending on your specific case (where in your mouth it’s applied) and how it’s maintained (excellent oral hygiene and attending your regularly scheduled dental visits is key).
We advise staying away from foods that are high in sugar or acid to prolong the life of your smile. Although fruit is good for you, it's important to brush and floss your teeth right away after eating it to prevent the growth of bacteria or plaque. The bonding material can also be damaged if you chew on hard candy or ice, bite down too firmly, or grind your teeth.
Your dentist can touch up the composite resin and re-bond it over time if required.