Teeth bonding is a dental procedure that improves the aesthetics of your smile. The material that is used for back and front teeth bonding is colored to match your natural tooth color, so people won’t know that you’ve had a procedure done to improve the shape of your teeth.
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What is Dental Bonding?
For a teeth bonding procedure, a special resin is applied to the tooth and shaped to create natural contours. In most cases, anesthesia is not needed. If you have tooth decay or previous dental work, you may be given a sedative to relax as the tooth is repaired. A special gel is used to mildly rough up the surface of the tooth to help the resin adhere to the tooth. An ultraviolet light is used to harden and cure the resin. After the resin hardens, it is shaped further and polished to match the neighboring teeth.
Why is Dental Bonding Needed?
Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure that many people choose to correct issues that make them feel self-conscious with their smiles. Some of the more common issues that are remedied with dental bonding are:
- Chipped tooth
- Gaps and spaces between the teeth
- Cracked tooth
- Broken tooth
- Stains that cannot be treated with teeth whitening
Advantages of Dental Bonding
Teeth bonding has many advantages that attract men and women to this option for improving the aesthetics of their smiles, such as:
- Dental bonding is one of the more affordable cosmetic treatments for teeth
- Bonding can be completed in a single appointment, whereas other options require multiple appointments
- Very little of the enamel is removed for dental bonding
- Several teeth can be treated at one time with teeth bonding
- Easy at-home care
Disadvantages of Dental Bonding
Although dental bonding does have some attractive features, you should be aware of the disadvantages of the procedure.
- Dental bonding is not as durable as crowns and veneers, and the resin make need to be repaired or replaced
- Resins used for teeth bonding can develop stains that are resistant to whitening treatments
- Teeth bonding is typically not covered by insurance, so you will pay the entire cost
Does the Dental Bonding Treatment Hurt?
In most cases, dental bonding is a comfortable and painless treatment to improve the shape, size, and color of your teeth. The tooth may need to be numbed if is has decay or other dental issues that may cause discomfort. When the tooth surface is prepared for the resin, you may feel a slight pressure on the tooth. The application of the resin and hardening with the ultraviolet light produces no sensations in the tooth.
What Happens After a Teeth Bonding Treatment
After your teeth bonding treatment, you can eat and drink as you normally do as there is no require downtime or special aftercare. A follow-up appointment may be scheduled to check the resin for any minor refinements that are needed and to answer any questions that you may have after enjoying the dental bonding for some time.
How Long Does Dental Bonding Last?
If you are considering cosmetic treatments for your teeth, one of the key factors is how long does dental bonding last. The answer to this question is based on several factors. First, the location of the bonding on the tooth surface. Restorations that are performed with bonding resins along the edge of the tooth tend to break down sooner than those that are placed in other areas of the tooth. The reason is that the edges of your teeth are where most pressure is placed when you bite down on food, and this may damage the resin. Second, the types of food that you enjoy eating impact how long the resin will last. If you love to eat hard or crunchy foods, your dental bonding may not last as long as someone who eats only soft foods. Most people can have dental bonding for about four to eight years before the resin needs to be replaced or repaired.
How Do I Take Care of Teeth with Dental Bonding
One of the many benefits of dental bonding that attract people to this cosmetic option is that the resin requires no special care at home. You can brush and floss as you normally do. You should check the resin for any cracks, chips, and stains, as these issues will need to be repaired to keep your teeth bonding in good shape. If possible, avoid foods that typically stain teeth, such as tea, coffee, and red wine. Smoking will also stain your bonding resin.
Does Insurance Cover Dental Bonding?
For cosmetic procedures, dental bonding cost is a consideration for many people. Specifically, they want to know if the teeth bonding cost is covered by their insurance. Most dental policies do not cover elective procedures, such as cosmetic treatments and dental bonding. You will find that the cost is very affordable, and you can start by scheduling a consultation to find out if teeth bonding is a good option for you. This way you feel confident that you are making a wise and affordable investment in your smile. We review the specific cost for your bonding treatment before performing the procedure.
Where Do I Find Dental Bonding Near Me?
Dr. Bruce Vafa, DDS, offers teeth bonding treatments for Los Angeles Residents, as well as other cosmetic dentistry and orthodontic treatments for children, adolescents, and adults in the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles area. Dr. Vafa encourages new and existing patients to meet with him to discuss their desires for a better, healthier smile. Consultations and pre-treatment evaluations are free. After the appointment, you see the recommended treatment plan and associated costs.