Do you have a cracked or chipped tooth? If yes, then you should try dental bonding. Dental bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that uses a tooth-colored compound resin to repair a broken or fragmented tooth. Tooth bonding is considered one of the most straightforward dental procedures since it is completely non-invasive and doesn’t require anesthesia. Be that as it may, there are several essential things you need to know about this procedure before you go to your dentist. Knowing what to expect during the process makes the experience smoother. Here is what happens when you go for dental bonding.
The Procedure
Since dental bonding is non-invasive, it requires little preparation. In most cases, it only takes half an hour to bond a single tooth. Therefore, you can have your damaged tooth repaired in just a single visit. However, it is advisable to schedule several appointments if you want to repair several teeth. The dentist starts by applying the composite resin to the affected tooth. This resin should blend in with your teeth so that it looks natural. The dentist will then smooth and shape the resin to ensure it looks like your tooth. Once the doctor finalizes the right shape, ultraviolet light is applied to harden the resin. Finally, the repaired tooth will be polished to ensure it matches the shine of the rest of your teeth.
Durability
One of the most frequently asked questions about dental bonding is how long it lasts. The truth is that the longevity of your tooth bonding depends on the location. For instance, bonding placed on the edge of the tooth, won’t last long because you will be using it to bite into your food. Therefore, you have to be extra careful about the type of food you eat if your tooth bonding is on the edge of your anterior teeth.
After Care
You need to understand that dental bonding isn’t as strong as a regular tooth. So, you have to take proper care of it, perhaps even change some of your habits. Dental experts advise people who have teeth bonding to cut down on red wine, coffee, and tea because they might cause stains on the resin that are even harder to remove. Furthermore, you need to quit smoking (a good idea anyway) if you want your dental bonding to last longer. Other bad habits that you need to kick include biting nails and chewing on pens and other hard objects.