Limitations of Cosmetic Dental Bonding
While cost effective, there are some limitations to cosmetic dental bonding. The composite resin used in dental bonding is not as strong as your actual tooth, and it isn't as strong as other alternatives like porcelain veneers. If you choose to receive dental bonding in our Bronx, NY office to repair a chipped or cracked tooth, it will look like part of your natural tooth, but it will eventually need to be replaced. If you bite your nails or chew on ice, pens, pencils, or other hard objects, the resin bonding may break sooner, and you may need to replace it with a stronger porcelain option. How long your cosmetic dental bonding lasts depends on where and how much bonding was done and how well you take care of it.
The Dental Bonding Procedure
Dental bonding is usually completed in a single visit, typically taking 30 to 60 minutes per tooth. Because there's little to no change to your natural tooth, anesthesia often isn't needed unless the bonding is filling a cavity.
- Shade matching. Your dentist selects a resin color that closely matches your natural teeth.
- Preparing the tooth. The tooth surface is gently roughened and treated with a conditioning liquid so the bonding material adheres properly.
- Applying and sculpting. The tooth-colored resin is applied, molded, and smoothed into the desired shape.
- Hardening. A special curing light hardens the resin.
- Polishing. Your dentist trims and polishes the bonding so it blends in with the rest of your tooth.
Benefits of Cosmetic Bonding
- Results in a single visit
- One of the most affordable cosmetic dental treatments
- Preserves your natural tooth structure
- Natural-looking, color-matched results
- Easy to repair or touch up if needed
Bonding vs. Veneers vs. Crowns
Bonding is ideal for small cosmetic changes, such as fixing a chip, closing a small gap, or covering a stain on one or a few teeth. Porcelain veneers are a better choice when you want a more dramatic, longer-lasting change across several teeth, since porcelain resists staining and lasts much longer. If a tooth is badly damaged or decayed, a dental crown may be needed to protect the whole tooth. For a complete transformation, ask us about a smile makeover combining several treatments.
Caring for Your Dental Bonding
- Brush twice a day and floss daily
- Limit coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco, especially in the first 48 hours, since bonding material can stain
- Avoid biting your nails or chewing on ice, pens, or other hard objects
- Keep up with regular dental exams and teeth cleanings so we can check your bonding and polish it as needed
Thinking about whitening? Bonding material doesn't change color with whitening treatments. If you'd like a brighter smile overall, we recommend teeth whitening before your bonding appointment so we can match the resin to your new shade.
Chipped a Tooth?
Bonding is one of the quickest ways to repair a chipped or broken front tooth. If you've just chipped a tooth, save any pieces, rinse your mouth with warm water, and call us at (718) 823-3000. We provide emergency dental care for new and existing patients.
