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Are your teeth chipped or broken? Do you have gaps in your teeth? If so, dental bonding may be an appropriate treatment for reshaping your smile. You may not realize it, but you may have already received a dental treatment that involved dental bonding of some form from your dentist. Whether it was direct composite bonding or adhesive bonding of a restoration, dental bonding is a popular dental technique that has been performed in the dentist chair for years. Dental bonding can be used to give you a complete smile makeover in one simple visit. Types of Bonding Adhesive bonding is used to attach a restoration to a tooth using a bonding agent, an adhesive and a high intensity curing light. This is typically used for metal-free crowns, porcelain veneers, bridges and inlays/onlays. For direct composite bonding, your dentist can use tooth-colored composites to fill cavities, repair chips or cracks, close gaps between your teeth and build up the worn-down edges of teeth. These composite materials may also be directly applied and sculpted to the surfaces of teeth that show most prominently when you smile. Composite bonding tends to be an ideal solution when small dental repairs are needed, such as chips, gaps between the teeth, staining and discoloration, slightly crooked and misshapen teeth. The Bonding Process The direct composite bonding procedure is usually completed in one dental visit. The more complicated or extensive treatments may require more than one visit. Whether your dentist uses direct composite or adhesive bonding, the process begins by isolating the teeth to prevent interference from moisture. Next, the tooth is prepared for application. Similar to how sandpaper is used to roughen up a surface, acid etching of the tooth surface strengthens the bond of the composite and the adhesive. After approximately 15 seconds it will be removed, and a liquid bonding agent is applied. With direct composite restorations, your dentist will place a putty-like composite resin in stages on the natural surface of the tooth, then shape and sculpt it. A high intensity curing light is then used to harden the layer of composite and repeated until the filling or direct composite resin does not dislodge or cause tooth sensitivity. With adhesive bonding, your dentist will place the appropriate adhesive into the restoration; place the restoration on the tooth and light-cure it using a high intensity curing light for the appropriate amount of time. It is not uncommon for your bonded tooth to feel sensitive after treatment. This sensitivity is short lived, but if it does persist, contact your dentist immediately. Taking Care of Your Teeth after Bonding The use of bonding can provide you with a healthy and beautiful smile for years to come. However, it is important to follow your dentist's recommendations for proper oral hygiene. This includes brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, and scheduling regular visits to your dentist for routine examinations and cleanings. Avoid habits that could also damage your restorations, such as biting your fingernails and chewing on pens, ice or other hard objects because direct composite bonding materials are prone to chipping. Your dentist in Palos Heights may also suggest a follow-up visit if you notice any sharp edges on the bonded tooth or teeth, or if the tooth feels differently when you bite down.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading dentists in Tinley Park, Dr. Kyle Takla and Dr. Teresa Terez. Dr. Takla is a Orland Park, Tinley Park and Palos Heights dentist exhibiting years of experience in providing quality dental health care for patients of all ages. Experienced in implants, Invisalign and root canals, Dr. Takla is the best choice for dental health care.
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