What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding involves the use of composite resin, which is the same material utilized for composite fillings. It allows for the reshaping of a tooth. Through a process called Bonded Restoration, teeth that are chipped, cracked, or broken can be rebuilt using composite resin. This restorative procedure effectively restores the tooth to its original condition and can have long-lasting results with regular care. Additionally, dental bonding serves as a cosmetic treatment, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of a smile. It can address concerns such as tooth reshaping, colour correction, and gap closure, all without requiring veneers or orthodontic treatment.
Comparing Dental Bonding to Other Treatment Options
Numerous options exist for restoring your teeth or attaining your desired smile. The most suitable choices for you will depend on your individual needs. We would be delighted to discuss all of the available options and provide a comprehensive overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each during your appointment. Nevertheless, here are a few benefits of dental bonding to consider:
Fast and Painless
Unlike fillings or dental veneers, dental bonding typically requires minimal to no drilling to prepare the tooth for treatment. This means that very little, if any, of your natural tooth structure needs to be removed during the preparation process. As a result, the bonding procedure is generally considered to be almost completely painless.
Affordable Investment
Extensive treatments like dental veneers and orthodontics often come with a higher cost, which is justified due to the personalized treatment plans and greater complexity involved in achieving more extensive and dramatic changes. However, when it comes to minor changes affecting a few teeth, dental bonding offers a straightforward and cost-effective treatment option.
Ideal for Minor Repairs
It is worth reiterating that if you have significant changes in mind for your smile, a more complex treatment plan involving dental veneers, crowns, or orthodontics may be beneficial. However, for minor changes, dental bonding remains the simplest and most straightforward solution available.
The Process of Dental Bonding at Breslau
Regardless of whether you are undergoing dental bonding for restorative purposes or purely for aesthetic reasons, the process remains consistent. Here is an overview of what you can expect during your dental bonding appointment:
Preparing the Tooth for Bonding
To begin the dental bonding process, a thin film of plastic called a dental matrix is placed to protect the neighboring teeth. This dental matrix is carefully inserted between your teeth, creating a shield that prevents any stray preparation gel or composite resin from affecting the adjacent tooth. Following that, your dentist will meticulously clean and dry the tooth. They will then apply a mildly acidic gel to the tooth’s surface for a brief period. This gel creates a roughened surface that helps facilitate the adhesion of the bonding material.
Starting the Composite Resin Treatment
After the removal of the acidic gel and thorough drying of the tooth, the next step involves the application of composite resin. The dentist will carefully select a resin shade that closely matches the colour of your teeth, ensuring a natural-looking outcome. The composite resin is applied in successive layers, with each layer being cured using a special blue light. This curing process solidifies and strengthens the resin, contributing to its maximum durability and strength.
Finalizing the Smile
Following the assessment of your bite, the dental bonding process is concluded. As a final touch, the dentist will perform a quick polish on the tooth, leaving it looking beautifully natural. It’s possible that you may even find it difficult to distinguish the repaired tooth. A record will be made in your dental chart, and during subsequent exams, the dentist will provide special attention to the bonded tooth, checking for any signs of wear and tear.
The Cost at Breslau for Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is utilized for a wide range of purposes, making it challenging to provide a general cost estimate without understanding your specific needs and conducting a thorough dental examination. However, as a rough estimate, dental bonding typically costs around $300 to $600 per tooth without insurance coverage. Most insurance companies do cover dental bonding, particularly for restorative purposes such as repairing broken or damaged teeth. With insurance, out-of-pocket expenses usually range from $60 to $120.
When determining the cost of your dental bonding treatment, several factors are taken into consideration, including the number of teeth that require bonding, the need for any new x-rays, the amount of composite resin required for the procedure, the location of the teeth in your mouth, and your overall oral health.
It’s important to note that an accurate quote cannot be provided over the phone. After a thorough examination, we would be delighted to offer you a precise quote in person, allowing you to have a clear understanding of your final costs and make an informed decision.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longevity of dental bonding can vary based on factors such as the specific location of the bonding, your eating habits, and your overall routine oral hygiene practices. Typically, dental bonding can last anywhere from 4 to 10 years or even longer. If wear and tear are detected during your routine dental exams, additional composite resin can be applied to reinforce and maintain the strength of your dental bonding.
While dental bonding is not considered a permanent solution, it is highly durable and can last for over a decade with proper routine dental care, healthy eating habits, and regular dental exams. Should your dental bonding exhibit signs of wear and tear, it can be strengthened and reinforced by applying additional layers of composite resin.
Dental veneers and dental bonding are two distinct procedures offering different advantages. Dental veneers are a superior long-term option, particularly for patients seeking more significant or dramatic changes to their smile. They provide lasting results and are ideal for those desiring transformative enhancements. On the other hand, dental bonding has a shorter lifespan but is more cost-efficient for minor changes. It is a less invasive procedure as it requires minimal alteration of the natural tooth structure.
Dental bonding carries minimal risks as it preserves the integrity of your natural tooth, which remains almost completely intact under the bonding. Although the bonding material itself may chip or break over time, it can be easily repaired. One common concern voiced by patients is that dental bonding does not lighten with teeth whitening treatments. To address this, you may choose to undergo teeth whitening before getting dental bonding or have the bonding replaced to match the shade of your natural teeth after a whitening treatment.
If you have concerns about the durability of dental bonding, considering dental veneers or crowns may be beneficial. These options are stronger and have a longer lifespan compared to dental bonding.
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