What Issues Can Tooth Bonding Help Fix?

Dental bonding is considered to be a simple solution that fixes a variety of dental problems. It is a quick and pain-free tooth restoration treatment that can make significant improvement on how your teeth look and function. The procedure involves application of a tooth-colored resin on the tooth to be repaired, which is then hardened with a special light.

How Is Dental Bonding Done?

Usually, tooth bonding is performed in a single dental visit. No anesthesia is required unless there is an underlying issue like tooth decay that needs to be treated first. To prepare the tooth, our dentist in Columbia, MD will clean your teeth and then the tooth or teeth being treated will be isolated using a rubber dam. An etching solution such as phosphoric acid is then applied on the tooth to help roughen it up so that the bonding material adhere firmly. After the bonding resin is applied, the dentist will sculpt and smoothen it out to match your natural teeth.

This process does not hurt in any way and most people will comfortably sit through it without need for sedation. It is also an effective way of hiding flaws on your teeth as the resin to be used I usually matched to the natural color of your teeth, making it difficult for anyone to notice that you have undergone some dental work.

Problems Fixed with Tooth Bonding

Chipped or Cracked Teeth: If you have suffered trauma that left you with a chipped or cracked tooth, you can easily fix the issue with tooth bonding. This not only improves the appearance of your smile but also restores the integrity of the damaged tooth, preventing a more serious problem. However, take note that only small to medium chips can be fixed with bonding, if the chip or breakage is large, our Columbia dentist you may recommend veneers or crowns. And, if you have missing tooth or teeth, our dentist may recommend restorative services such as dental implants near you.

Tooth discoloration: While regular brushing is supposed to help maintain the color of your smile, staining and discoloration is inevitable overtime. Teeth whitening may seem like the best chance at improving the shade of your smile but for some stubborn discoloration marks, bonding is the only effective solution. Usually this is done if only a few teeth are affected.

Tooth Decay: Composite resin can be used to fill part of the tooth that has been eaten away by decay. This provides the tooth with extra support and strength as it is directly applied onto the tooth. It is also a better alternative to fillings since it can be matched to the shade of your teeth for a natural look.

Tooth Gaps: If you have any gaps between your teeth that you find unsightly, our dentist near you will recommend tooth bonding. Once applied onto the teeth, the resin can be sculped to any shape or size your desire to give you the perfect smile. This means that it can help make your teeth look longer, change the shape and at the same time close spaces in between teeth.

Sensitivity: You will experience tooth sensitivity when your enamel wears off to the point that the dentin layer is exposed. It can also happen when your gums recede, exposing the root of the teeth. composite resin used in bonding can help protect roots of teeth that are exposed when gums recede.

How to Maintain and Care for Your Teeth After A Bonding Procedure

At Model Dental Care, we strive to deliver quality and effective results to our patients. This is why we take time to educate patients of aftercare tips that will ensure dental bonding treatment lasts a long time. Our dentist in Columbia, MD advices patients to reduce intake of staining foods such as red and wine and coffee since composite resin discolors easily. You should also quit smoking and avoid biting or chewing hard objects as the dental bonding may chip. Dental hygiene still remains important and you should still brush and floss at least twice every day.

While tooth bonding is considered a cosmetic procedure, it is still widely used in general dentistry as a restorative technique. For this reason, you may find that insurance plans may or may not cover it depending on the reason for having it done.