Cincinnati Dental Bonding from Professional Cosmetic Dentists
What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding, or tooth bonding, is a dental process used to repair a chipped, decayed, discolored, or fractured tooth. Bonding can also be used to close a gap between two teeth, or even out a bite line with uneven teeth, like the front teeth. Dental bonding falls under cosmetic dentistry, but like all methods of repairing damaged teeth, there are health and quality-of-life benefits as well.
How Does Dental Bonding Work?
Bonding uses a composite material known as a resin. The resin color is selected using a shade guide to match the patient’s tooth exactly. Then the dentist prepares the surface of the tooth by etching it. This roughening process helps the bonding material adhere to the tooth. Next, the dentist applies a conditioning liquid to the tooth. This also helps the bonding material to adhere to the tooth.
Unlike tooth veneers and crowns, which require significant permanent alteration to the tooth, this etching process for dental bonding doesn’t even go through the enamel. So, if you have bonding resin applied to close a gap or cover discoloration, if you later decide on a different method of tooth restoration, the dental bonding process can easily be reversed, replaced or altered.
The bonding resin initially resembles putty, and the dentist sculpts it to fit the shape of the tooth. Once the dentist is satisfied with the shape of the dental bonding, he or she will harden it with an ultraviolet light or a laser. Once the bonding material has hardened, the dentist will trim it to fit the tooth’s shape more precisely. The dentist will then polish the bonding material so that it matches the surface appearance of the tooth.
Dental bonding is a great way to salvage a broken or chipped tooth that doesn’t need to be extracted but does need to be sealed, protected and have its appearance restored. Whenever possible, we try to save broken teeth and teeth with damaged fillings, and dental bonding is a great way to save a messed up tooth and completely restore its appearance without any discomfort, all in one appointment.
Benefits of Tooth Bonding for Chipped & Broken Teeth
Bonding is one of the least expensive dental procedures, and among the easiest to perform. The ease with which dental bonding is done, and the way it covers unsightly teeth, makes it among the least expensive dental cosmetic procedures with the most benefits. Not to mention it’s non-invasive, painless and has no recovery or wait time.
Another benefit of tooth bonding is that it can close spaces between teeth without the use of orthodontics. It can also improve a tooth’s appearance, and can change the color or shape of a tooth. Additionally, bonding can protect the exposed portion of a tooth’s root. Bonding is useful for making a tooth attractive, but it can also help protect that tooth. Dental bonding is a perfect example of a procedure that falls under cosmetic dentistry but also has protective oral health benefits.
Cosmetic Dentistry from a Top Cincinnati Dental Practice
The dental bonding process for a single tooth usually requires 30 minutes to an hour to complete. Chipped or broken teeth are an urgent situation, so if your dental bonding is about more than just cosmetics, we also serve as an emergency dentist for area residents. If you are in need of Cincinnati dental bonding services, contact our office today by calling 513.489.7800 or using our online contact form.