Tooth bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that uses a tooth-colored resin material to enhance the appearance of the smile. Tooth bonding is sometimes also called dental bonding or composite bonding. Bonding might be an excellent option when you have cracked or chipped teeth, discolored teeth, stains, and yellowing of teeth, or to correct the gaps between two teeth.

When is it recommended?

Dental bonding is a simple and affordable cosmetic treatment to correct the defects in the teeth and improve the aesthetics of the smile. The following conditions should be kept in mind to go for bonding.

• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Tooth discoloration
• Diastema, the space between two teeth
• Changing the shape of the teeth
• Increasing the length of the tooth
• To fill small cavities in
• Protect the roots that are exposed due to gum recession.

What is the procedure for bonding?

There are two methods for doing the bonding procedure. One is direct bonding and the other one is indirect bonding.

For any process to begin, your dentist uses a shade guide to choose the resin colour that closely matches your tooth appearance.

Indirect bonding

For indirect bonding procedures, it usually takes two visits to complete the whole procedure. In this, the restoration is crafted in the dental laboratory and then, with the help of a bonding agent, it is attached to the tooth. The following are the steps stated below:

• The first appointment involves the taking of an impression and then sending it to the lab for further processing to make the restoration.
• In a second appointment, the dentist attaches the restoration to the tooth with the help of a resin bonding agent.

Direct bonding

For direct bonding procedures, it takes only one visit to complete the procedure. Usually, it takes about 30 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on the dentist.

In this, the restoration is directly applied to the tooth and the whole procedure is done in-office. The following are the steps to be followed.

• Firstly, the teeth are cleaned for the best results. The tooth should be free of saliva for maximum adherence of material to the tooth.
• Next, the dentist will roughen the surface and then apply the resin over the tooth and shape the resin material.
• Once the shaping is done, it is cured with the help of ultraviolet light, which hardens the material.
• Additional changes should be made afterwards for the shape of the tooth.
• Finishing and polishing are done for the natural shine.

What care should be taken after tooth bonding?

Proper care and maintenance should be taken after a procedure to get the best outcome. No special care is necessary, but maintaining a good oral hygiene habits will extend the life of your restoration for a longer time. The following are some tips for your restoration.

• Oral hygiene is a must to avoid tooth decay. So brush at least twice a day and flossing is a must.
• As it is stain-resistant, avoid having foods that stain your teeth for 48 hours after the procedure. Also, consume these kinds of foods in a lesser quantity as bonded teeth have more chances of getting stained than natural teeth.
• Always use a toothbrush with soft bristles. This will help prevent damage to restoration and allow you to use it with a gentle touch. Avoid brushing aggressively.
• Avoid eating hard foods. More force is used for chewing, so there are more chances of breaking the restoration.
• Avoid habits such as fingernail biting or using teeth to open things. This will create pressure and it might fracture the bonded tooth.

Benefits of tooth bonding:

Every cosmetic procedure has its own set of advantages. Some are stated below.

• It is a painless and inexpensive treatment.
• It is a minimally invasive treatment compared to other treatments where little to no enamel is removed for tooth bonding.
• This is a safe procedure with no or low risk of complications and is totally reversible.
• Fast and convenient treatment is completed in just one visit.
• Bonding is often used to treat chipped or cracked teeth to preserve strength and prevent further tooth damage.

Disadvantages of tooth bonding include:

If there are advantages, there are also some disadvantages to bonding. They are listed below.

• It is stain-resistant, but it is more susceptible to staining compared to dental crowns and veneers.
• Although the composite material used for tooth bonding is strong enough, there might be some chipping or cracking of the restoration after a few years.
• The longevity of restoration is believed to stay in place for about 5 to 10 years. If you choose other treatments like veneers or crowns, they can survive for more than 15 years.

Teeth Bonding for Gaps

Diastema is the term used for the gap or space between your upper or lower middle teeth (central incisors). These gaps can be found anywhere, but mostly they are found between the two front teeth. Dental bonding is an easy and safe way to fill the gap between the teeth.

When advanced procedures such as orthodontic treatment are not necessary, one can opt for the tooth bonding procedure for the correction of space between teeth. This will give you a confident smile and a brighter appearance.

How much will it cost for tooth bonding?

The cost varies from clinic to clinic. The other factors which vary the cost are the number of teeth to be treated, how much repair is required, considering the aesthetic effects and so on. In India, the cost ranges from INR 500 to 2500 depending on all the factors.

Highlights:

• Tooth bonding helps in the correction of the minor defects in teeth and gives the best aesthetic results.
• It is a simple method to fix a cracked or chipped tooth, remove stains that are difficult to remove with tooth whitening procedures, close the gap between teeth, and change the shape and length of the tooth.
• For restoration to last longer, take care of your oral hygiene habits and avoid foods that chip the bonded tooth.
• Always ask your dentist if this is the correct and right procedure for you.