Dental Bonding: Pros and Cons

 

A smile often gives the first impression and it can be difficult to confidently smile with chipped or discolored teeth. iSmile by Dr. Sonia Olivares understands the importance of a perfect smile. We offer a selection of cosmetic procedures to enhance smiles and deliver confidence.

Dental Bonding is a simple, quick, and inexpensive cosmetic dental procedure in which a dentist bonds tooth-colored resin to the natural substance of teeth, enamel, and dentin. Dentists use dental bonding to:

• Change the shape of teeth
• Close spaces between teeth
• Improve the appearance of discolored teeth
• Make teeth appear longer
• Protect a portion of the tooth's root that has been exposed by receding gums
• Repair chipped or cracked teeth
• Repair decayed teeth (composite resins are used to fill cavities)
• Replace amalgam (such as silver) fillings with a cosmetic alternative

Types of Dental Bonding

• Adhesive Bonding: Uses an etchant, a type of acid or corrosive chemical, an adhesive, and a curing light to attach a restoration to damaged teeth. This procedure is best for fillings, porcelain veneers, and crowns that do not contain any metal.
• Direct Composite Bonding: The most common dental bonding procedure. Dentists create a composite resin that matches teeth color, molds it to fit teeth, apply it using a bonding agent then cured using a UV light. The bonded tooth can then be further shaped after it hardens.

Pros of Dental Bonding

• One of the least expensive and simplest dental procedures available.
• Can be done in one visit.
• Any shaping or molding is done at the time of bonding.
• Removes the least amount of protective enamel from teeth, compared to veneers or crowns.
• Fairly painless and does not require anesthesia, unless used to fill a cavity.

Cons of Dental Bonding

• While the composite resin used in dental bonding procedures is stain-resistant, it is not as stain-resistant as veneers or crowns.
• The bonding material does not have as long of a lifespan, compared to veneers or crowns.
• Because the bonding material is essentially plastic, it’s far easier to chip or break off the tooth.
• Used for minor cosmetic issues including small cosmetic changes or temporary corrections for cosmetic defects.

Risks of Dental Bonding

• Infection: Before the dental bonding material is placed, infection, tooth decay, and debris must be removed for the tooth sterilized. If an infection is present after the composite resin material is placed, it will continue to degrade the natural tooth structure, and will eventually result in the need for root canal therapy or tooth extraction.
• Allergic Reaction: It is possible for patients to experience an allergic reaction to the conditioning liquid, composite resin, or tools used during the dental bonding procedure.
• Wearing down of the bonding material: Composite resin used in the dental bonding procedure will wear down over time, as is the case with natural tooth enamel. In more serious cases, the bonding material can chip or crack.
• Discoloration of the bonding material: The composite resin material is not completely resistant to staining and will not respond to teeth whitening treatment.

Aftercare Instructions

Dental bonding patients should follow aftercare instructions to ensure the longevity of composite resin bonding material.

• Brush: Brush teeth twice a day, in the morning and at night, using toothpaste that contains fluoride.
• Floss: Floss once a day. Be sure to bring floss all the way up to the gum line to thoroughly remove plaque before moving on to the next tooth.
• Drink water after meals: Drinking water after meals flushes out food particles and reduces acidity levels in the mouth.
• Avoid foods and drinks that stain the teeth: Avoid tea, dark-colored sauces, red and white wine, berries, sports drinks, sodas, juices, and candies with bright artificial coloring stain the teeth.
• Avoid products that stain the teeth: The use of tobacco products, such as cigarettes or chewing tobacco, causes yellow and brown stains to appear on the teeth and bonding material.

Schedule a Dental Bonding Consultation in Coral Gables and Doral, FL Today!

iSmile by Dr. Sonia Olivares, Coral Gables, and Doral, Florida’s leader in cosmetic dentistry, provides teeth bonding treatments.

Dr. Sonia Olivares has dedicated her life to helping patients obtain oral health, beautiful smiles, and the confidence that goes with them. She spends time with each and every patient to ensure they receive proper care, from evaluation to procedure. Her goal is to completely resolve dental issues while providing courteous, knowledgeable, and professional service.

Looking for a fast, minimally invasive, and inexpensive option for a beautiful smile? Teeth bonding may be right for you. To discover more, contact an iSmile dental office or book an appointment online today.