Everything You Need to Know About Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a non-invasive cosmetic dental procedure that may help to improve the appearance of your smile. Here, our Slave Lake dentists provide some facts about how dental bonding may be used to repair gapped and discoloured teeth.

What is dental bonding?

Dental bonding is a safe, effective and non-invasive cosmetic dental procedure. Your dentist applies a tooth-coloured composite resin to your teeth and then shapes and polishes them to match the teeth that surround them so that the resin blends into a natural;-looking smile.

This process is called "dental bonding" because the composite resin used in the procedure literally bonds to the teeth.

Why would I need dental bonding?

Dental bonding is most often used for cosmetic purposes – to improve the appearance of a chipped or discoloured teeth, to make teeth appear longer or change their shape or colour, or to close gaps between teeth.

bonding may also be used as a treatment alternative to silver (amalgam) fillings or to cover the roots of teeth that are exposed due to receding gums.

What happens during a dental bonding procedure?

When your dentist performs a dental bonding treatment, the dentist applies composite resin to your tooth in layers. A light is used to harden each layer.

After hardening the last layer of resin, your dentist will shape and polish the dental bonding to fit your tooth, resulting in a smooth and natural-looking tooth that compliments the rest of your smile.

How long does dental bonding take?

Dental bonding will often take about half an hour to one hour per tooth to complete. Unlike treatment with veneers, which are made in a dental lab and customized to your smile. the condign process can be done in as few as one visits.

How much does dental bonding cost?

Often, patients we see for dental bonding procedures are concerned about cost. Fortunately, dental bonding is an effective, relatively long-lasting cosmetic procedure. Your specific cost will depend on a number of factors, including:

Scope of work, where in the mouth your procedure is taking place and the size of the area to be bonded
Your local area - costs may vary depending on which city your dentist is in, and which dental practice completes the procedure
Insurance coverage - how much of the procedure will your insurance cover? (May depend on whether your issue is primarily cosmetic or structural)

How long does dental bonding last?

The composite resin your dentist will use during the bonding process will likely have a lifespan of between 4 and 8 years, and potentially up to 10 years.

How long the effects of dental bonding last can vary depending on your specific case (where in your mouth it’s applied) and how it’s maintained (excellent oral hygiene and attending your regularly scheduled dental visits is key).

In order to help this restoration last for as long as possible, our dentists advise that you avoid sugary or acidic foods since these can wear on your teeth. While fruit can be good for your health, make sure you brush and floss your teeth soon after eating them so that bacteria and plaque don't have a chance to build up on the surface of your dental bonding and start to break it down. If possible, avoid grinding your teeth, chewing hard candy and ice or biting down on things too hard very frequently. These can all chip the bonding material.

Your dentist can touch up the composite resin and re-bond it over time, if required.