Fillings & Bonding

How long bonding materials last depends on several factors, such as your oral habits and how many teeth were treated. Typically, however, bonding material lasts between three and 7 years before needing to be touched up or replaced.

Teeth bonding requires zero downtime. You’ll be able to resume all normal activities as soon as you leave your dentist’s office.

After dental bonding, proper oral hygiene is essential to keep your mouth healthy and bright. Brush at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and floss between your teeth once daily. In addition, you should visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.

Dental bonding usually isn’t painful because your dentist won’t be working anywhere close to the pain-sensing nerve inside your tooth. In most cases, anesthesia isn’t even necessary during dental bonding. Some people may experience temporary sensitivity after their dental bonding procedure. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease this discomfort.

During your dental bonding procedure, your dentist will: Select a shade. Your dentist uses a shade guide to select a composite resin material that matches the color of your natural teeth. Prepare your tooth. The surface of your tooth is roughened and a conditioning liquid is applied. These steps help the bonding material stick to your tooth. Apply the composite resin material. The resin material (which is a putty-like consistency) is applied, molded, and smoothed to the desired shape. Cure the material. Next, the composite resin is hardened with a special curing light, which "bonds" the material to the surface of your tooth. Polish your tooth. Finally, your dentist will make any necessary final adjustments and polish your tooth to a natural-looking shine. The procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete.

Prior to dental bonding, your dentist will sit down with you and discuss your cosmetic goals. They’ll also take dental X-rays and examine your teeth and gums to make sure you’re eligible for the procedure. If you have severe tooth decay, gum disease, or other serious oral health problems, you’ll probably need to treat those issues first.

Porcelain veneers are custom-made ceramic shells that adhere to the front surfaces of your teeth. To place them, your dentist typically must remove some enamel from your natural teeth. Once placed, porcelain veneers are not reversible. They may need replacing every 10 to 20 years. Dental bonding, on the other hand, may not require significant enamel removal. As a result, bonding is completely reversible. You’ll likely need touch-ups every 3 to 7 years. You might hear dentists use the term “composite veneers." This is when your dentist uses composite resin material to cover the entire surface of your tooth.

Cosmetic dental bonding is very common. In fact, it’s one of the most frequently performed procedures in dentistry today.

Dental bonding is used to make cosmetic improvements to your smile. The procedure uses tooth-colored composite resin material to: - Conceal chips or cracks in your teeth. - Camouflage tooth discoloration. - Close gaps and spaces between your teeth. - Make your teeth look longer. - Change the shape of your teeth.

Dental bonding, sometimes called composite bonding or teeth bonding, is a cosmetic dentistry treatment used to enhance your smile. During the procedure, your dentist applies tooth-colored resin material to the affected teeth to change their shape, size, or color.

No. Because dental bonding doesn’t require enamel removal, it can be reversed at any time. Your dentist can complete dental bonding in just one office visit.

In general, dental bonding doesn’t pose any risks to your oral health. If you have healthy teeth and gums, then it’s perfectly safe. However, if you have extensive tooth decay, gum disease, or other serious issues affecting your oral health, you may need to have other treatments before pursuing dental bonding.