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Even minor chips and cracks in your teeth can make you feel self-conscious. With four offices in Bonney Lake, Sumner, Puyallup, and Tacoma, Washington, Rainier Dental offers convenient and affordable solutions to repair tooth damage. Dental bonding can quickly restore your teeth's appearance, function, and strength without downtime. Call today or schedule an appointment online to achieve beautiful, natural-looking results from an expert dental team.
Dental Bonding Q&A
What is dental bonding?
Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure that involves applying a tooth-colored resin material to repair, reshape, or enhance the appearance of a damaged tooth. This relatively quick, noninvasive, and affordable treatment can help address many cosmetic and restorative concerns, including:
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Small gaps between teeth
- Tooth decay (cavities)
- Minor tooth discoloration
- Misshapen teeth
- Uneven teeth
Unlike permanent solutions for aesthetically damaged teeth, like veneers, dental bonding is temporary and reversible.
How does dental bonding work?
During dental bonding, your dentist color matches composite resin to the shape of your damaged or decayed tooth. They apply the resin in thin layers, hardening each layer with a special curing light before adding the next one. This process allows your dentist to naturally shape and mold the bonding material to ensure it blends seamlessly with your teeth.
What can I expect from dental bonding?
The bonding process only takes 30-60 minutes and requires no anesthesia. The treatment is not painful, and you can resume your normal activities immediately after the composite resin dries. After applying and curing the final layer, your dentist polishes the affected tooth to restore your smile’s radiance.
You may experience mild tooth sensitivity after the treatment, but these effects should subside within a few hours.
How long does dental bonding last?
Most bonding materials last for about 7-10 years with proper care, but the duration can vary based on your oral health and hygiene habits. For example, bruxism (teeth grinding) can erode the bonding material quicker than expected.
Make sure to talk to your dentist about any oral habits or concerns you have to preserve your teeth after bonding. The team may recommend protective treatments, like a nightguard, to help prevent damage to the bonding materials.
What are the benefits of dental bonding?
Dental bonding offers many popular benefits compared to more invasive procedures, like porcelain veneers. Benefits of dental bonding include:
- Cost-effective
- Noninvasive
- No downtime
- Little to no enamel removal
- Natural-looking results
- Quick procedure
- Single-visit treatment
- Long-lasting improvements
Because dental bonding is temporary, you can choose to opt for veneers and other cosmetic restorations later.
Call Rainier Dental today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about dental bonding.