Cosmetic Dental Bonding 101: Learn the Basics

Cosmetic dental bonding allows a dentist in Connecticut to restore your brilliant smile. Bonding is a cosmetic procedure used to make small corrections in a tooth’s appearance. The procedure uses tooth-colored resin to fill in or cover small defects in tooth enamel. After the resin is applied, a special light is used to bond or attach the material to the natural tooth. Bonding material lasts from three to 10 years under normal conditions.

What Can Cosmetic Dental Bonding Do for Me?

Dental bonding can accomplish many things including the following:

• Repair decayed teeth
• Lengthen short teeth
• Alter tooth shape
• Restore chipped or cracked teeth
• Improve the look of discolored teeth
• Close gaps between teeth
• Protect exposed tooth roots when gums recede
• Replace cosmetic amalgam fillings

Advantages and Disadvantages of Bonding Teeth

Advantages

• Less tooth enamel is removed than with other procedures
• Bonding is easy and inexpensive compared to other restorative procedures
• The procedure can usually be accomplished in one visit
• Bonding teeth does not require anesthesia

Disadvantages

• Bonding materials may chip or break
• Repaired areas are less stain resistant than crowns
• Bonding materials are less durable and will not last as long as materials used to make veneers, fillings, and crowns

How to Care for Bonded Teeth

To care for bonded teeth, practice good oral hygiene by brushing twice daily, flossing every night, and rinsing with antiseptic mouthwash every day. Avoid chewing on your fingernails, ice, pens, and other objects. Never use your teeth to open bottles. See your dentist in Connecticut for regular checkups and professional cleanings.

To learn about our family dentistry practice in Connecticut, contact Premier Dental of Connecticut today or make an appointment.