What Is Cosmetic Bonding?
Cosmetic bonding is a dental procedure that uses a white, tooth-colored composite resin that can be shaded to match your teeth. This material is applied to your teeth and sculpted to cover or replace the problem area. The material bonds to the surface of your teeth like a glue. It is often "cured" or hardened with an intense ultraviolet light.
Am I a Candidate for Cosmetic Bonding?
- Unsightly gaps between front teeth
- Slightly chipped teeth
- Rough or jagged edges on front teeth
- Dull colored or stained teeth
Dental Bonding Procedure
The cosmetic bonding procedure is a three-step process.
Step 1
In order to prepare the teeth for the bonding material, an etching solution is applied. This roughens the surface of the teeth in order to help strengthen the bond between the plastic and the teeth.
Step 2
Next, a layer of bonding resin is put onto the surface of the teeth and is hardened using Advanced special light. More than one layer may be added as each layer hardens in only a few minutes.
Step 3
The bonding resin is then molded to the desired shape and will be colored in order to match the natural teeth. Lastly, the material is polished until smooth.
This process takes between 1 to 2 hours and the results can last up to 10 years without needing restoration.
What Is the Recovery and Aftercare for Cosmetic Bonding?
In many cases, patients can go about their normal routine after cosmetic tooth bonding. That means you can eat and drink normally, drive and go to work.
However, some patients experience some tooth sensitivity. In that case, avoid eating hot, cold or hard foods. Always consult your doctor, but over-the-counter pain medications may alleviate those symptoms.
The bonding agent actually dries and cures before you leave your appointment, so there's little risk of you damaging it or causing yourself pain immediately after. Just leave and smile big!
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Dr. Doyel is the best dentist! He is gentle, caring, kind, compassionate, funny, honest, highly intelligent and skilled at his craft. He has treated me and my family and we all love him. He uses only the highest quality and long lasting, non-toxic dental materials, and he really teaches us how to prevent needing dental work in the future. Everyone in his office is happy to be there and it shows. The staff is warm, friendly and helpful. The office is beautiful and comfortable. No one seems to love their dentist, but our whole family loves ours’!
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How Long Will Cosmetic Bonding Last?
Tooth bonding materials can last up to 10 years and normally no less than three. This depends on how much teeth bonding you've undergone and your overall dental hygiene routine.
Like any other dental procedure, consult the dentist about personal factors that may shorten the lifespan of your tooth bonding like smoking, eating sugary foods or other medical conditions. With routine dental hygiene appointments, we repair damaged cosmetic bonding and extend its lifespan even longer.
How Do I Maintain Cosmetic Tooth Bonding?
To make your cosmetic bonding procedure last, practice regular, routine oral hygiene habits:
- Brush twice per day.
- Floss at least once per day.
- Schedule regular dental cleanings every six months.
- Wear a mouth-guard during high-risk physical activity.
Because bonding materials can chip just like any other dental hardware, avoid biting fingernails and using teeth to open packages. Seek help if you grind your teeth regularly.
How Long Will the Cosmetic Bonding Process Take?
You may need as little as one or two appointments for cosmetic bonding. The materials are readily-available and our dentists can often do a consultation and the process itself in the same visit. In that case, you could be done in as little as 30 or 60 minutes.
However, if you need cosmetic bonding on multiple teeth, it may take longer and more appointments. This isn't only to make sure the procedure is done correctly — the material needs time to dry and set properly. To speed up that process, a dentist may use gentle UV light on each area.
Will Cosmetic Bonding Ruin My Teeth?
The cosmetic dentistry industry has grown astronomically in recent years. Fortunately, cosmetic teeth bonding is one of the safest, most hassle-free procedures patients can receive in this booming field.
Because the composite used in tooth bonding is softer than tooth enamel, it won't damage surrounding teeth or dental implants. At most, it may chip or disconnect from your teeth. In that case, it's unlikely that loose bonding material will scratch, dye or otherwise disfigure other teeth.
Dental bonding is generally a very low risk option that does not ruin your teeth, but instead improves the overall appearance of your smile.
Cosmetic Bonding Advantages
When skillfully applied and sculpted, this material allows you to have a natural, beautiful improvement in your smile
Cosmetic Bonding Disadvantages
Bonding is initially less expensive than ceramic veneers. However, it tends to break down and discolor in several years and will need to be replaced. For this reason, ceramic restorations are usually more cost-effective over time.
Alternatives to Cosmetic Bonding
Ceramic laminates or crowns are an excellent, longer lasting alternative.
Schedule a Consultation
To learn more about Cosmetic Bonding or to see if you are a good candidate, call 503.925.9595 to schedule a consultation at our office in Sherwood, OR. We proudly serve patients in Sherwood, Newberg, Tigard, Wilsonville, Dundee and the surrounding areas in Oregon.
