Dental teeth bonding in the Bronx, NY uses composite fillings, also known as white fillings, for reshaping teeth. There are many reasons for needing teeth reshaping or contouring, including to repair broken and crooked teeth. How long do composite fillings last? These fillings used in teeth bonding last around 10 years, making them the cost and composite fillings cost affordable in the long term.
What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding refers to the procedure that bonds a composite resin to your teeth for aesthetic or bite purposes. The composite material is made from durable plastic resin in tooth-colored shades. The resin’s shade is matched to your surrounding teeth to provide a natural look that restores or improves your smile.
For tooth bonding in the Bronx, NY the resin is applied directly to your tooth and sculpted to its surface. Through the curing process, the material chemically bonds to your tooth. It can also act as a substitute for fillings in a cavity.
Uses for White Fillings
Our top-rated dentist (open on Sunday by appointment) uses white filling to restore your natural, confident smile. But there are other uses for white or natural-colored resin, such as:
- Closing gaps between your teeth to even your bite or enhance your appearance
- Repairing decayed teeth by filling the cavity
- Repairing chipped or cracked teeth
- Improving the appearance of discolored teeth
- Teeth contouring to make them look longer
- Reshaping teeth to even the symmetry
- Protecting the tooth root that’s exposed when gums recede
- Using it as an adhesive for applying veneers
Teeth Bonding Procedure
Regardless of the purpose, the process for dental bonding is straightforward. It takes between 30 and 60 minutes per tooth, but full restoration is immediate, causes little pain, and requires no recovery time.
During the procedure, your dentist:
- Cleans and examines your teeth to check your dental health
- Discusses your cosmetic desires
- Consults a shade guide to match the closest teeth
- Provides a local anesthetic if you need or want one
- Roughens your tooth slightly with an etching liquid for improved bonding
- Coats the tooth with an adhesive liquid
- Applies the resin to the tooth layer by layer, building it up to the right size
- Molds and smoothes the resin into the proper shape
- Hardens the resin with an ultraviolet light
- Trims, shapes, and polishes the tooth for final presentation
Advantages and Disadvantages of Teeth Bonding
Composite filling is the most common and least expensive form of cosmetic dentistry. Because of its prevalent use, your dental bonding cost is relatively low and ranges from $100 to $400 per tooth. Since it is applied directly to the tooth, you often require no anesthesia. Your dentist (open on Sundays) removes as little tooth enamel as possible. The process usually only requires one visit for the full treatment unless multiple teeth are involved.
As with any dental procedure, there are some disadvantages. Composite fillings are not as strong as your natural teeth, so biting on hard or foreign objects can chip the resin material.
How long do composite fillings last?
You can expect to keep them intact for three to 10 years, depending on where they’re located in your mouth and the care you provide. Also, composite fillings aren’t as stain-resistant as other fillings.
Amalgam Fillings vs. Composite Fillings
When you compare amalgam fillings vs. composite fillings, you trade a slightly harder material in the silver amalgam for very natural-looking color. Composite resin is often used for teeth reshaping on front teeth. But there’s more to amalgam fillings vs. composite. For example, amalgam fillings:
- Are the silver and mercury fillings almost everyone knows
- Have a long track record of success — over 150 years
- Combine silver and mercury into one of the strongest materials for fillings
- Are recommended for back teeth, where there is increased bite pressure
- Last the longest, often between 10 and 15 years
- Are the least expensive option
- Have a color that makes them noticeable, so they aren’t a good choice for front teeth
- Require a larger, well-shaped hole in your tooth to hold properly
On the other hand, composite fillings used in teeth bonding:
- Use a silica-based resin and tooth-colored plastics
- Bond chemically to the tooth so less of your natural tooth needs to be removed
- Match the shade of your other teeth, making them virtually undetectable
- Aren’t as strong or last as long as amalgam fillings
- Cost slightly more than amalgam fillings
- Are a good choice for anyone with a mercury allergy
The dental bonding material’s versatility contributes to its widespread use. It’s well suited for altering or enhancing your teeth, improving function, and adding confidence to your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I take care of my bonded teeth?
Bonded teeth don’t require special care. You just need to follow basic oral hygiene rules. Brush bounded teeth twice a day, floss, and rinse with mouthwash. Avoid starchy foods and sweets since they cause an increase in the production of oral bacteria found in plaque. Keep in mind that alcoholic beverages cause bonding to deteriorate at a faster rate than normal. You also need to eliminate staining foods from your diet, as bonded teeth are more prone to staining.
Does bonding ruin my teeth?
Teeth bonding is the simplest procedure in cosmetic dentistry. This procedure doesn’t pose any major risks. At the beginning of the teeth bonding, the dentist will slightly roughen the surface of the tooth to allow the bonding agent to stick better. This procedure doesn’t require major tooth reshaping as veneers do. Thus, the cosmetic bonding procedure will not ruin your natural teeth.
Does dental bonding look natural?
This procedure is a minimally invasive restorative option that gives a highly natural-looking result. In the beginning, your dentist will use a shade guide to choose a composite resin that will closely match the color of your natural teeth. Then, your dentist will apply the composite resin and mold it to the shape of the tooth. After the dental bonding, your tooth will look natural.
How many appointments are required for dental bonding?
Dental bonding is a simple procedure that can be typically done in one appointment. The procedure usually doesn’t require anesthesia and is painless. Major corrections may require two visits to the dentist’s office since a dental laboratory needs to create custom tooth-colored fillings. Once the fillings are created, your dentist will bond them to the tooth during the second visit.
Do you have any questions about the dental bonding (cosmetic teeth bonding) procedure? For more information or to schedule an appointment with the best rated dentist, please contact our dental practice, 505 Dental Associates for a consultation.