Cosmetic Bonding
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Magnolia Family Dental
General Dentistry located in Gainesville, FL
Dental bonding is one of the quickest, easiest, and most affordable ways to improve the appearance of cracked, chipped, and misshapen teeth. Magnolia Family Dental offer this popular cosmetic procedure to patients throughout Gainesville, Alachua, Starke, Lake Butler, High Springs, Ocala, and the surrounding Florida communities. If you’d like to improve your smile but are concerned about the cost or convenience of cosmetic dentistry, bonds may be right for you. To learn more, schedule an appointment online or call the Gainesville, Florida, office today.
Cosmetic Bonding Q & A
What is dental bonding?
Bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure where your dentist improves your smile by applying a tooth-colored plastic material, known as composite resin, to your teeth. Composite resin is also a material that your dentist uses to fill cavities.
Bonding can also improve gaps between teeth. Your dentist may recommend bonding for teeth that are:
- Chipped or cracked
- Discolored
- Short or misshapen
Compared with other cosmetic and restorative procedures, such as veneers and crowns, bonding is quick and inexpensive. It’s also minimally invasive. However, bonding isn’t as durable or resistant to stains as those more involved procedures.
Your dentist goes over your options for cosmetic and restorative procedures. Bonding is a popular choice for small cosmetic changes and treating teeth that receive little bite pressure, such as your front teeth.
What is the procedure for bonding?
Dental bonding is a fairly quick, simple procedure. It usually takes 30 minutes to an hour to bond a tooth. You may schedule multiple appointments if you need bonding for more than one tooth.
Bonding usually doesn’t require anesthesia, though you might receive a local numbing agent if the tooth is decayed or if it’s chipped or cracked near a nerve.
Before the procedure, your dentist selects a composite resin color that matches the shade of your teeth. They then prepare the tooth by roughening the surface and applying a conditioning liquid that helps the bonding material stick.
After preparing your tooth, your dentist applies the bonding material, forms it into the proper shape, and hardens it with a laser. Once the bonding material hardens, your dentist trims and shapes it, then polishes it until the material matches your natural tooth surface.
How long does bonding last?
Bonding typically lasts anywhere from 3-10 years before your dentist touches up or replaces the bonding material. At this point, you may also choose to have more involved, longer-lasting cosmetic work.
The longevity depends on the location of the tooth in your mouth and the part of the tooth where your dentist does the bonding.
Chewy, hard, or crunchy foods can weaken bonding. That means your bonding is likely to last longer if it’s not on the edge of your teeth. Bonding may also last longer if it’s on your front teeth, which play less of a role in chewing.
To prevent staining, minimize your intake of coffee, tea, and acidic foods, and don’t smoke. It also helps to follow good dental hygiene habits, including brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day.
To learn more about dental bonding and other cosmetic procedures, call Magnolia Family Dental or use the online booking tool.
