What Is Teeth Bonding?

Teeth (dental) bonding is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that can restore the appearance of chipped, cracked, or stained front teeth. If you’re self-conscious about your smile, teeth bonding might just be the answer you’ve been waiting for.

Our Grand Rapids, MI cosmetic dentists will be able to work with you to decide whether dental bonding is the right choice for your oral health. Read on to learn what teeth bonding is and how it can help your smile.

Who Can Have Dental Bonding?

Our dentists may recommend teeth bonding to:

  • Repair slightly chipped or cracked teeth
  • Repair front teeth with small cavities
  • Close small gaps between front teeth
  • Improve appearance of discolored teeth
  • Improve your teeth’s shape
  • Help teeth last longer

How Do Teeth Bonds Work?

During your appointment, one of our teeth bonding dentists will apply a putty-like resin on the surface of your tooth where it’s needed. This tooth-colored resin is then hardened with an ultraviolet light or laser, helping your teeth to look and function better than ever.

Unlike other types of cosmetic dentistry, dental bonding rarely requires the use of anesthesia. In addition to being faster, dental bonding also removes far less enamel, keeping your natural teeth in better condition.

How Does Dental Bonding Compare to Other Procedures?

Since teeth bonding requires less time and material, it typically costs much less than alternatives like dental crowns and porcelain veneers. However, the tradeoff is that teeth bonding doesn’t last as long as other smile makeover options. One of our cosmetic dentists will be more than happy to discuss your options when you schedule a consultation.

One of the benefits of teeth bonding is that it’s less invasive and therefore more affordable than alternative options. Instead of using a tooth restoration, we’re able to directly apply and mold composite resin to the surface of your teeth. Cosmetic dentistry is as much an art as it is a science, which is why we recommend scheduling your appointment with our experienced dentists.

How Do I Care for My Bonded Teeth?

Take care of your bonded teeth like you do the rest of your smile. Our cosmetic dentists will recommend you maintain a healthy oral hygiene routine at home by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once daily. If we still find excessive plaque buildup during your next teeth cleaning appointment, you may want to consider adding a fluoride mouthrinse to your routine.

How Long Do Dental Bonds Last?

While dental bonding is not as sturdy as porcelain veneers, your bonded teeth will still last a long time. With proper care, you can expect your dental bonds to last 5-10 years. After that, they are easy to repair or replace.

Can I Whiten Dental Bonds?

Since composite resin doesn’t respond to teeth whitening like natural enamel, we recommend you get your teeth professionally whitened before dental bonding. That way, our dentists will be able to match the color of composite resin to your newly whitened smile.

While bonded teeth don’t respond as well to teeth whitening, they can still get stained over time. We recommend limiting foods and drinks that stain your teeth, such as tea and coffee. Smoking can also stain your bonded teeth over time.

Make an Appointment Today!

At Bander Dental Group, our Grand Rapids, MI teeth bonding dentists want to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. To find out if you’re a candidate for cosmetic teeth bonding, give our office a call at (616) 949-5980.

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This blog post has been updated.