A variety of general dentistry techniques are available to repair damage to teeth and improve their appearance. Dental bonding is a popular technique because it is both inexpensive and relatively easy for both dentist and patient.
What are the uses for dental bonding in general dentistry?
Dental bonding involves applying a resin that mimics the appearance of the teeth in color and hardness. It has both therapeutic and cosmetic uses, with advantages and disadvantages.
Therapeutic uses for dental bonding
Dental bonding can be used to repair minor cracks or chips in the surface of the teeth. It bonds to the tooth to correct the defect without the need for drilling.
Traditional metal fillings can cause the teeth to appear discolored. Composite resins used in bonding can be used in fillings to repair the cavity while maintaining the tooth's original color. If bonding is used for a filling, it is necessary to drill the tooth. This is one of the few situations in which drilling is necessary for bonding.
Periodontal disease can cause the gums to recede, exposing portions of the roots of a tooth. Bonding can be used to protect the exposed portion of the root.
Cosmetic uses for dental bonding
Bonding is a versatile technique that can be used cosmetically to improve the appearance of the mouth in several ways:
- Changing tooth shape
- Making teeth look longer
- Closing spaces between teeth
- Changing the color of one or more teeth
Advantages and disadvantages of bonding
Bonding materials are not very strong compared to other restoration methods used in general dentistry. It may be necessary to repeat bonding due to chipping or staining. On the other hand, bonding can be much more convenient since it can typically be performed in one session and requires removal of very little tooth enamel.
How is the bonding procedure performed?
Bonding takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete. Apart from matching the color of the teeth using a shade guide, it requires minimal preparation.
The bonding material has to stick to the teeth. The dentist helps this process by applying a conditioning liquid and roughening the tooth's surface. The resin used for bonding is a putty-like material. After applying the resin to the tooth, the dentist shapes it by smoothing and molding it. Once the resin is in the desired shape, the dentist uses a laser or blue light to harden it.
So that the bonded portion matches the sheen of the rest of the tooth, the dentist polishes it after further trimming to achieve exactly the right shape. When bonding is complete, the tooth should be identical in appearance to all the others. An observer should not be able to tell that there has been any work done at all.
Conclusion
In the field of general dentistry, bonding can be used for either therapeutic or cosmetic purposes. While it has its disadvantages, it is affordable, can be performed in about an hour, and does not require many changes to the underlying tooth.
Request an appointment here: https://testcummingsfamilydentist.dgdevnext.com or call Cumming's Family Dentist at (770) 205-9226 for an appointment in our Cumming office.
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