Minor damage or changes to a tooth can quickly change your smile, your ability to speak clearly, and make a tooth sensitive to certain foods and beverages. Fortunately, composite resin bonding provides a solution for many common cosmetic dental needs. Although dental crowns and porcelain veneers offer more permanent restorations for some teeth, you may want to consider composite resin bonding if Trident General Dentistry makes this recommendation one of your options.
Learn more about composite resin bonding and schedule an appointment with Trident General Dentistry today!
What Is Dental Bonding?
Composite resin dental bonding is a popular cosmetic dental procedure that uses a tooth-colored composite resin. This dental restorative material is soft, which allows shaping to match your natural tooth. Once achieving the desired shape, a special dental light cures or hardens the composite resin.
When Is Composite Resin Bonding Used?
Composite resin bonding is a highly versatile dental material with many uses, including its use to repair:
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Chipped or cracked teeth. The first thought after cracking or chipping a tooth is your appearance. Composite resin bonding provides an ideal solution because it can be quickly color-matched and shaped to restore your damaged tooth’s appearance.
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Gaps between teeth. You can have small spaces between your teeth closed with composite resin bonding instead of braces. This material can offer a more affordable solution that results in a very natural appearance.
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Tooth decay. Composite resin offers the advantage of many tooth-colored choices instead of silver. Additionally, direct placement on the tooth without fabrication by a dental laboratory makes the process more time efficient.
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Tooth stains. Teeth whitening cannot remove some more permanent stains and discolorations. In these cases, the composite dental resin can cover these discolored teeth for a whiter and brighter smile.
What Is the Composite Bonding Procedure?
Depending on the damage to your tooth, some procedures require no dental anesthetic. The dental bonding procedure usually involves these steps:
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Selection of the best shade of composite resin that matches your natural teeth.
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Preparation of the tooth’s surface by the placement of a phosphoric acid conditioner. This painless procedure microscopically etches the tooth to enhance the bonding of the composite resin to your tooth.
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Placement and sculpting of the soft resin material on your tooth.
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Curing or hardening of the composite by a special UV dental light.
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Polishing of the composite resin for a smooth and natural appearance.
How Do I Take Care of Composite Resin Bonded Teeth?
Although composite resin is an exceptionally durable dental material, you can take steps to prolong its life and natural appearance. These steps include:
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Avoid chewing hard foods.
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Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
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Floss daily using the proper flossing technique.
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Have regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleaning.
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Avoid excess use of foods and drinks that stain teeth.
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Refrain from habits such as ice-chewing and nail-biting.
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Wear a custom-made nightguard if you grind your teeth while sleeping.
How Long Does Composite Bonding Last?
Dental bonding, on average, lasts five to ten years but can last much longer with proper care. Several factors determine the lifespan of a composite dental restoration, such as:
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The type of composite resin used.
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The location of the composite filling in your mouth.
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How much tooth structure the bonding replaces.
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Habits such as grinding and clenching.
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The type of foods and beverages consumed.
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Oral hygiene habits.
Schedule an Appointment
Call us today to schedule an appointment with Trident General Dentistry to learn more about how composite resin bonding can help restore your smile affordably and easily in one dental appointment.