An Easy Cosmetic Procedure to Improve Your Smile
Dental bonding is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that involves the application of composite dental resin to teeth. It is one of the more common dental services we perform at our dental office.
It is a quick, easy and affordable way to improve your dental appearance. It is one of the less expensive and less invasive cosmetic dentistry procedures and can oftentimes be used in place of an orthodontic procedure (like braces) or a cosmetic procedure (like veneers). This is especially true for minor dental irregularities.
What Does Dental Bonding Treat?
Dental bonding can reduce or hide many dental imperfections:
Gaps Between Teeth
Depending on how big the gaps are between teeth, it is oftentimes possible to use dental bonding to reduce or even eliminate these spaces between teeth. The result is the patient leaves after the treatment with a more symmetrical, appealing smile.
Teeth Coloration
Due to time, food habits, or tooth damage, some of your teeth may become discolored. Dental bonding can be used to improve the color of teeth, making them look whiter and brighter. The result is that your damaged tooth will have the same look and feel like the natural tooth right next to it.
Broken or Chipped Tooth
If you have a broken tooth that is superficially damaged with a small crack or small chip, cosmetic bonding can be used to effectively cover up that chip or crack. The bonding will match the color of the surrounding teeth. The result is that no one will even know that your tooth is damaged.
Crooked Teeth
Depending on the severity of the problem, dental bonding can often be used to improve the appearance of one or multiple crooked teeth.
Adjusting Perceived Tooth Length
You may have a tooth (or a couple of teeth) that are slightly shorter than surrounding teeth. The bonding dental procedure can be used to effectively lengthen the existing tooth in order to even out your smile.
Cavity Treatment and Prevention
Note that the material used for dental bonding isn’t only used for cosmetic dentistry procedures. The same composite resin used for dental bonding is also used for filling cavities.
The Dental Bonding Process
Dental bonding is performed by our Fort Collins Dentist, Dr. Murphy. As part of the process, you’ll undergo a dental cleaning and your teeth will be prepped for the dental bonding material. The dental bonding material is then applied to your teeth and molded into the desired shape. A curing light is then used to harden the dental bonding material, and the composite resin is polished to a glossy finish.
The dental bonding process usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour, and in most cases can be performed in a single visit.
Dental Bonding Overview Video
This video from the American Dental Association provides a wonderful (and quick) overview of the dental bonding process.
Dental Bonding Video (courtesy of the ADA)
Post-Procedure Care
Another advantage of dental bonding versus many other types of cosmetic dentistry options is that there are usually no special post-procedure care requirements. Your bonded teeth should behave and act just like the surrounding teeth.
Dental Bonding Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the questions that our patients ask us about dental bonding.
How Much Does Dental Bonding Cost?
Dental bonding is one of the least expensive cosmetic dentistry options available. Cosmetic dentistry options frequently are not covered by insurance (see below). That said, our Fort Collins dentistry is flexible and we will work closely with you to work on payment options. We have in-house dental plans, and also accept care credit financing.
Will My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Bonding?
This will vary by the insurance company, but if the bonding was performed purely for cosmetic purposes (as opposed to using composite resin to fill a cavity), most insurance companies will not cover the procedure. You may end up paying for your dental bonding out of pocket.
Call our Fort Collins Dental Office for details. We're experts at working with dental insurance. Let us know the specifics about your dental insurance plan, and we'll let you know how much (if any) your insurance company will cover for your dental bonding treatment.
How Long Does Dental Bonding Last?
Dental bonding can last a long time - as many as 10 years. Ultimately, how long your dental bonding lasts is dependent partly on you and your oral health habits. If you don't practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly, it can shorten the life of your dental bonding.
Is it Better to Get Veneers or Bonding?
Both can improve your overall appearance by giving you a more attractive smile, but there are significant differences. Dental bonding is best for people with minor tooth damage, misshapen teeth, or mild-to-moderate cosmetic concerns - like a slightly discolored tooth. Porcelain veneers are meant to conceal more dramatic flaws. Dental bonding is more affordable and less invasive option for minor cosmetic changes. Placing a porcelain veneer will require the removal of some tooth enamel and the process can not easily be reversed.
