What You Need to Know about Dental Bonding
What is dental bonding? Dental bonding (also known as ) is a form of cosmetic dentistry where a tooth-colored resin adheres to the tooth. This is done for a lot of different reasons that we’ll get into in the next section.
This is a popular option because it not only addresses your problem but also provides the best aesthetic results. This way, regardless of the procedure, you can smile confidently and no one can see you had dental work done.
What procedures include dental bonding?
One of the most common uses is as an alternative to amalgam (metal) fillings. Metal fillings work, but they’re easy to spot when you smile, and this can make some people hesitant to smile, which never feels good, but this isn’t a problem with dental bonding.
Repairing chipped or cracked teeth is another function of dental bonding. In a similar way that resin fills the cavity, it also fills the chip or cracks to make your teeth look like nothing ever happened. However, if you want another option, porcelain veneers are a great alternative.
What’s the difference between dental bonding and porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers (also known as dental veneers) are a corrective covering attached to your front-facing teeth to cover up chips, cracks, slight gaps, and make smaller teeth look longer.
The main difference between the two is the resin in dental becomes a part of your tooth whereas porcelain veneers are attached to the front of your tooth. With proper care, veneers last 10 to 15 years whereas dental bonding lasts 3 to 10 (also depends on how much was used).
Porcelain veneers are applied using a special dental cement so they don’t come off easily, but if they are not properly taken care of they can come off. However, the veneers are better equipped to resist decay and staining than dental resin and natural teeth.
What are some other uses for dental bonding?
Other uses include:
- Repairing decayed teeth
- Changing the shape of teeth (generally to improve smile symmetry)
- Protect a portion of the tooth’s root that has been exposed when gums recede
- Close spaces between teeth
Other alternatives
Dental crowns, bridges, and implants, are all alternatives. The best option for you is highly dependent on the level of severity. It’s important to note that while these procedures may achieve similar results, each individual is different and has unique needs so there’s no one blanket answer for what’s best for everyone.
Unlike dental bonding and veneers, a dental crown covers the entire tooth above the gum line. A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth held in by crowns on either side. A dental implant is a crown attached to an artificial root implanted into your jaw.
Want to learn more?
Our dentists in Cascade, Coopersville and Wayland want to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. To schedule an appointment with Robinson Dental, call any of our offices in Cascade, Coopersville and Wayland.