What is dental bonding?
The dental bonding process includes laying tooth-coloured composite resin over the surface of your teeth, repairing chips, decay, and discolouration. This resin also helps to fill gaps left by a cavity, therefore improving the appearance of your teeth.
How long does dental bonding last?
Dental bonding typically lasts between 4 and 8 years. There are a few factors that contribute to how long this cosmetic application lasts:
- How well you care for your teeth (by maintaining a thorough oral hygiene routine including daily brushing and flossing)
- Which areas of your mouth are bonded
- Whether you attend your regularly scheduled dental appointments (twice each year)
- Your dietary choices
How long your dental bonding lasts is mostly up to how well you care for your teeth. Avoid acidic or sugary foods, as these can wear on your teeth. If you enjoy fruit, brush and floss your teeth soon after so plaque or bacteria does not have the chance to grow.
Also avoid chewing ice, hard candy, grinding your teeth or biting down too hard, all of which can chip the bonding material.
And of course, maintaining a consistent and thorough oral hygiene routine is of utmost importance. The healthier the natural tooth material around the bonding material remains, the longer the restoration will last.
What are the benefits of dental bonding?
Dental bonding comes with the following benefits:
Changes appearance of teeth: Dental bonding can help adjust the colour and shape of your teeth for symmetrical, cohesive look.
Non-invasive: As far as cosmetic treatments go, dental bonding is relatively non-invasive and you won't require any recovery time.
Quick treatment: We can usually perform the procedure in just one visit.
Cost-effective: Dental bonding is generally considered to be a cost-effective alternative to more extensive cosmetic dental procedures such as crowns, bridges and veneers.
Long-lasting: As long as you care for your smile properly, you can expect the effects of dental bonding to last for 4 to 8 years, or longer in some cases.
What does dental bonding cost?
The cost of your specific dental bonding procedure depends on a few things:
- The number of teeth being repaired
- Scope of work, location and size of the areas of the mouth being bonded
- Your location – costs may change depending on which city and dental practice performs the procedure
- How much of the procedure is covered by insurance (this may depend on whether your issue is primarily structural or cosmetic)