HOW LONG DOES DENTAL BONDING LAST?

Do you want to make some cosmetic corrections to your smile and you’re thinking about dental bonding treatment? Cosmetic dentistry offers easy and low-cost option to make some small enhancements to your smile. But before deciding if dental bonding is right for you, you may want to think through some of the details, like what exactly is dental bonding and how long does dental bonding mobile alabama last?

What Is Tooth Bonding?

Dental bonding is a nonsurgical treatment where your dentist applies a tooth-colored composite or a veneer to one or several teeth to repair cracks, chips, gaps, or discoloration. There are two different kinds of dental bonding. Composite bonding can be done in a standard visit, where your dentist applies a tooth-colored putty and sculpts it to your teeth. After the composite hardens, it is polished to match your other teeth and no one can tell the difference. Veneer bonding is an alternative option to the commonly used composite bonding where a piece is constructed to be bonded to your teeth. Veneers are either made of porcelain or composite and need to be molded in advance. The composite option is less-costly, however the porcelain alternate is stronger and therefore may last longer. Whether your veneer is porcelain or composite once it is molded and manufactured it is bonded to your teeth by your dentist in an easy nonsurgical process.

Enhancing Durability

For both the composite bonding process and the bonding of a veneer, your bonding should last for up to 10 years. The composite bonding will not last as long as the veneer, but there are ways to ensure to make your bonding last as long as possible. To make your composites last as long as possible you have to commit to taking good care of your teeth. In addition to normal brushing and flossing, depending on how much bonding you have, you should really try to avoid chewing on hard things that can chip or crack the bonding. Hard candy, ice cubes, and chewing on plastic such as pen caps are all things that should be avoided. The durability of the bonding is also dependent on the area in your mouth where the bonding is and how extensive it is. It is important to remember that the composite is not as strong as your natural teeth. If you do grind your teeth, prior to undergoing bonding treatment you should discuss this with your dentist.

When You Leave the Dentist

To really make your new enhanced smile last, once you leave the dentist you should try to avoid habits that could potentially damage the bonding. Even things like opening packaging for snacks with your teeth, chewing on your pen cap, and biting your fingernails are all small habits that may seem insignificant, but can do damage. It is important to remember that the bonding is not as strong as your real teeth. Additionally,the bonding is more susceptible to staining from things like coffee, tobacco products, and tea.

In general, you play a big part in how long your tooth bonding will last. If you avoid habits that can do damage and practice good oral hygiene your bonded teeth will last you years.

Interesting in learning more about dental bonding? read about how much bonding costs