Dental bonding is a quick way to repair broken or chipped teeth, or fill in gaps between your teeth. It is a popular cosmetic dental procedure that is generally the most economical way to improve your smile, but it won’t last forever. It’s best for fixing smaller defects but it is generally not the only option. Below is more information to help you decide if bonding is the right treatment for you.
What is dental bonding made of?
Bonding is a composite resin, which is a dental plastic applied to the surface of your tooth, hardened with a curing light, and then polished smooth. If you keep in mind that bonding is made of plastic, it gives you a better perspective on how long you can expect it to last, and how to take care of it.
How long does dental bonding last?
Bonding can last anywhere from 3 to 20 years, depending on several factors. It matters why the tooth (or teeth) were damaged, the skill of the dentist placing the restoration, and if it is well taken care of. There can also be a big difference between dental bonding staying on and looking good. On average, patients will be happy with bonding for 5 to 7 years. Over time bonding usually discolors and darkens, which is one of the biggest complaints patients have.
Who does bonding?
Almost every dentist does dental bonding, but some are more experienced and better at it than others. If you are considering having extensive work done, it’s not a bad idea to get more than one opinion, and ask to see before and after pictures of a dentist’s work.
Will dental bonding match the color of my teeth?
Your dentist will select the material to blend with the color of your teeth, so if you want to have your smile be brighter, you should whiten your teeth before bonding is done. Over time bonding can collect stain on the surface and around the edges, which can sometimes be polished off, but because it is a plastic, the material itself can also yellow or darken. Dark colored beverages like coffee and red wine will cause bonding to stain more rapidly.
Can bonding be whitened?
It is important to know that once bonding is placed it cannot be whitened! This means that if you whiten your other teeth, the bonding will likely stand out. The only way to change the color of bonding is to have it redone. If you want to whiten your teeth without replacing the bonding, it is better to use over the counter or take home products that work more slowly so you can stop if you notice the teeth and bonding are not blending anymore.
Does tooth bonding break easily?
Anything that can break natural teeth can definitely break bonding since it is not as strong as enamel. (Fun fact – enamel is 95% mineralized, which makes it the hardest substance in your body!) If your teeth were chipped from nail biting or chewing on ice and you don’t address these habits, your bonding will likely chip too. Bonding to close gaps between front teeth that are too small to fill the space is less likely to break than bonding along the edges.
What causes bonding to break?
Besides “bad habits” like nail biting or chewing on ice and pens, the most common causes for broken bonding are grinding at night, and your bite being “off”. If your teeth don’t come together properly, your bonding will be much more susceptible to breaking.
Does dental bonding come off?
It is rare for bonding to fall off entirely. Unless there was a very large portion of your tooth that needed to be replaced after an accident, bonding is much more likely to chip than to fall off. If a very large portion of the tooth is missing and bonding falls off, a veneer or crown is likely needed to repair the tooth properly.
Does bonding require drilling?
Unless you have a cavity that needs to be removed, your dentist will probably not have to do much drilling before placing the bonding. To help the bonding adhere to your tooth your dentist will roughen the surface with an acidic etching material.
Can dental bonding be removed?
Dental bonding can be removed by your dentist using a drill. The tooth structure underneath is still intact. Do not try to remove bonding at home as you will likely only chip the bonding, and could accidentally chip your tooth.
Can bonding be used to fix a cracked tooth?
Bonding does not work like glue to seal a crack in a tooth. It can sometimes be used to cover a stained crack, but it does not repair the damage.
How much does dental bonding usually cost?
Your dentist can give you an estimate, as the cost of dental bonding varies widely. If you are fixing a small chip on a single tooth, it can be as little as $100. If there are multiple teeth involved that need larger repairs, it could be up to $500-600 per tooth. Dental insurance usually helps with the cost of bonding, and because it is generally considered to be a “filling”, many plans cover 50-80% of the cost.
How often should dental bonding be replaced?
Bonding should actually be replaced as infrequently as possible because the adherence to the natural tooth structure is a little weaker each time it is done. This doesn’t mean you can’t replace old, discolored bonding, but don’t assume you can just get bonding redone every few years. Patients will often “upgrade” to porcelain veneers or crowns when they are unhappy with how their bonding looks.
What are the alternatives to bonding?
If you have slight chipping along the edges of your teeth, you might be able to have your dentist simply smooth the irregularities to improve the esthetics. However, once enamel is removed you can’t put it back on, and you don’t want to make your front teeth too short or square. In general, it is better to add back what is missing than it is to grind down your teeth.
Bonding Vs. Veneers
Porcelain veneers or crowns are a more expensive, but much more durable alternative to bonding. Porcelain usually lasts at least twice as long as bonding, and won’t stain (although you can still get staining around the edges if you aren’t keeping your teeth clean). However, natural tooth structure has to be removed for veneers and crowns, so it is not reversible.
If you are considering having bonding done to close gaps in your teeth, orthodontics to move the teeth may also be an option. Additionally, if your teeth are continuing to chip because your bite is not ideal, addressing the cause of the problem is a better long term solution than constantly trying to repair the damage.
What can I do to make my bonding last?
Treat your bonding like it is made of plastic, because it is! This means don’t bite into anything with your front teeth that you couldn’t cut with a plastic knife, like apples or ribs. Avoid using your teeth to open packages, and avoid biting your nails. Wearing a night guard to protect your bonding can also greatly improve the lifespan.
To keep your bonding from staining, minimize consumption of dark beverages like tea, coffee, and red wine, or consider drinking them with a straw so the liquid isn’t hitting the front of your teeth. It is also important to brush and floss thoroughly to keep teeth and bonding clean.
DO:
- Maintain good oral hygiene habits (brushing and flossing)
- Wear a night guard
- Limit staining beverages like soda, coffee, tea, and red wine
- Drink through a straw
DON’T:
- Chew nails, pens, or ice
- Bite into hard foods
- Freak out if it breaks – it can be fixed 😉
Bonding can be a great way to repair damaged teeth and restore confidence in your smile. It can easily look great for years, especially if you are just a little bit careful. Talk with your dentist to see if they think you are a good candidate for dental bonding.
