A Guide To Understanding Direct Bonding

Dentist Blog

Direct bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure for closing gaps/spaces, repairing chipped teeth, discolored teeth, and replacing the ugly silver amalgam fillings. The practice is used to give patients a smile makeover. In many situations, the process can be completed in one visit to the dentist's office. A composite or bonding agent, similar to putty, is simply applied to the tooth as it is described below.

Benefits:

  • It can be used instead of the ugly silver amalgam fillings and make the tooth blend well with the remainder of the teeth.
  • It is safe to wear and is comfortable.
  • Compared to crowns and veneers, less of the tooth's enamel is removed.
  • You can also change the shape of your teeth or make them longer if they look too small for your mouth.

Disadvantages: The material is not strong enough to resist extreme pressure. If you grind your teeth, it is possible for it to fracture. Discoloration may be one of the downfalls, but the newer materials used now are more resistant to stain than the ones many years ago. A light is used but it doesn't fully polymerize, meaning there are still more porous portions that can be easily stained. However, the polish used will make the treated area more stain resistant.

Procedure: You and the dental professional choose a composite resin that best matches your teeth. A local anesthetic is given to help numb the area around the tooth if it has a cavity. The tooth is prepared by scraping and etching the surface with an acidic gel to make it simpler for the composite to connect to the tooth.

The dentist applies the putty resin to the surface of the tooth. It is then smoothed and molded to the desired look. A curing light is shined on the treated area of the tooth so the composite can solidify and harden. The process is continued until the tooth is repaired, usually within an hour for each tooth. It can also be further trimmed after it is dried. At that point, the tooth/teeth are polished and glazed to blend in with the rest of the teeth.

Longevity:The bonding should last for approximately ten years.

Cost: The cost depends on the composite material, the procedure, and the dentist's fees.

Now that you have the facts, you can proceed to correct the tooth flaws you have been living with for years. The procedure isn't complicated, and it won't take long to receive a beautiful smile. For more information, contact a professional like Marc E. Segal, D.D.S.

Share

27 July 2016