What Does the Bonding Process Look Like? A Complete Guide

What Does the Bonding Process Look Like? A Complete Guide

Why is the human eye always drawn to a single flaw?

If you have a discolored or chipped tooth, you might feel like it’s the only thing that people can see when they look at you. Even if the rest of your teeth are perfect, that single flaw might make you feel self-conscious. What if there was a painless and non-invasive way to fix your flaw without resorting to expensive procedures or surgery?

If this describes you, you might be the ideal candidate for dental bonding! The bonding process is simple, quick, and painless. It is a great way to correct a nagging issue affecting only one or two teeth. 

Are you curious about the pros and cons of cosmetic tooth bonding? Read on to learn all of the basics about this transformative dental procedure. 

What Is Bonding?

If you’ve looked into fixing cosmetic issues, you might have come across porcelain veneers or crowns. While effective, these are permanent and might require the removal of one or more layers of existing tooth enamel. In contrast, bonding is a less permanent cosmetic material that bonds directly to existing enamel.

The bonding material itself is a form of composite resin. A dentist, such as Dr. Eschom, will shape and polish the resin to match the look of your nearby teeth. If you are using bonding to fix discoloration, the bonding material will match surrounding teeth instead. 

You do not need to worry about the bonding material looking out of place. Most dentists closely consult a shade guide when selecting the shade used on your teeth. You will be able to see and approve this choice before the dentist applies the bonding material. 

What Issues Can You Fix With Bonding?

Bonding is an ideal solution for many purely aesthetic dental flaws. Even if the issue only affects a single tooth, bonding can make you feel more confident.

Dental bonding can fix:

• Chipped teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Gaps in between teeth
• Oddly-shaped teeth
• Eroded enamel
• Receded gum tissue

If a small dental flaw has been nagging at you and preventing you from smiling, you might consider dental bonding. Individuals who undergo cosmetic dentistry procedures often report smiling more, both in photos and social situations!

Is Dental Bonding Permanent? 

While dental bonding will look great for a long time, it is not intended to be permanent. You can typically expect bonding to retain its appearance for five to ten years before it requires reapplication. If you do have an issue with chips or damage, Dr. Eschom can remove and replace the bonding in a single office visit. 

Because it is not permanent, dental bonding is reversible. That means that, if you are very happy with the improvements, you can elect for a more permanent procedure. Many patients do a “trial run” with bonding before deciding they’d like to proceed with veneers or Bioclear. 

The bonding adheres best to a rough surface. Your dentist may etch your teeth during the bonding process. If you choose not to have bonding reapplied, those teeth may look duller in appearance after removal.  

What Does the Bonding Process Look Like?

The bonding process is not a surgical procedure, so you will most likely not require sedation. In some cases, you may opt for sedation dentistry if you experience anxiety. In other cases, the affected tooth may have decayed, and sedation might be a good choice for pain reduction. 

For the average patient, there is no special preparation required. Often, the process will start by discussing and confirming the aesthetic changes you will be making. The dentist will select a shade of bonding to match your unaffected teeth.

Because bonding adheres best to a rough surface, the next step is to etch your teeth. This involves the application of a mild solution to abrade the tooth’s surface. Once prepared, the dentist will apply a conditioning solution to prepare the tooth for the bonding application.

At this point, the dentist will apply the resin material to your teeth. At this stage, it will be like a pliable clay material. Your dentist will take his or her time to perfectly shape the bonding material to look natural and attractive. 

Once the bonding looks nearly perfect, it must harden. This is usually done using ultraviolet light or laser. It is quick and painless.

Once cemented in place, your dentist will continue to shape the bonding. They will use tools to trim the material until the shape is a perfect match for your mouth. Dr. Eschom will polish the tooth until it looks like your natural teeth. 

The entire process typically takes about thirty minutes. You should only need a single office visit to apply bonding to one or two teeth. 

Dental Bonding Costs

Bonding is one of the most economical cosmetic dentistry procedures. It can typically be completed in a single office visit and does not require any special tests or preparation. Although not permanent, the effects of bonding last for several years. 

Many patients can pay for their dental bonding out-of-pocket. Some dental insurance plans may cover part of the cost of dental bonding. Always check with your dentist’s office to see if they offer financing options that can make this procedure even more affordable. 

On average, you can expect a single tooth to cost somewhere between $300 and $600. When compared with more permanent options, such as porcelain veneers, you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars by choosing bonding. 

Dental Bonding With Dr. David Eschom 

Dr. David Eschom is a dentist experienced in fixing cosmetic dental issues using the bonding process. He will be able to fix aesthetic issues in a single office visit. Dr. Eschom is a professional, and it’s his goal to help individuals feel better about their smiles.

Dr. Eschom would love to help you feel better about the appearance of your teeth. If you are located in San Diego, schedule a free consultation to begin the process. This painless, affordable procedure can improve your life!