What Does Dental Bonding Involve?

White teeth and healthy smiles are all the rage, nowadays. Unfortunately, teeth can break down just like any other part of the body. The good news is advancements in dental technology now make it easy to touch-up teeth that are damaged, misshapen, or discolored. Read on as a Midtown Miami, FL dentist discusses dental bonding, what it’s used for, and how it’s done. 

What Is Dental Bonding?

With the daily chewing and residual food materials left behind, teeth undergo considerable stress. Over time, this wear and tear can damage your teeth in subtle ways, and also in noticeable ways. And then there’s the unexpected accident or injury that makes some form of dental restoration absolutely necessary.

Dental bonding, also known as tooth bonding, is a restorative procedure that uses a tooth-colored resin material to repair and restore damaged areas. A special light is used to “bond” the resin material to your tooth. In effect, dental bonding not only helps restore your smile but also prevents further damage from developing. 

What Is Dental Bonding Used For?

• To repair cracked or chipped teeth
• To change the shape of a tooth (or teeth)
• To fill cavities or repair tooth decay
• To protect an exposed tooth root when gums recede
• To replace silver or amalgam fillings 
• To make a tooth or teeth look longer
• To whiten discolored teeth so they blend with the surrounding teeth
• To fill spaces between teeth

What’s Involved in Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding is a quick, straightforward procedure that doesn’t usually require anesthetic unless the area being repaired is near a nerve. The first step involves you choosing a composite resin color that blends with the color of your teeth. Next, the dentist will roughen the tooth’s surface, which allows the composite resin to stick. From there, the dentist uses a UV light to harden and bond the composite resin to your tooth. All that’s left is to shape the tooth to create a natural appearance. 

Dental bonding works best for repairing minor injuries or when teeth aren’t severely decayed. Overall, people who are in good health and don’t have any major dental issues are good candidates for this procedure. If there are minor changes you’d like to have done to improve the appearance of your teeth, dental bonding is the way to go. 

If you have more questions or wish to schedule an appointment, feel free to call our Midtown Miami, Fl dentist office today.