If you have been told by your dentist that you may have to get dental bonding in order to repair a broken tooth, you may have a few questions about what exactly this is. Dental bonding is a common procedure that can be a cost savings option to fix a damaged tooth by filling in the cracks with a tooth colored resin. If you are considering this option for fixing a damaged tooth, you more than likely have a few questions about the process. Here are the most common questions that are asked about dental bonding:

What is dental bonding?

Dental bonding is an in-office procedure that can repair a damaged, cracked, or chipped tooth. A composite resin that is matched to the same color of your tooth is applied to the surface of the tooth and in any cracks that need to be filled. From there, an ultraviolet light is used to put on the tooth to harden the composite resin. Your dentist will shape the resin on your tooth to mimic your tooth structure so that it feels normal in your mouth and when chewing. The material “bonds” to the existing tooth which is where the term dental bonding comes from.

How long does tooth bonding last? Is it permanent?

There are a few different factors that must be taken into consideration when determining how long your tooth bonding will last. The rule of thumb is that tooth bonding will typically last an average of 10 years if proper oral care and hygiene is maintained. That includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing regularly, and going to routine dental cleanings and checkups. This will improve the longevity of your tooth bonding. However, if you do not keep up with these oral hygiene habits then the life of your tooth bonding can decrease and not last the entire 10 possible years.

Is composite bonding bad for your teeth?

Dental bonding is generally regarded as safe for your teeth. There are not any major risks that are associated with bonding on your teeth. The only thing to keep in mind is that the composite resin material is not as strong as your own natural teeth, therefore it is possible for the bonding to be chipped if you are eating a particularly hard food. Overall, bonding is a safe and effective option for repairing any cracked or chipped teeth.

Can you remove dental bonding from teeth?

The short answer is yes, dental bonding can be removed from your teeth. The procedure can be reversed if needed as the composite resin is simply added onto your existing tooth. No original enamel or tooth surface is removed meaning that bonding can be taken out of your tooth without removing any of your natural tooth surface. This removal procedure can be done in a single visit in most cases at your local dental office.

Can bonded teeth be whitened?

This can pose a challenge for the future if you plan on getting your teeth whitened after a dental bonding procedure. The resin material itself will not respond to whitening the same as your natural teeth. Therefore, you can continue with whitening procedures and see results from your natural teeth but not from those areas that have composite resin applied. It is recommended that you get your teeth whitened prior to a dental bonding procedure so that the resin used will match the color of your newly whitened teeth.

Still have questions?

If you have specific questions regarding how can tooth bonding be removed, or the safety of bonding, please feel free to reach out to us at Cavanaugh Dental. We will be happy to answer any questions that you might have and walk you through what the procedure looks like, so you know what to expect. Contact us today to make an appointment at Cavanaugh Dental or give us a call at 517-394-4040 for your dental bonding procedure!