Dental Bonding at Boulder Canyon Dental
Hi, I'm Dr. Amy here at Boulder Canyon Dental. We receive a lot of questions about dental bonding. What is it really? What is it for? Today, I'm going to sit down and go over some of those common questions to hopefully give you a better understanding of what dental bonding is and what it can accomplish.
What is dental bonding?
Dental bonding involves your dentist adding a tooth-colored resin material directly to the teeth. This process enhances the appearance and function of the teeth.
What is dental bonding used for?
Dental bonding can be recommended for many reasons, such as restoring broken down or worn teeth, filling cavities, or improving the aesthetic appearance of the teeth. Bonding can be used to achieve all of these goals.
What are the advantages of dental bonding?
The advantages of dental bonding include the minimal removal of tooth structure needed to achieve a great result. We're often able to utilize a lot of your natural enamel, or even all of it in some cases, resulting in a natural-looking aesthetic that goes unnoticed by others. Bonded teeth look very natural, and with the variety of color stainings available, we can match exactly what you already have in your mouth, making it a seamless approach.
Bonding vs. veneers: which is better?
If a patient asks me which is better, bonding or veneers, it really depends on their current teeth and their final goal. Generally, the benefit of bonding is that we don't have to remove natural tooth structure, whereas with veneers, some healthy enamel is removed. In some cases, patients with cavities or deeper fillings actually benefit from that removal, making veneers a better option. While it's difficult to tell the difference between bonding and veneers, porcelain veneers are more aesthetic when examined closely.
What happens during a dental bonding procedure?
During a dental bonding procedure, the tooth is first prepared by cleaning off the external surface and removing any biofilm that might be present. It is then prepped with a bonding material, which acts as a glue for the resin. Finally, the aesthetic layer of resin is applied, where we shape and color-match to the patient's desired result. While your gums may be slightly irritated during the procedure, it is not painful. Most patients request no anesthetic so they can leave with their normal smile right away.
How do you care for bonded teeth?
After a bonding procedure, you can brush and floss your teeth as you did before. There are special instructions for caring for bonded teeth. The bonding resin is not as strong as the enamel-to-dentin connection, so it's important not to use your teeth for biting nails, cuticles, or opening packages. If there is a significant amount of natural tooth structure missing, your dentist may advise against biting into apples or crunchy breads to help extend the life of the tooth and avoid unwanted forces.
How long does dental bonding last?
The longevity of dental bonding really depends on the patient. If you brush and floss daily, avoid using your teeth to open packages, and don't bite your nails, your dental bonding could last for decades. However, if you frequently clench, grind, or use your teeth on hard surfaces, you may notice chipping and wear sooner, potentially reducing the lifespan to about five years.
What does dental bonding cost?
The cost of dental bonding depends on the number of teeth and the amount of structure being covered. It can range from $1,200 to $8,000, depending on the extent of the procedure and your insurance coverage. Most insurances don't cover dental bonding if it's purely for aesthetic reasons, but there can be substantial coverage, even up to 50%, if there is structure loss due to cavities.
If you’re ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our services, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at (970) 514-0662 or email [email protected]. We look forward to caring for your smile.