Direct Composite Bonding: Are You A Good Candidate For It?

Dental bonding is among one of the cheapest and easiest restorative dental procedures to restore a damaged tooth. The procedure typically entails the use of tooth-colored composite resins to reshape/repair an imperfect tooth, giving you better dental aesthetics. This article will focus on direct composite bonding to help you figure out what exactly it is about and whether you may be suited for it.

What is direct composite bonding?

This involves the precise placement of restorative material onto a damaged tooth so as to restore its shape or appearance. Restorative material can be used to fill cavities, repair chips or cracks, close gaps between your teeth and build up the worn-down edges of a tooth, restoring its shape and function.

The process of direct composite bonding has many advantages. Firstly, the composite resins used resemble your other healthy teeth, ensuring a natural-looking smile. The composite resins are also usually available at your dentist's office, so they can be fitted in one dental visit unlike other alternatives such as crowns and veneers that have to be first fabricated in a lab.

Moreover, composite resins are bonded to the surface of the tooth using adhesives and a curing light, so there is minimal removal of tooth enamel to make room for them as is the case with other restorative options. In fact, the restorative material is often directly applied and molded to the surfaces of teeth that show most prominently when you smile, allowing for a minimally invasive smile makeover.

Are you a good candidate for direct dental bonding?

Dental bonding is generally suited for small cosmetic changes such as covering cracks and fractures on the surface of your teeth, as well as covering discolored teeth. The procedure can also be used to restore the shape of worn-out teeth in areas of very low bite pressure -- such as the front of the teeth -- so as to improve your bite.

If you have a tooth that has been worn out by grinding, composite resins may also be bonded to the remaining enamel to make the tooth appear thicker or longer. Due to the minimal preparations needed, as well as the lack of major invasive work, bonding is primarily suited for those who seek a cosmetic solution for slightly botched teeth that are otherwise healthy.

To determine whether direct bonding could be the right fix for your dental problem, consult a dentist, such as Dr. Jon Douglas Lesan, DDS, RpH, PA, for an examination of your teeth and gums. In some cases, pre-treatment whitening may be required to better match the color of the restoration material to your natural teeth.


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