Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a multi-purpose dental procedure that can be used to fill small holes in your teeth, solve many of the issues that could otherwise be addressed with porcelain veneers, and protect your teeth. The term “dental bonding” refers both to the procedure and to the pliable substance used in the procedure.
Uses for Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is extremely versatile and customizable. It can correct many common cosmetic dental problems including:
- Slight crookedness
- Discoloration
- Small gaps
- Misshapen teeth
- Broken teeth
- Teeth that are too short
- Chipped teeth
- Cracks
- Small cavities
- Tooth erosion
Bonding vs. Veneers
Dental bonding is a soft paste that Dr. Kleive apples to your teeth in increments, sculpting it to the desired shape. It is then hardened with a curing light and polished.
A veneer is an eggshell-thin covering that our ceramist will custom-create for you and Dr. Kleive will bond to the front of each tooth chosen for treatment.
They can address many of the same issues, but your individual needs will determine which one is best for you. Both are color-matched to your teeth. Porcelain veneers look more like tooth enamel. Bonding is quicker, requires less of the original tooth for support and can be used in cases where veneers are not appropriate.
Bonding for Fillings
Small cavities can be filled with dental bonding. For larger areas of decay Dr. Kleive will place porcelain onlays. For very large areas of decay or in teeth where fillings have failed, Dr. Kleive may recommend crowns.
Patient Before and After: Dental Bonding
Repair of Tooth Erosion
Tooth erosion refers to the enamel becoming damaged or worn away. It is slowly caused by aging, as the teeth are subjected for longer to daily wear and tear. It is also caused by anything acid on the teeth, and there are a great many possibilities in this respect. Sports drinks and sodas are acidic, as are coffee, black tea and fruit juices.
You should avoid using any “whitening” toothpaste because they “whiten” by scraping off your tooth enamel. In the long run they create yellowing rather than whitening, because of their abrasive ingredients.
Whatever its cause, loss of enamel thickness can create
- Sensitivity by removing some of the protection around the tooth’s nerve
- Discoloration by allowing the yellow dentin layer to show through
- Faster decay by leaving the tooth with a thinner covering
Dental bonding can seal the tooth, protecting it from all these problems.
Broken, Short and Misshapen Teeth
Dental bonding requires less of your original tooth for support than veneers, and can be used to replace up to half of a broken tooth. In this same capacity, it can be used to sculpt length onto a tooth that is too short or to recontour misshapen teeth.
Small Gaps, Chips and Cracks
By building up the teeth on each side of a gap, dental bonding can fill small gaps while retaining the natural beauty of your smile. It can seal chips and cracks, protecting your teeth and restoring comfort.
Learn more about your alternatives by reading about Common Cosmetic Dental Problems.
If you are in the St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota area, please contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation and find out if dental bonding is right for you.
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