Is Dental Bonding an Option for Damaged Enamel?

Enamel is the protective surface on the outside of your teeth. While enamel is the hardest surface in your body, it can still become eroded over time because of contact with acid that occurs in your mouth when you eat or drink carbohydrate-rich substances. Brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with bristles that are too firm can also damage enamel. If the enamel of your teeth deteriorates enough, your teeth become vulnerable to tooth decay. In this case, your dentist may recommend dental bonding. This painless and quick procedure can act as a replacement for enamel.

Can dental bonding repair enamel?

Enamel damage is generally a permanent condition. In minor cases of eroded enamel, you may be able to restore it using special toothpaste designed for enamel repair. These products contain natural calcium, which is what makes up tooth enamel. However, if the level of enamel decay is too severe, your dentist may recommend dental bonding.

Dental bonding is one way you can treat enamel that is too eroded. While the process does not create new enamel, it does cover the damage and protect the tooth from further enamel erosion. Dentists generally recommend bonding for cosmetic purposes and for front teeth where there is little bite pressure.

What is the process of applying dental bonding?

The bonding process involves your dentist applying a composite resin that protects the area in place of enamel. Dental bonding is one of the easiest cosmetic dental procedures, and the cost is relatively low. 

Whereas crowns and veneers are custom-made and require lab manufacturing, bonding is a simple procedure that is generally performed in a single office visit. There is not much advance preparation needed. Your dentist will match a resin color to the shade of your teeth, then prepare your teeth for the resin by etching them and applying a conditioning liquid that will help the bonding to attach. The bonding material is then applied to the teeth, molded and shaped to the correct form, and hardened with a special type of blue light or laser. After the bonding has hardened appropriately, your dentist will shape it further and polish it to blend with the rest of your teeth. The entire process takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour per tooth.

Dental bonding is used for a variety of other purposes, including closing spaces that exist between teeth, changing the shape of a tooth, improving the look of discolored teeth, repairing damaged teeth from decay, chips, or cracks, and making teeth appear longer. Bonding can also be used as a substitute for amalgam fillings or an alternative to dental fillings when gums have receded enough to expose the root of a tooth.

What are the limitations of dental bonding?

Not meant to be a permanent solution, dental bonding is weaker than natural teeth and is much more vulnerable to chipping or cracking. If you have undergone any kind of dental bonding procedure, you should avoid eating especially hard foods that can damage the bonding. You should also be aware of bad habits involving your teeth, such as chewing pens, biting fingernails, tearing open packages with your teeth, and chewing ice.

Dental bonding is especially prone to staining, particularly after the first 48 hours of installation. You should not consume anything that can cause staining, such as wine, cigarette smoke, coffee, or tea, for at least 48 hours after the procedure, and limit your consumption of these things for as long as you have the bonding in place.

Be aware of any sharp edges on bonded teeth or if biting down feels uncomfortable or strange. These can be signs of chipped or damaged bonding; contact your dentist if you notice any of these issues.

How do you take care of dental bonding?

Besides using caution to avoid staining and chipping, dental bonding does not require additional care. You should simply continue to follow healthy oral hygiene practices, including brushing a minimum of twice daily, flossing daily, rinsing with antiseptic wash at least once a day, and visiting your dentist every six months or as needed for regular professional cleanings and checkups.

Conclusion

Dental bonding is a popular, cost-effective, and practical way to temporarily cover damaged enamel. The procedure is straightforward, relatively painless, and brief, and the results are usually pretty dramatic, as dental bonding can camouflage a variety of cosmetic issues. If you are concerned about the strength of your natural tooth enamel or the condition of your smile, talk to your dentist to see if dental bonding is appropriate for you.

Request an appointment here: https://sonorandesertdentistry.com or call Sonoran Desert Dentistry at (480) 439-0117 for an appointment in our Scottsdale office.

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