Tooth Bonding - Eric Yaremko, DMD, PS

What Is Tooth Bonding?

We are proud of the ways in which dentistry can restore broken or decayed teeth to full beauty and function. One of the easiest and least expensive ways of doing this is with dental bonding.

Bonding uses tooth-colored materials to replace missing tooth structure or hide cosmetically unappealing minor defects in a tooth — chips, discoloration, and even minor spacing irregularities. Bonding materials are called “composite resins” because they contain a mixture of plastic and glass, which adds strength and translucency. The composite tenaciously bonds to the rest of the tooth.

Composite resins come in a variety of tooth shades for truly lifelike results. When bonding is done with a skilled hand and an artistic eye, it may be impossible to distinguish the bonded tooth from its neighbors. Though bonding will not last as long as a dental veneer, it also does not require the involvement of a dental laboratory. It’s a particularly good solution for teens, who often need to wait until their teeth have finished maturing before choosing a more permanent type of dental restoration.

The Bonding Process

Because it does not involve dental laboratory work, tooth bonding can usually be accomplished in a single visit to the dental office. Typically, one can expect the entire procedure to take between 60 minutes to an hour and a half.

First, we will clean the surface of the tooth so that it is plaque-free and ready to be bonded. We will then “etch” the surface of the tooth with an acidic gel that opens up tiny pores in the surface. After the etching gel is rinsed off, the liquid composite resin in a well-matched shade is painted on in a thin layer, filling these tiny pores to create a strong micromechanical bond. A special curing light is used to harden this bonding material. Once the first layer is cured, another layer is painted on and cured.

We will continue to build up layers until the restoration has the necessary thickness. We will then shape the bonding material using a dental polisher to give it just the right form. Once we are satisfied that the tooth not only looks great but fits perfectly with your bite, we will give the bonded tooth a final polishing.

Caring for Bonded Teeth

Continue to care for your bonded teeth as you would normally by brushing and flossing daily, and getting professional cleanings at our office twice a year. Composite resin can absorb stain, just as natural teeth can, therefore reduce the use of such items as smoking, red wine, coffee and tea.

Composite can darken, but it cannot be lightened. So if you are considering having your teeth whitened, it should be done before your tooth is bonded so a composite shade can be selected to match the lighter color of your whitened teeth. If you whiten your teeth after bonding, the bonded tooth may not match the rest of your teeth.

To ensure your bonding material doesn’t chip, avoid nail biting, holding writing implements in your teeth and anything else that could put excessive force on the bonding material. With proper care, a bonded tooth should stay beautiful for 5 to 10 years.

What Is Tooth Bonding?

The Bonding Process

Caring for Bonded Teeth

Eric Yaremko, DMD, PS

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