What Is Dental Bonding?
Dental bonding utilizes composite resin, similar to composite fillings, to shape and restore teeth. It effectively repairs chipped, cracked, or broken teeth through a process called Bonded Restoration, restoring them to a pristine condition that can last with proper maintenance.
Additionally, dental bonding can enhance the smile’s aesthetic appeal by reshaping teeth, correcting colour, and closing gaps, eliminating the need for veneers or orthodontics.
How Does Dental Bonding Compare To Other Options?
We offer various options for restoring your teeth and achieving your dream smile. During your appointment, we will discuss the pros and cons of each option so you can make an informed decision.
Dental bonding has several benefits, including:
Quick and painless
Unlike fillings or dental veneers, dental bonding typically requires minimal to no drilling for tooth preparation. This means that very little, if any, of your natural tooth structure needs to be removed, resulting in a virtually painless bonding procedure.
Low upfront cost
While more extensive treatments like dental veneers and orthodontics come with a higher cost due to their personalized and complex nature, minor changes to a few teeth can be addressed through dental bonding, offering a simpler and cost-effective treatment option.
Great for small repairs
It is worth emphasizing that for extensive smile transformations, a comprehensive treatment plan involving dental veneers, crowns, or orthodontics may be necessary. However, when it comes to minor changes, dental bonding offers the simplest and most suitable solution.
The Dental Bonding Process
Whether you opt for dental bonding to restore a tooth or enhance its appearance, the process remains consistent.
During your dental bonding appointment, you can expect the following:
Preparing the tooth
During the dental bonding procedure, your neighbouring teeth will be safeguarded with a dental matrix, a thin plastic film that shields them from any preparation gel or resin. Following that, the dentist will thoroughly clean and dry your tooth and apply a mild acidic gel briefly to create a rough surface for optimal bonding.
Applying the composite resin
After cleaning the acidic gel and drying the tooth, the dentist will apply the composite resin. The resin is carefully selected to match the colour of your teeth, ensuring a natural-looking result. It is applied in layers, and each layer is cured using a specialized blue light, providing optimal strength and durability.
Finishing touches
Once your bite is checked and adjusted if necessary, your dental bonding is considered complete. As a finishing step, the dentist will give your tooth a final polish, leaving it looking beautiful and natural. You may find it difficult to distinguish the repaired tooth from the others. A note will be made in your chart, and during future exams, the dentist will provide special attention to the bonded tooth, ensuring any potential wear and tear is monitored.
Cost Of A Dental Bonding
The cost of dental bonding varies depending on individual needs and tooth examination. However, as a general estimate, the cost typically ranges from $300 to $600 or more per tooth without insurance coverage. Fortunately, many insurance companies cover dental bonding, particularly when it is required to restore a broken or damaged tooth. With insurance, the out-of-pocket expenses usually range from around $60 to $120.
When evaluating the cost of your dental bonding treatment, we take into consideration the following important factors:
- The number of teeth that require bonding
- Whether new X-rays are needed
- The quantity of composite resin necessary for the treatment
- The location of the teeth in question within your mouth
- Your overall oral health condition.
By carefully evaluating these factors, we can ensure a comprehensive and tailored cost assessment for your dental bonding treatment.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dental bonding is a durable solution but may require touch-ups or replacements after 5 to 10 years.
Yes, dental bonding can be colour-matched to natural teeth for a seamless result.
Dental bonding is typically painless, with minimal tooth preparation and often no need for local anesthesia.
Dental bonding can effectively close small gaps, but larger gaps may require alternative treatments like orthodontics.
