How Long Does Dental Bonding Last for Gaps?

What Is Dental Bonding?

It is a procedure in dentistry that alters tooth shapes to repair and restore them. Dental bonding near you is a cosmetic approach that repairs teeth structure to improve the aesthetics of a smile. The treatment utilizes a tooth-colored material called composite resin. The composite resin layers well on teeth’ surfaces, creating a uniform and natural-looking finish that looks like natural teeth.

When Can You Benefit from Dental Bonding?

Dental bonding in Excelsior, MN, is a procedure that can benefit any patient seeking to improve their smile’s appearance. Ideally, the treatment protocols correct underlying teeth flaws that influence the smile’s general aesthetics. Some of the dental flaws you can fix with dental bonding near you are:

1. Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth – tooth fractures can leave your smile conspicuously flawed. Dental bonding can cover, repair, and replace the damaged part of the tooth enamel.
2. Dental cavities – sometimes dentists near you use composites to repair decayed teeth. In this case, the composites are alternatives to traditional dental fillings like amalgams.
3. Discoloration – dental bonding can cover up the stains on your teeth’ surfaces to help restore your smile’s brightness.
4. Spaces between teeth – small gaps between teeth are not because of tooth loss. They are orthodontic problems linked to a misaligned jaw or unusually small teeth. Instead of getting braces, a dentist near you can recommend dental bonding for gaps.

How Does Dental Bonding for Gaps Work?

The dentist must evaluate the gap in your mouth to determine its cause and size. Ideally, dental bonding cannot work for spaces resulting from tooth loss. Instead, it corrects spaces resulting from misalignment. Further, there should be a gap of 0.5mm or less per contact between your teeth. Larger gaps would need a different treatment protocol, like metal braces or Invisalign in orthodontics.

The initial steps for dental bonding entail preparing your teeth. Unlike dental crowns or veneers, composite bonding does not necessitate significant preparation. Instead, the dentist roughens the tooth surface with a conditioning fluid. This step is necessary to promote better adhesion. After preparation, the dentist will begin applying the putty-like composite resin.

The dentist contours the composite resin on teeth accordingly to close the gaps between them. The contouring process increases the size of the tooth appropriately to meet the adjacent tooth halfway and narrow the space between them. Therefore, the dentist would have to reshape the two affected teeth with a gap between them. Once the dentist is content with the outcome of the contouring process, (s)he hardens the resin using UV light or laser.

How Long Will Composites Last on Your Teeth?

Composite teeth are not as long-lasting as other materials in dentistry, like porcelain. However, they can protect your teeth and smile for between 5 and 12 years post-procedure. The longevity of dental bonding largely depends on individual dental care measures post-treatment. Patients who practice keenness and intentionality in caring for their teeth are likely to keep their composites longer than others. Some of the tips we encourage at Town Dental – Excelsior for increasing the longevity of your bonded teeth are:

1. Avoid hard and crunchy foods that might crack, chip, or break your composites.
2. Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth in your sleep.
3. Keep your mouth clean to disallow bacteria and acids from damaging your teeth and causing oral infections.
4. Be gentle when handling your teeth – use a soft-bristled toothbrush and apply gentle motions to brush your teeth.
5. Abandon poor oral habits – particularly those involving biting hard things. Examples include biting fingernails and opening bottles and cans with your teeth.

What Should You Do If Your Bonded Teeth Incur Damage?

The good news about dental bonding near you is that it is not a permanent procedure. The composite does not permanently affect your natural tooth structure because no preparation is necessary before the procedure. Therefore, dental bonding is reversible. If your composite teeth chip, crack or break, you can replace them without tampering with your natural teeth. Should you notice problems with your composite teeth, do not hesitate to reach out to a dentist near you for retreatment.