PREPARATION INVOLVED IN THE BONDING PROCEDURE

 What to Expect at a Dental Bonding Procedure

Dental bonding, also known as composite bonding, is the most common cosmetic dental procedure that is a safe and inexpensive way to repair excessive spacing between teeth, as well as chipped, cracked, discolored, and decayed teeth. Although the bonding materials are not as strong as your original tooth enamel, when the bonding procedure is done correctly, it looks and functions just like the original tooth.

Bonding for one tooth can usually be done in a single visit to your dentist and, unlike veneers, it does not require any customized fitting procedures. Bonding for more than one tooth can require several visits. As an added bonus, anesthesia is generally not involved unless the repair involves a decayed tooth.

There may be some pre-treatment teeth whitening involved if this procedure is for cosmetic reasons. If this is the case, your dentist may wait two to three weeks after the whitening process is completed to do the bonding procedure. The actual bonding procedure can generally be done in approximately an hour, with about a 48 hour curing time afterwards.

Bonding Costs

Because dental costs vary from area to area as well as dentist to dentist, it is difficult to give exact costs for the procedure. As an estimate, you can generally expect to pay between $350-$600 per tooth. Other costs to be considered are the visit, whether any other restorative or stabilizing procedures need to be done to the tooth, as well as any aesthetical procedures. If you have dental insurance, some or all of the procedure costs may be covered. 

Risks

Bonding materials are not as strong as your teeth or veneers, and can be damaged. It is not recommended for the procedure to be done on teeth in areas of high bite pressure (molars). Chewing fingernails, biting into hard or extremely chewy foods such as hard taffy's, or chewing ice or pens can all lead to chipping and delamination of the bonding material. If taken care of properly, bonding materials can last many years. If you notice any chipping or rough areas on bonded teeth consult your dentist immediately for repairs.

Bonding Steps

• Your dentist will have already done any prep for the area to be bonded, such as fillings or tooth stabilizing.
• The next step is to choose a shade of bonding material that closely matches your existing tooth shade. Your dentist should do this in consultation with you.
• The dentist will then use a tool to slightly abrade or roughen up the tooth and apply a liquid conditioner so that the bonding material will adhere to the tooth surface. This does not harm the tooth in any way.
• Once the tooth is prepared, the dentist will mix up the bonding material. The material has a thick putty-like consistency so that it can be molded to the area being coated.
• The dentist then applies the bonding material to the dental surface, molding it to the desired and proper shape. 
• Once the material has been applied, the dentist will use an ultraviolet light to harden it. This will take about 5-10 minutes or less.
• Depending on the amount of desired surface to be prepared, the dentist may repeat the application and drying steps several times until the proper shape is achieved.
• After the bonding material hardens, the dentist will then trim, shape, and polish the tooth.

After the procedure is finished, it is important to avoid any foods such as tea or coffee and smoking for the first 48 hours. The resin needs up to 48 hours to "cure" and these substances could possibly stain it to a darker color than desired, causing it to stand out from the rest of your teeth.

You may find that your tooth/teeth are a little sensitive after the procedure has been done. This is not uncommon and is generally gone in a day or two. If it persists longer, be sure to contact your dentist.

Your dentist will advise you on the appropriate brushing procedures while the bonding material is curing. 

Once the bonding material has cured, your teeth will require good oral hygiene habits. The American Dental Association recommends that you brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day and see your dentist for regular checkups and teeth cleaning.