Dental bonding often proves to be an excellent solution to a number of minor dental issues. This remarkable dental procedure relies on composite resin. Your dentist uses the composite material to cover up the surface of the affected tooth. As a result irrespective of the problems that exist, your tooth appears perfect and beautiful.
But what exactly involves in the procedure of bonded tooth? Let us found out.
Dental bonding – about the procedure
First your dentist has to assess that you are a suitable candidate for this procedure. Then you can undergo it. You have to be at the dentist’s office for it. Usually the entire procedure gets over in just a single visit to your dental practice.
The dentist first prepares the tooth for it. How the tooth is prepared? The dentist with his or her skilled pair of hands gently roughens the surface of the targeted tooth or teeth. The expert also has to carefully select and mix composite resin matching with the natural colour of your teeth. In the next step the resin is applied to the tooth or teeth. Once the resin has been applied, the dentist uses especial light to harden the bonding material quicker.
At the end of this entire course of action you get teeth (or a tooth) that is repaired of all its defects to look absolutely natural and attractive.
The procedure of teeth bonding is definitely the best possible solution in certain cases. But you should also remember it is not the universal solution to fit every case. There are circumstances in which it may not be the ideal solution. Composite resin material that takes the centre stage of this treatment is quite strong and durable. Yet it is not preferred to be applied to the teeth at the back of the mouth or the molars. The reason is these teeth have to bear the most of the pressure or chewing force as you eat. The composite has chances of wearing away fast when subjected to such huge pressure. Rather bonding is safer and more reliable on the teeth at the front. These teeth are subjected to moderate magnitude of pressure. Thus the composite is expected to last longer without a fuss when applied to the front teeth compared to those at the back of your mouth.
It has already been mentioned above bonding is suitable only for a few minor issues of your tooth or teeth. If you have any major issue then your dentist may recommend a different procedure. Dentists usually recommend this procedure to correct the following problems –
- Teeth that are either broken, chipped or cracked
- Severely discoloured teeth that cannot be whitened using whitening products
- Teeth that are slightly misaligned
- Badly misshapen teeth
- Teeth having excessive gaps in between or diastema
Dentists suggest a few tips to eat with your bonded tooth at the front. If you follow these tips your bonded teeth will not wear out faster. Thus the treatment results will last longer.
Eating with your bonded teeth – do’s and don’ts
As it has already been mentioned above, composite material that is used in teeth bonding is quite durable. Your bonded tooth or teeth can easily last anywhere between 5 and 10 years if properly cared for although it is not strong enough to bear the severe pressure resulting from the biting and chewing force every time you eat something or the other.
This is why bonding is typically performed only on the teeth at the front for any patient. Other than the issue of worn out, staining or discolouration is another issue with composite resin. The item can pick up stains just like your natural teeth. How can you keep your bonded tooth or teeth safe from staining? Here are a few tried and tested tips in the following paragraphs –
- Hard food items – you must choose your foods carefully after undergoing a bonding treatment. In other words, avoid hard foods in your diet. Typical hard foods include popcorn (kernels), candy and various kinds of nut. However it is not that you should never have any of those food items for the rest of your life. The point is to limit your consumption of those items. Whenever you have any of those foods, you should better be aware that you have bonded teeth now. Therefore you need biting into and chewing such items carefully to make sure there is no damage to the composite resin on your teeth surface. If you love chewing ice, stop that habit as well. Chewing ice is harmful not only for the bonded teeth but also for the natural ones as well. It makes the outer enamel layer more prone to cracks and chips.
- Avoid sticky foods – a lot of food items belong to the ‘sticky’ category. These include taffy, gummies and caramel to name a few. Most of these treats are sugary. So you must avoid these items as much as possible to maintain sound oral health. But with a bonded tooth or teeth, an occasional sticky treat may prove dangerous. It can loosen the bonding material. Even if you seldom indulge yourself in any such treat, make sure to avoid contact with your bonded teeth.
- Drinks that stain – a number of popular drinks we are addicted to and enjoy on daily basis result in tooth staining. These drinks can even stain the bonding material too to make your bonded teeth appear unsightly. The biggest culprits in this context are coffee and tea. Even red wine and colas should be consumed at moderate levels. Drinking through a straw is somehow helpful to avoid teeth staining as the fluid does not come direct contact to the teeth.
- Foods that stain the teeth – many of our favourite foods also stain the teeth. These food items can also stain the bonding material placed on your teeth. One of the most reliable places for dental bonding treatment near you in London is the Chatfield Braces Clinic. The practice is located on the Chatfield Road in Battersea. Dentists associated with it suggest you better avoid those food items to care for your bonded teeth. These food items include berries – including blackberries, blueberries and raspberries in particular and tomato based sauces.
A little care and concern can go a long way in maintaining your bonded teeth in the best possible condition for years together.
