Dental bonding is a procedure in which a tooth-colored resin material is applied on the tooth with the help of adhesives and a high intensity curing light. This material bonds with the tooth and gives a natural appearance. It is a painless procedure which can be done in minutes.
The uses of dental bonding:
- For improving the look of discolored teeth.
- For repairing decayed or rotten teeth.
- For repairing broken, chipped or cracked teeth.
- For filling gaps between teeth.
- For altering the shape or color of teeth.
- For making the teeth last longer.
- For replacing amalgam fillings.
- For providing protection to the exposed dental root due to gum receding.
Procedure of dental bonding:
- Painless procedure usually performed without anesthesia.
- Anesthesia may be needed if used for decayed teeth.
- The dentist selects the matching color of composite resin with the help of a shade guide.
- Then the dentist roughens the tooth surface and applies conditioning liquid.
- Next the tooth colored resin is pasted, molded in the desired shape, and is smoothed out.
- Now the material is made to harden by using ultraviolet light or laser.
- Finally the tooth is trimmed and polished to make it resemble closely with the adjoining teeth.
- The whole procedure takes about 30 to 60 minutes for each tooth.