It’s human nature to want to smile. Our smiles welcome others when we meet them for the first time. And our smiles can provide comfort when it’s needed the most. But sometimes, especially if we have chipped or cracked teeth, or gaps between our teeth, we might not want to flash our pearly whites. 

You don’t have to live with these dental problems, however, as various dental treatments can return your smile to the beautiful smile you once had. And dental bonding might be just what you need to get smiling again.

What is dental bonding?

Dental bonding is used to correct minor gaps and restore teeth that are discolored, cracked, or chipped. During a dental bonding treatment, your dentist will sculpt composite resin onto the applicable teeth in your mouth, creating a solid bond to the enamel of your teeth. Bonding requires little to no preparation but can preserve your natural tooth structure.

Dental bonding can be completed in as little as one appointment. The appointment will take approximately 30 to 60 minutes to bond one tooth. So if you have several teeth that require  bonding, a few separate appointments might be necessary. The best candidates for dental bonding are those who feel their smile is less optimal than it should be, as a result of small chips, cracks, and gaps. However, those with excessive decay or those who have experienced dental trauma may need to look at an alternative cosmetic or restorative dental solution.

If you’re indeed a candidate for dental bonding, you should know that the lifespan of the bonding materials will depend on how well you stick to a solid oral hygiene regimen, how well you maintain regular visits to the dentist (every six months), and how much bonding work you need. Since bonded teeth aren’t quite as strong as your natural teeth, you will need to be cautious when biting down hard. Further, smoking or drinking a large volume of dark-colored beverages like red wine or coffee can cause the bonded material to stain.  This said, you can typically anticipate that your dental bonding will last anywhere from three to 10 years.

Five Common Problems That Bonding Can Solve

As we mentioned, dental bonding corrects small gaps between your teeth and is frequently used to restore teeth that are discolored, cracked, or chipped. But there are other issues that dental bonding can solve too. Here are the five most common problems Dr. Sexton uses dental bonding to treat.

1. Gaps Between Your Teeth

Gaps between teeth are pretty common and can contribute to a lack of self-confidence due to a less than stellar smile. However, with dental bonding, Dr. Sexton can apply a dental bond to one or multiple teeth to fill small spaces in between your teeth. And patients love that since composite resin material is made to match their natural teeth, no one but you and your dentist need to know you had it done. 

2. Protecting Your Roots

When we brush our teeth too vigorously, it can lead to permanent damage to our gums and roots, which may mean exposed roots. This can often lead to ongoing and lingering pain and sensitivity. Dental bonding fills the spaces between our teeth and gums, protecting our roots from future problems. 

3. Repairing Chips and Fractures

There are many reasons we can develop fractures and small chips in our teeth. But you don’t have to live with these dental injuries. Dental bonding can quickly repair these issues, restoring your teeth to their original look and function. 

4. Changing the Shape of Your Teeth

Sometimes, our teeth can appear larger or smaller, or longer or shorter than the other teeth in our mouth. When our teeth are misshapen, it may eat away at our self-confidence and we might not feel like smiling as frequently. Dental bonding smoothes out variances in size and shape.

5. Restoring Decayed Teeth

Tooth decay can happen for a lot of reasons and is a common issue amongst adults of all ages. Thankfully, dental bonding can help here, too, since the composite resin used during the bonding process can provide strength and longevity to your teeth. And since bonding is custom-made to look natural, you don’t have to worry about it looking unnatural in your mouth.

Do you have chips, cracks, or gaps in your teeth? Consider dental bonding for a healthier and happier smile.

If you have minor chips, cracks, or gaps in your teeth, there’s no reason to continue to suffer from a smile that you don’t love. So if you live or work in the area of Wayland, Michigan, now is the time to schedule an appointment with your Wayland family dentist. 

Dr. Sexton and the team at Bruce Sexton, DDS, can help relieve your tooth pain with an oral examination, dental cleaning, and tooth bonding if it is right for your dental situation. It all starts with a consultation and a conversation. Reach out to us today.