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Dental bonding is a procedure that is often used to restore teeth affected by decay as well as for the repair of chipped or fractured teeth and masking a range of dental imperfections such as stains, discolorations, gaps, misshapen, or undersized teeth. A popular method for restoring and improving the appearance of a person’s smile, dental bonding qualifies as a cosmetic procedure by virtue of the fact that the composite resins used for the procedure are tooth-colored and come in a range of shades that blend seamlessly with natural tooth structure.
A dental bonding procedure, which is performed to fill a cavity or to cosmetically repair a chip, fracture, enamel defect or gap between teeth is known as a “direct composite restoration.” For a direct composite restoration, both artistry and precision are required as the dentist places the selected shade of composite resin and carefully sculpts it to rebuild or improve the appearance of a tooth.
In terms of the cosmetic repair of dental defects, the masking of discolorations or the closure of gaps between teeth, a dental bonding procedure is considered the most economical and quickest method of care out of all the cosmetic solutions available for these types of corrections. Unlike porcelain veneers or ceramic crowns, dental bonding is a minimally invasive, one-visit cosmetic procedure. Moreover, unless a cavity is being cleaned and prepared prior to a dental bonding procedure, no drilling of tooth structure and no anesthesia is required.
How is a dental bonding procedure performed?
When performing a bonding procedure, it is important to enable the composite resin to firmly adhere to the underlying tooth structure. To do this the surface of the tooth is etched and then painted with a liquid bonding agent just prior to the placement of the filling or cosmetic bonding. As the dentist places the composite resin, it is carefully sculpted to achieve the desired shape and then cured with a special light or allowed to set. Once hardened, the newly bonded restoration is polished and buffed for a smooth finish. Some dentists may offer composite veneers as an alternative to porcelain veneers, artistically bonding and blending successive layers of composite resin to transform the appearance of a tooth.
Caring For Bonded Teeth
While a bonding procedure offers an excellent and cost-effective method of care for the treatment of minor cosmetic dental issues, there are a couple of considerations with this approach. Teeth that are restored or cosmetically enhanced with a dental bonding procedure are as a rule more susceptible to staining and chipping than with other types of cosmetic treatments. For this reason, highly pigmented foods and drinks are to be avoided along with tobacco products. As dental bonding can easily chip and break, it is also important not to bite into hard objects or foods and to avoid oral habits such as biting one’s nails or chewing on pens. However, with proper hygiene and care, a bonded restoration can last for many years.
- Dental implants come the closest to replicating the look, feel, and function of natural teeth.
- With precise placement, good oral hygiene and routine care, dental implants can last for many years.
- Dental implants provide continued stimulation to the underlying bone to prevent the bone loss that occurs when teeth are missing to preserve natural facial contours.
- Since implants behave like natural teeth, there is no chance that they will slip or dislodge like removable dentures when speaking or eating.
- With dental implants, it is possible to speak with ease as well as eat and taste all types of food with virtually no restrictions.
- Dental implants do not decay and will not develop cavities.
- Unlike a fixed bridge, dental implants do not require any preparation or crowning of teeth adjacent to the edentulous area.
Who is a candidate for a dental implant procedure?
According to clinical studies, dental implants have a demonstrated long-term success rate of well over 95%. One key to the success and longevity of a dental implant is that sufficient bone is present to provide stable support for the implanted surgical post. If insufficient bone is present, a bone grafting procedure is often recommended prior to the placement of a dental implant. Additionally, candidates for dental implants should be free of periodontal disease and be aware that a continued, effective oral hygiene routine and care is necessary to maintain a strong and functional implant.
Treatment Planning for Dental Implants
Treatment planning a patient for the precise placement of a dental implant involves advanced scanning technology and software to map out the details of care from both a prosthetic and surgical prospective. In this way a case can be planned and meticulously executed from the beginning with the final restoration in mind. With advances in implant dentistry multiple approaches to care are now being offered. In certain cases an implant can be placed at the same time a dental extraction is performed. This procedure is known as, “immediate dental implant placement.” Additionally, it is also sometimes possible to place “same-day dental implants.” With this procedure a temporary crown or bridge can be attached to the implants at the same time they are placed. In all cases, complete healing and osseointegration is required before the placement of the final prosthesis.
Types of Dental Implants
Most dental implants are made of titanium but are also available “metal-free” zirconia. Both titanium and zirconia are biocompatible materials, which integrate well with the hard and soft tissues in the jaw. Depending upon the requirements of the case, a single dental implant can be restored with a crown to replace one missing tooth, or multiple implants can be used to support a fixed bridge. In cases where all of the upper and/or lower teeth are missing a full-arch, implanted supported bridge can be placed. Special implants can also be placed for added support and stability for removable overdentures or as anchorage devices in orthodontics called “TAD’s” or Transitional Anchorage Devices.
