How Long Does Dental Bonding Last?
The expected duration of your dental bonding treatment depends on a variety of variables, including the amount of dental bonding applied, the specific location in your mouth, and your personal oral hygiene habits. First, why might you consider dental bonding, what should you expect from this simple procedure, the list of benefits of dental bonding treatment, and finally, the life expectancy you might be looking at.
Some Reasons for Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is fundamentally a cosmetic dental procedure. It is nothing like treating a dental cavity, plaque and tartar buildup, or a painful infection. Dental bonding is usually an elective procedure, most often with the goal of improving the quality of your smile. Your perception of the actual appearance of your smile has an unexpected impact on your quality of life. Research has shown that if you believe you have a healthy smile, it plays a dramatic role in several aspects of your life. Your smile directly affects your personality and is foundational when it comes to your self-esteem and self-confidence. If you have a cracked or chipped tooth, a broken tooth, or if several teeth have become permanently stained, dental bonding will correct these imperfections and improve your smile. It will close an unwanted gap between two front teeth, and it will also cover up and protect sensitive, exposed roots because of receding gums.
The Dental Bonding Procedure
A quick and simple procedure that can be finished in an hour, your dentist will seldom need to apply any local anesthesia. The tooth or teeth to be addressed will have the enamel surface lightly roughed up, and then a conditioning gel is applied. Once you both choose the proper shade of white to match your natural teeth, the actual dental bonding process begins. A putty-like composite resin is gently applied to the area of the tooth or teeth to be treated. It is then simply sculpted, shaped, and smoothed as your dentist desires. The resin is then hardened and cured with an ultraviolet light, and polishing finishes the treatment. In one hour, you can have an improved tooth or teeth.
The Benefits of Dental Bonding
With one dental appointment, you can surprisingly change your smile. The treatment is both fast and affordable regarding the benefits. The dental bonding material will not be as durable as your natural teeth, so it can chip if you chew on ice, a pencil, or fingernails. You also need to know that dental bonding might stain from smoking, red wine, coffee, or tea.
The Life Expectancy of Dental Bonding
The normal life expectancy of your dental bonding treatment can range from three years to ten years. This depends on whether you have just one tooth treated or several teeth. It will also depend on your at-home oral hygiene habits and whether you watch and even consider limiting some unhealthy habits. Your dentist may apply, over time, some small touch-ups and repairs to improve your dental bonding restoration. You also need to continue your routine dental exams every six months, allowing your dentist to monitor your oral health in addition to your dental bonding restoration.
Related Article: What’s the Difference Between Dental Bonding and Veneers?