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Four factors you never knew about teeth bonding
Are you afraid to even smile because of chipped front teeth? Do you hesitate to talk because of gaps between teeth? If this is the case, cosmetic bonding is a viable solution that uses tooth-colored filling material called composite resin to repair or restore a tooth or multiple teeth.
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What is bonding?
Bonding involves adhering or bonding the composite resin to the damaged natural tooth structure. Your dentist creates a conservative and cosmetic restoration of your dental defects.
There often is no removal of large amounts of tooth structure, only some surface roughening or reshaping of enamel. Bonding is perfect for repairing chipped front teeth, closing gaps between teeth, and entirely covering the tooth front.
Four unknown factors to consider for cosmetic bonding
No matter the reason, there are four points to consider before opting for cosmetic bonding.
1. Bruxism
Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding and clenching and is a common condition with American adults. It’s the condition where you forcefully squeeze the jaw muscles, leading to your teeth absorbing the forces.
So there’s the risk of chipping, cracking or breaking otherwise natural, healthy teeth and bonding. If you know you have bruxism, your dentist will advise wearing a protective night guard while sleeping to protect the bonding from the biting force.
However, if you aren’t aware of it, your dentist will find out through telltale signs and advise proper composite bonding protection.
2. Decide on the shape
Your dentist will be able to recreate your natural tooth shape so that no one knows about it. However, composite bonding may not be ideal if you don’t like your existing tooth shape and want a new shape or require tooth rotation and alignment.
Your dentist is the best person to decide what’s best for your tooth.
3. Perfect color
As mentioned earlier, the resin is available in multiple colors. If you are happy with your tooth color, all you have to do is select one that perfectly matches your tooth color.
However, composite bonding isn’t worth it if you want to whiten your teeth in the future.
Composite won’t whiten, and you will be disappointed if you first perform bonding on the front teeth and then whiten your teeth. They will not match, and the bonding remains a darker color.
You generally have to whiten your teeth before performing any cosmetic dental work. And wait for two weeks before proceeding with the procedure, like bonding.
4. Parafunctional habits
A parafunctional habit involves using your teeth for something other than chewing and speaking. Examples are using teeth to open or tear something, holding and opening bobby pins, or cutting fishing lines.
If you have a parafunctional habit, stop it after performing composite bonding. If not, you’ll end up chipping or breaking the composite material and need to restore the damage.
Cosmetic bonding is indeed a good option for restoring and repairing chipped or broken teeth. However there are these four situations where you may have to think twice about it.
Your dentist is the best person to decide, and help you decide on the best tooth repair solution.
