Everything You Need to Know About Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a non-invasive cosmetic dental treatment that can help to change the appearance of your smile in addition to supporting restorative dental work. Here, our Saskatoon dentists provide some facts about how dental bonding can be used to repair discoloured, gapped teeth and restore your smile.

What is dental bonding?

Dental bond is a non-invasive cosmetic dental treatment. Your dentist applies tooth-coloured composite resin to the exterior of your teeth and then shapes and polished it to match the teeth surrounding it so that it blends in in order to creature a natural-looking smile.

We call the process 'dental bonding' because the composite resin literally bonds to the tooth.

Why would I need dental bonding?

Dental bonding is most often used for cosmetic purposes - changing the appearance of chipped or discoloured teeth in order to make them seem longer, change their shape or alter their colour.

Bonding can sometimes also be used as an alternative to silver amalgam fillings or to cover up tooth roots that have been exposed because of periodontitis or receding gums.

What happens during a dental bonding procedure?

When your dentist performs a dental bonding treatment, the dentist applies composite resin to your tooth in layers. A light is used to harden each layer.

After the last layer of the bonding resin is hardened, your dentist will shape and polish it to fit your teeth, resulting in a smooth and natural-looking tooth the compliments the rest of your smile.

How long does dental bonding take?

Dental bonding usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth to complete. Unlike veneers, which are custom-made in a dental lab and thus require more time, the bonding process can most often be completed in one visit.

How much does dental bonding cost?

Often, patients we see for dental bonding procedures are concerned about cost. Fortunately, dental bonding is an effective, relatively long-lasting cosmetic procedure. Your specific cost will depend on a number of factors, including:

Scope of work, where in the mouth your procedure is taking place and the size of the area to be bonded
Your local area - costs may vary depending on which city your dentist is in, and which dental practice completes the procedure
Insurance coverage - how much of the procedure will your insurance cover? (May depend on whether your issue is primarily cosmetic or structural)

How long does dental bonding last?

The composite resin your dentist will use during the bonding process will likely have a lifespan of between 4 and 8 years, and potentially up to 10 years.

How long the effects of dental bonding last can vary depending on your specific case (where in your mouth it’s applied) and how it’s maintained (excellent oral hygiene and attending your regularly scheduled dental visits is key).

To help your bonding last as long as possible, we recommend that you avoid sugary or acidic foods as much as you can since these can cause wear and tear on your teeth. While fruit can be quite good for your health, don't forget to brush and floss your teeth soon after eating them so that plaque, food debris and bacteria don't have the chance to build up in your mouth. Also refrain from chewing hard candy or ice, biting down too hard or grinding your teeth, since all of these can chip the bonding material.

Your dentist can touch up the composite resin and re-bond it over time, if required.